Ordinary naturalisation
Swiss citizenship
Foreign nationals who have lived in Switzerland for 10 years and hold a C permit can apply for ordinary naturalisation to their commune or canton. The process has three levels: the commune and canton check integration and send a report to SEM, SEM issues a federal naturalisation licence, and the canton then decides. Cantons and communes add their own residence, language and knowledge requirements and fees.
Life in Switzerland
Money
3
Currency
Swiss Franc
CHF
Swiss Franc
Cost of living
128
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
0.77–11.5%
Income tax (national)
VAT 8.1%
Federal direct tax only: rises in steps (marginal rate peaks at 13.2%) to a flat 11.5% on very high incomes (about CHF 794,000+ for single people, before inflation indexing); cantonal and communal taxes come on top and are usually much larger.
Living
1
Happiness
#10 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Dual citizenship for you Members
Whether this country allows dual citizenship, and what it means for your own passports
Who it’s for
Long-term residents with a C permit who are well integrated and familiar with Swiss life.
Eligibility
Residence
You need ten years of residence in Switzerland and a permanent residence permit (C permit).
Ten years
Residence needed
- You must hold a C permit
Official wording
Ten years of residence in Switzerland and a permanent residence permit (C permit).
Counting rules
Some years count double or half, and some permit types do not count toward your residence time.
How permit time counts
- Ages 8 to 18actual residence at least six years
- Count double
- B, C, legitimation card, Ci
- Counts
- F permit
- Counts half
- N and L permitsasylum procedure, short stay
- Does not count
- Actual residence must be at least six years
Official wording
Years between ages 8 and 18 count double, but actual residence must be at least six years. Time on B, C, legitimation card or Ci permits counts; F permit time counts half; N (asylum procedure) and L (short stay) time does not count.
Cantonal residence
Cantonal law sets a residence period in the commune and canton, between two and five years.
Two to five years
Cantonal residence period
Official wording
Cantonal law requires between two and five years of residence in the commune and canton.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementIntegration
- Document checklistNaturalisation application form
- FeesFederal fee - applicant over 18
The full requirements are for members
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- 2 more requirements
- 4 documents
- 4 fees
- 6 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Switzerland
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Switzerland
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyResidence permit for education or training
- Work permitsWork and residence permit for non-EU/EFTA nationals
- Permanent residenceSettlement permit (C permit) for non-EU/EFTA nationals
- FamilyFamily reunification for non-EU/EFTA family members
