Swiss citizenship for expats: naturalisation requirements, steps and costs
Who can apply, the language level and tests, how commune, canton and SEM decide, and the residence rules and fees that seven cantons publish.
In short
Ordinary Swiss naturalisation requires a C permit, ten years in Switzerland (three of them in the last five) and two to five years in your canton or commune. You must be integrated, speak a national language at B1 and write it at A2. Commune, canton and the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) all check your file and charge fees.
What are the requirements for Swiss citizenship?
For ordinary naturalisation, federal law asks for a C permit on the day you apply and ten years’ residence in Switzerland, three of them in the five years before you apply. You must be successfully integrated, familiar with Swiss life and no risk to security. Your canton adds a minimum of two to five years locally.
The rules are in Art. 9–12 and 18 of the Federal Act on Swiss Citizenship (BüG) and in the Citizenship Ordinance (BüV) (BüG, checked ) (BüV, checked ). Years between your 8th and 18th birthdays count double, but you must have actually lived here for at least six years (BüG, checked ).
- Permits: years on a B or C permit count in full, provisional admission (F) counts half (BüG, checked ); L and N years do not count (Canton of Zurich, checked ). See B permit requirements.
- Time abroad: deregistering, or living abroad for more than six months, breaks your residence; up to a year abroad for your employer or for education does not (BüG, checked ) (BüV, checked ).
- Criminal record: an unconditional sentence, a suspended fine above 90 daily penalty units or a suspended prison sentence above three months rules out integration while SEM can see the entry; pending proceedings put the file on hold (BüV, checked ).
- Social assistance: none in the three years before you apply or during the procedure, unless repaid in full (BüV, checked ).
- Children: minors living with you are normally included; from 12, their own integration is checked (BüG, checked ).
A registered partner of a Swiss citizen needs five years in Switzerland, including the last year, and three years of partnership (BüG, checked ). No C permit yet? See C permit requirements and B, L and C permits explained.
Ordinary naturalisation at a glance
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Permit
C
Held on the day you apply.
-
In Switzerland
10 years
Three in the last five; ages 8 to 18 count double.
-
In canton or commune
2–5 years
Set by each canton.
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Language
B1 / A2
Spoken / written, in a national language.
What language level and integration do you need for Swiss citizenship?
You must speak a national language at B1 and write it at A2, usually your canton’s official language. A recognised certificate proves it unless the language is your mother tongue or you were schooled or trained in it. Cantons also check your knowledge of Swiss life, by a test or an interview.
These are minimums under Art. 6 BüV, and cantons may add integration criteria (BüV, checked ) (BüG, checked ). Zug asks for B2 spoken and B1 written German from applicants who filed after 31 December 2024 (Canton of Zug, checked ).
A mother tongue, five years of compulsory school, or completed upper-secondary or tertiary education in the language counts as proof; otherwise you need a certificate from a recognised test (BüV, checked ). Basel-Stadt accepts telc, Goethe, ÖSD and fide, but not a course confirmation (Canton of Basel-Stadt, checked ). See the fide test guide and language schools.
Knowledge of Swiss life covers geography, history, politics and society, taking part in social and cultural life, and contact with Swiss people. A canton that tests it must make the test passable at the required language level (BüV, checked ). Zurich uses a basic-knowledge test (Grundkenntnistest), Geneva a validation test before filing, Basel-Stadt interviews and Zug a civics interview for people not schooled in Switzerland (Canton of Zurich, checked ) (Canton of Geneva, checked ) (Canton of Basel-Stadt, checked ) (Canton of Zug, checked ). Disability, illness and other significant personal circumstances must be taken into account (BüG, checked ).
Can you get Swiss citizenship through marriage or as a third-generation foreigner?
Yes, through facilitated naturalisation, decided by SEM after consulting the canton. Spouses of Swiss citizens qualify after three years of married life and five years in Switzerland, including the last year. Third-generation foreigners born and schooled here apply before turning 25, stateless children after five years. Integration and language rules still apply.
You apply to SEM, or to the Swiss representation if you live abroad, and the integration criteria and B1/A2 language level apply as on the ordinary route (BüG, checked ) (BüV, checked ) (ch.ch, checked ). As a rule, the canton reports within twelve months and SEM decides within twelve months of that report (BüV, checked ).
- Spouses living abroad: six years of marriage and close ties with Switzerland (BüG, checked ).
- Spouse who became Swiss after the wedding: the facilitated route is open only if they did so by reinstatement or as the child of a Swiss parent; otherwise the ordinary route applies (BüG, checked ) (Canton of Zurich, checked ).
- Third generation: a grandparent born here or with a right of residence; a parent with a C permit, ten years here and five years of school here; and you born here, with a C permit and five years of school here (BüG, checked ).
- Children of a naturalised parent who were left out of the application: before 22, with five years here, including the three before applying (BüG, checked ).
Three routes compared
| Facilitated: spouse | Ordinary | Third generation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permit | Not required by Art. 21 | C permit | C permit |
| Time | 5 years here, including the last; 3 years of married life | 10 years, 3 of the last 5; plus 2–5 locally | Born here; 5 years of school here |
| Age limit | None | None | Before 25 |
| Who decides | SEM | Commune and canton, with SEM’s licence | SEM |
| Federal fees | CHF 500 + up to CHF 400 | CHF 100 + canton and commune | CHF 500 (minor CHF 250) + up to CHF 400 |
BüG Art. 9, 18, 21, 24a and 25; BüV Art. 25.
How do you apply for Swiss citizenship, step by step?
You file where your canton says: online, by post or at the commune. Commune and canton check your file and agree in principle; SEM then grants the federal licence. The canton decides within a year of it, and you are Swiss once that decision is final. Cantons publish about 18 months to two years.
Cantonal law governs the procedure and may let a communal assembly vote (BüG, checked ). Zurich takes applications online, Basel-Stadt online or by post and Zug by online form; the City of Bern starts with an appointment (Canton of Zurich, checked ) (Canton of Basel-Stadt, checked ) (Canton of Zug, checked ) (City of Bern, checked ). Published durations: about two years in Zurich and Zug, 18 months to two years in Basel-Stadt, about 18 months in the City of Lucerne (Canton of Zurich, checked ) (Canton of Zug, checked ) (Canton of Basel-Stadt, checked ) (City of Lucerne, checked ).
SEM decides within eight months of a complete file as a rule, and does not take up an application if its advance fee is not paid in time (BüV, checked ). In Zurich, moving before your commune has finished its review ends the application, except for under-25s moving within the canton (Canton of Zurich, checked ). Geneva closes the procedure with an oath ceremony for adults (Canton of Geneva, checked ). Refusals must give reasons and can be appealed to a cantonal court (BüG, checked ).
Ordinary naturalisation, step by step
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Before you apply
Check dates and records
Count your years and order the civil-status extract; Zurich accepts it up to six months old.
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Before you apply
Language and test
Get a certificate unless exempt; Geneva and the City of Bern want the knowledge test passed first.
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Filing
Submit
As your canton requires. Geneva charges its fee at filing.
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After filing
Commune and canton review
Record, tax and debt checks, interviews and, where cantonal law provides, a communal vote.
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After the canton agrees
Federal licence
SEM checks the federal requirements.
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Within a year
Cantonal decision
You are Swiss when it is final; in Geneva, adults first take an oath.
Documents cantons commonly ask for
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Immigration lawyers
Gaggini & Partners
Immigration lawyers · LuganoLugano law and notary firm advising on residence and work permits, Swiss citizenship procedures and tax aspects of relocating to Ticino.
Checked by our editors · not yet confirmed by the business.
Is this your business?Immigration-Lawyer.ch
Immigration lawyers · ZürichZürich attorney practice focused on Swiss migration law: B/C permits, work permits, family reunification, naturalisation and appeals against immigration decisions in all cantons.
Checked by our editors · not yet confirmed by the business.
Is this your business?Legal XII Tables Avocats
Immigration lawyers · ZürichZürich law firm assisting individuals and companies with entry and residence of foreign nationals, permits, family reunification, naturalisation and asylum matters.
Checked by our editors · not yet confirmed by the business.
Is this your business?How do Basel-Stadt, Bern, Geneva, Lucerne, Vaud, Zug and Zurich compare?
Each canton applies the federal rules but sets its own residence minimum, knowledge check and fees. Five of the seven ask for two years locally. Zug asks for five years in the canton and, from applications filed after 2024, B2 spoken German. Basel-Stadt has charged no cantonal fee since 1 July 2026.
The table shows each authority’s own figures (Canton of Basel-Stadt, checked ) (City of Bern, checked ) (Canton of Geneva, checked ) (Canton of Geneva, checked ) (City of Lucerne, checked ) (Canton of Vaud, checked ) (Canton of Vaud, checked ) (Canton of Zug, checked ) (Canton of Zurich, checked ); Vaud’s knowledge test is noted on ch.ch (ch.ch, checked ).
Some go beyond the federal minimum. For applications filed after 31 December 2024, Zug wants five years without social assistance and children applying alone to be at least 16 (Canton of Zug, checked ). The City of Bern looks back ten years for social assistance (City of Bern, checked ). Zurich wants no unpaid debt-enforcement entries in five years, Basel-Stadt no tax arrears in five years (Canton of Zurich, checked ) (Canton of Basel-Stadt, checked ). This guide is not legal advice. Our directory lists naturalisation services and immigration lawyers.
Ordinary naturalisation in seven cantons
| Canton | Years locally | Knowledge check | Canton fee | Commune fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basel-Stadt | Last 2 in the commune | Interviews | None since 1 July 2026 | Basel CHF 800, Riehen CHF 1,700, Bettingen CHF 1,400 |
| Bern (city) | 2 in the city, unbroken | Test before filing | CHF 1,150 | CHF 400 |
| Geneva | 2 in the canton, including the last 12 months | Test before filing | CHF 1,250 (under 25: CHF 850) | None listed |
| Lucerne (city) | 3 of the last 5 in the commune | No test described | CHF 200–550 with the federal fee | CHF 500 |
| Vaud | 2 in the canton, including the last year | Knowledge test | CHF 450 + CHF 75 | CHF 100–400 |
| Zug | 5 in the canton, the last 3 in the commune | Civics interview if not schooled here | Not published | Not published |
| Zurich | 2 in the commune (under 25: canton) | Basic-knowledge test | CHF 500 (under 25: CHF 250) | Set by each commune |
Plus the federal fee of CHF 100, except in the Lucerne figure. Checked 21 October 2026.
Naturalisation services
Bell Switzerland
Naturalisation · GenèveGeneva language school offering private coaching for Swiss naturalisation: civics knowledge, Geneva specifics and interview simulations.
Checked by our editors · not yet confirmed by the business.
Is this your business?Ecole Moderne Genève
Naturalisation · GenèveGeneva language school with an individual course preparing for the Swiss naturalisation knowledge quiz and interview (A2 French needed). Website, course page and enquiries are in English.
Checked by our editors · not yet confirmed by the business.
Is this your business?Sprachschule Schneider
Naturalisation · ZürichZurich language school with one-on-one German lessons built around the Swiss naturalisation language certificate (A2 written, B1 spoken); English website; knowledge-test preparation on request.
Checked by our editors · not yet confirmed by the business.
Is this your business?Swissing
Naturalisation · ZürichZürich school running a 16-hour naturalisation preparation course on Swiss geography, history, democracy and social system, with interview training in German.
Checked by our editors · not yet confirmed by the business.
Is this your business?The Swiss Language Academy
Naturalisation · CarougeFrench coaching for Swiss naturalisation (B1 spoken, A2 written), fide and DELF preparation; online, and in person in Geneva and Lausanne by appointment. Website in English.
Checked by our editors · not yet confirmed by the business.
Is this your business?Wordculture
Naturalisation · ZürichZürich language school offering naturalisation preparation that combines German A2–B1 with Swiss civics for the canton's basic knowledge test; on-site telc/fide exam centre.
Checked by our editors · not yet confirmed by the business.
Is this your business?How much does Swiss naturalisation cost?
Three authorities charge. SEM takes CHF 100 for an adult’s federal licence, CHF 150 for a couple applying together and CHF 50 for a minor. Canton and commune fees must only cover costs and vary widely: ch.ch gives averages of up to CHF 2,000 per person for the canton and CHF 500 to 1,000 for the commune.
Fees may not exceed costs (BüG, checked ). Included children pay no federal fee, and a refused federal licence costs CHF 300 (BüV, checked ). Geneva keeps its fee whatever the decision (Canton of Geneva, checked ). Young applicants often pay less: no cantonal fee under 20 in Zurich, no communal fee up to 25 in Basel-Stadt (Canton of Zurich, checked ) (Canton of Basel-Stadt, checked ).
Documents such as civil-status, criminal record and debt-enforcement extracts, a language certificate and any test or course cost extra (ch.ch, checked ) (City of Lucerne, checked ).
Facilitated naturalisation is paid to SEM in advance: CHF 500 plus up to CHF 400 for the canton’s report (BüV, checked ). ch.ch gives CHF 900 for adults, CHF 650 for minors from 12, CHF 250 under 12 and CHF 600 for spouses abroad, not refunded if refused (ch.ch, checked ).
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Federal licence
CHF 100
Per adult; couple CHF 150, minor CHF 50.
-
Facilitated
CHF 900
Adult, including the canton’s report; spouses abroad CHF 600.
Source ch.ch (opens in a new tab) ↗
Can you keep your nationality, and do new Swiss citizens do military service?
Switzerland recognises dual nationality and does not ask you to give up your passport; whether you keep it depends on your other country’s law. Swiss men are liable for military service. Men who do not serve pay an exemption levy of 3% of taxable income, at least CHF 400, up to the year they turn 37.
According to ch.ch, applicants do not risk losing their nationality if their country of origin also permits dual nationality, and naturalisation brings the right to vote and stand for election (ch.ch, checked ). Some countries withdraw their nationality automatically; only their embassy or consulate can give a binding answer (City of Lucerne, checked ).
- Men and women: every Swiss man is liable for military service; women may volunteer (MG, checked ).
- Dual nationals who served or paid a replacement in their other country are not liable in Switzerland; the reporting and levy duties are reserved (MG, checked ).
- Swiss abroad: exempt from military service in peacetime (MG, checked ).
- Exemption levy: from the year you turn 19 to the year you turn 37 at the latest, CHF 3 per CHF 100 of taxable income, at least CHF 400 (WPEG, checked ).
Will the rules for Swiss citizenship change?
Not yet. A popular initiative, the Demokratie-Initiative, would create a right to naturalisation after five years’ lawful residence under uniform federal rules. The Federal Council and both chambers of Parliament oppose it, and Parliament held its final votes on 2 October 2026. Until the law changes, the rules in this guide apply.
The initiative “Für ein modernes Bürgerrecht” (For a modern citizenship law) was filed on 21 November 2024 with 104,569 valid signatures. Its federal rules: five years’ lawful residence, no longer prison sentence, no threat to security and basic knowledge of a national language (Curia Vista 25.081, checked ).
The Federal Council proposed rejecting it, without a counter-proposal, on 5 November 2025. The National Council agreed by 130 votes to 62 on 30 April 2026, the Council of States by 34 to 9 on 24 September 2026, and both confirmed it in the final votes of 2 October 2026 (Curia Vista 25.081, checked ). No popular-vote date had been published on the federal pages checked on 21 October 2026.
Swiss citizenship questions
Can a foreigner get Swiss citizenship?
Yes. Most expats use ordinary naturalisation: a C permit, ten years’ residence with three in the last five, two to five years locally, and integration. Spouses of Swiss citizens can use the shorter facilitated route.
How many years do you have to live in Switzerland to become a citizen?
Ten for ordinary naturalisation, three of them in the last five; years between 8 and 18 count double, with at least six actually lived here. Spouses of Swiss citizens need five years and three years of married life.
What language level do you need for Swiss citizenship?
B1 spoken and A2 written in a national language, usually your canton’s; English does not count. Zug asks for B2 spoken and B1 written for applications filed after 31 December 2024.
How long does Swiss naturalisation take?
Cantons publish about 18 months to two years: about two years in Zurich and Zug, 18 months to two years in Basel-Stadt, and about 18 months in the City of Lucerne.
How much does it cost to become a Swiss citizen?
CHF 100 federal fee per adult, plus canton and commune fees. One adult over 25 pays, for example, CHF 800 for the commune in Basel or CHF 1,250 for the canton of Geneva. Facilitated naturalisation costs CHF 900.
Can you have dual citizenship in Switzerland?
Yes. Switzerland recognises dual nationality. Whether you keep your current nationality depends on your other country’s law; its embassy or consulate can confirm.
Do you have to do military service if you become Swiss?
Swiss men are liable; women may volunteer. Dual nationals who served in their other country are not liable here. Men who do not serve pay a levy of at least CHF 400 a year, at the latest until the year they turn 37.
Sources
Last checked by the expat-services.ch editorial team
- Fedlex, SR 141.0 Federal Act on Swiss Citizenship (BüG/SCA), Art. 9–25, 30, 33, 35 and 46 (English translation, not legally binding) (opens in a new tab)
- Fedlex, SR 141.01 Swiss Citizenship Ordinance (BüV), Art. 2, 4, 6, 7, 16, 22, 23, 25 and 27, as of 1 August 2026 (in German) (opens in a new tab)
- ch.ch, the Confederation, cantons and communes Naturalisation in Switzerland: routes, average fees, tests and dual nationality (opens in a new tab)
- Fedlex, SR 510.10 Military Act (MG), Art. 2–5: military service, women, Swiss abroad and dual nationals (in German) (opens in a new tab)
- Fedlex, SR 661 Federal Act on the Military Service Exemption Levy (WPEG), Art. 3 and 13 (in German) (opens in a new tab)
- Swiss Parliament 25.081 «Für ein modernes Bürgerrecht (Demokratie-Initiative)»: Federal Council message, debates and final votes of 2 October 2026 (in German) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Zurich, Gemeindeamt Ordentliche Einbürgerung: residence, criteria, tests, procedure and fees (in German) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Geneva, OCPM Naturalisation ordinaire: conditions à remplir, updated 23 September 2024 (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Geneva, OCPM Naturalisation ordinaire: dépôt d’une demande, documents, test and fees, updated 29 June 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Basel-Stadt Schritt für Schritt: der Weg zur ordentlichen Einbürgerung, with the fees from 1 July 2026, updated 5 August 2026 (in German) (opens in a new tab)
- City of Bern, Bürgerrechtsdienst Ordentliche Einbürgerung: requirements, test, documents and the fees of city, canton and Confederation (in German) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Vaud, Service de la population Naturalisation ordinaire: permis et années de résidence (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Vaud, Service de la population Émoluments: communal, cantonal and federal naturalisation fees (in French) (opens in a new tab)
- Canton of Zug, Zivilstands- und Bürgerrechtsdienst Ordentliche Einbürgerung: changes from 1 January 2025, residence, procedure and fees (in German) (opens in a new tab)
- City of Lucerne, Bürgerrechtswesen Merkblatt Erwerb Schweizer Bürgerrecht, April 2026 (in German) (opens in a new tab)