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Swiss citizenship

To become Swiss by ordinary naturalisation you must have lived in Switzerland for 10 years and need a C settlement permit, successful integration and basic knowledge of Swiss life, which many cantons check with a knowledge test. You apply in your canton or commune, and the process runs at three levels: commune, canton and Confederation.

The path to Swiss citizenship

  1. Check your years and your permit

    You need 10 years of residence in Switzerland in total, 3 of them in the 5 years before you apply, and a C settlement permit. Years between your 8th and 18th birthdays count double, but you must have lived here for at least 6 years. Years with an F permit count half; time with an N or L permit does not count.

    Official source

  2. Meet your canton's residence rule

    Each canton adds its own minimum stay of 2 to 5 years in the canton and commune. Zurich asks for 2 years in the same commune; Aargau asks for 5 years in the canton and 3 years in the commune.

    Official source

  3. Show that you are integrated

    You respect public order and the values of the Federal Constitution, take part in working life or education, and support your family's integration. Anyone who received social assistance in the 3 years before applying, or during the procedure, does not qualify unless it has been fully repaid.

    Official source

  4. Prove your language skills

    You need a national language at B1 spoken and A2 written level. Native speakers, people with 5 years of compulsory school in a national language, people with an upper-secondary or tertiary qualification in one, and holders of a recognised language certificate count as having proved it. Cantons may ask for more.

    Official source

  5. Pass your canton's knowledge test

    You must know the basics of Swiss geography, history, politics and society. The canton may require a test, and it then has to offer ways to prepare. Each canton sets its own: Zurich has the Grundkenntnistest, Aargau a 45-question test.

    Official source

    The Einbürgerungstest: how it works by canton, with practice

  6. Apply in your canton or commune

    The canton decides where you apply: your commune or a cantonal office. Commune and canton check your file; a commune assembly can vote on it where cantonal law says so. Each commune and canton charges its own fees, for example CHF 500 in the canton of Zurich (25 years old and over).

    Official source

  7. Federal permit and the final decision

    If commune and canton agree, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) grants the federal naturalisation permit, for CHF 100 (CHF 150 for spouses applying together, CHF 50 for minors). The canton then decides within 1 year; once that decision is final, you hold the citizenship of your commune, canton and Switzerland.

    Official source

Official sources (10) · last checked 19 October 2026