# Switzerland Citizenship Requirements

Ordinary Swiss naturalisation combines federal residence and language conditions with cantonal and communal requirements and a permanent residence permit.

Scope: Selected ordinary naturalisation conditions for applications under the system effective from 1 January 2018; simplified family and restoration routes are separate.

Jurisdiction: Switzerland: federal, cantonal and communal citizenship. Sources reviewed 2026-09-17; review due 2026-12-16.

General information, not legal advice or a finding of eligibility. Requirements depend on the route, applicant and filing date. Verify the official instructions before applying.

## Ten years and a C permit

The ordinary route requires ten qualifying years, including three of the preceding five, and a C permanent residence permit. Qualifying residence between ages eight and eighteen counts double, but actual residence must still reach six years.

Evidence: conditional. [Swiss State Secretariat for Migration: FAQ: Swiss citizenship, applications from 1 January 2018](https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/de/home/integration-einbuergerung/schweizer-werden/faq.html); [Swiss State Secretariat for Migration: Ordinary naturalisation](https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/integration-einbuergerung/schweizer-werden/ordentlich.html). Source location: Ordinary naturalisation: when to apply; Article 9; federal requirements.

## Not every permit counts equally

B and C permits and FDFA legitimation or Ci documents count; F-permit time counts half. N asylum-procedure and L short-stay periods do not count. Local residence requirements add two to five years depending on canton and commune.

Evidence: conditional. [Swiss State Secretariat for Migration: Ordinary naturalisation](https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/integration-einbuergerung/schweizer-werden/ordentlich.html). Source location: Federal and cantonal law requirements.

## B1 oral language skills

Federal rules require oral skills of at least CEFR B1 in a Swiss national language. Cantons can require more; attendance certificates and online placement tests alone are insufficient evidence.

Evidence: conditional. [Swiss State Secretariat for Migration: FAQ: Swiss citizenship, applications from 1 January 2018](https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/de/home/integration-einbuergerung/schweizer-werden/faq.html). Source location: Ordinary naturalisation: required language skills, Article 6 ordinance.

## A2 written skills and accommodations

The federal written-skills minimum is CEFR A2. Serious illness, disability or pronounced learning or literacy difficulties require supporting evidence; the authority decides how personal circumstances are accommodated.

Evidence: conditional. [Swiss State Secretariat for Migration: FAQ: Swiss citizenship, applications from 1 January 2018](https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/de/home/integration-einbuergerung/schweizer-werden/faq.html). Source location: Ordinary naturalisation: language requirements and medical-evidence question.

## Integration and local approval

Authorities assess integration, familiarity with Swiss life and security. Canton-specific conditions also matter. A federal licence precedes the final cantonal decision; citizenship follows when that decision is legally binding.

Evidence: conditional. [Swiss State Secretariat for Migration: Ordinary naturalisation](https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/integration-einbuergerung/schweizer-werden/ordentlich.html). Source location: Federal naturalisation licence; cantonal naturalisation decision.

## Swiss law permits dual nationality

Swiss naturalisation does not require renouncing the prior citizenship under Swiss law. The other country's law can still cause its loss, so both legal systems must be checked.

Evidence: conditional. [Swiss State Secretariat for Migration: Dual nationality](https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/integration-einbuergerung/schweizer-werden/doppelbuerger.html). Source location: Opening guidance on acquiring Swiss citizenship.

## Scope and limitations

- Federal minimums are not a complete cantonal or communal application checklist. Ask the authority where you live about accepted proof and extra requirements.
- Residence eligibility is not processing time or a guarantee of approval; simplified routes require separate assessment.

## Explore this passport

- [Passport rank and travel access](https://multipassrank.com/passport/switzerland)
- [Tax residence & income](https://multipassrank.com/passport/switzerland/taxes)
- [Country-profile JSON, including sources and scoped requirements](https://multipassrank.com/api/v1/country-profiles/CH)
- [Multiple-citizenship policy guide](https://multipassrank.com/dual-citizenship-countries)

[Canonical page](https://multipassrank.com/passport/switzerland/citizenship)