If you’re looking for visa-free travel to 155 countries, access to some of the best healthcare in the world, and the right to stand for public office, then Switzerland citizenship is for you. However, this status comes with its own set of obligations, especially military service for male Swiss nationals.
How to Get Citizenship
The first step in becoming a Swiss citizen is to obtain a permanent residence permit, which you will need to be able to live and work in Switzerland legally. It’s called a “C” permit and it can be obtained from your canton or commune’s migration office.
You can also acquire Swiss citizenship through naturalization. This involves a multi-step process that varies considerably between the different Swiss cantons and communes.
Applicants are asked to demonstrate that they’ve integrated into Swiss society, are familiar with Swiss culture, customs and traditions, and are not a threat to Switzerland’s internal or external security. They must also comply with Swiss law and have no criminal records.
To become a Swiss citizen through naturalization, you must be a resident in Switzerland for at least ten years and have completed an application to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). The SEM will assess whether you’ve demonstrated that you’ve integrated into Swiss society, are familiar and assimilated with Swiss habits, customs and traditions, and have no threat to Switzerland’s internal or external security.