Switzerland, 3rd June: Want to move overseas and become a Swiss citizen but don’t know how it can be done. Read this article which explains the ways of becoming a Swiss citizen:
First of all, let’s define what exactly Swiss citizenship is. It means becoming a citizen of Switzerland through any means like by birth,
naturalization or marriage.
• NATURALIZATION—
Naturalization is one of the ways of becoming a Swiss citizen. To become naturalized, the person must have resided for a minimum period of twelve years in Switzerland, out of which three years should have been spent in Switzerland within the period of five years before the request for Swiss citizenship is made. If you have lived in Switzerland when you were in the age group between 10 years and 20 years, then the time spent in Switzerland will be counted as double.
You must have fluency in spoken French, German, Romansch or Italian and exhibit —–
1. Familiarity with the customs, habits and traditions of Switzerland;
2. Successful integration into the lifestyle of Switzerland;
3. Total compliance with the various legal rules of Switzerland;
4. Should not be a danger to the external/internal security of Switzerland.
In addition, every municipality and canton has its own requirements to be followed strictly.
• BIRTH—
Any person is regarded to be a citizen of Switzerland if he is —
1. Born to a mother or father who are Swiss(provided parents are married)
2. Born to a mother who is Swiss(in case, parents have not entered into marriage)
However, in case, parents marry after the birth of the child and the father of the child is a Swiss, then the child will become a Swiss citizen at that time.
Moreover, being born in Switzerland does not entitle Swiss citizenship to the child.
• MARRIAGE—
Any person married to a spouse who is a citizen of Switzerland can make application for Swiss citizenship by way of facilitated naturalization after spending a minimum of five years in Switzerland and having married for a minimum of three years.
You need to show –
1. Successful integration into Swiss lifestyle;
2. Complete compliance with laws of the country; and
3. No danger to the external or internal security of the nation.
All children born from the previous relationship of the person are granted Swiss citizenship along with their partner.