What Naturalisation Costs in the Canton of Zurich
Three levels, three fees
For ordinary naturalisation in the canton of Zurich you pay the Confederation, the canton and your commune. Then there are the costs of the language proof and the knowledge test. The canton says the fees of the canton and the Confederation are fixed. Each commune sets its own fee.
Overview (in CHF)
| Who | Confederation (SEM) | Canton of Zurich | Commune |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults aged 25 and over | 100 | 500 | set by the commune |
| Couple, joint application | 150 | 500 | set by the commune |
| Under 25 | 100 (under 18: 50) | 250 | half the communal fee |
| Under 20 (applications from July 2023) | 100 (under 18: 50) | free | free |
| Children included in a parent’s application | free | free | free |
| Application is rejected | 300 | 200 | the commune’s fee |
Source: the canton of Zurich’s fee table. The SEM gives the federal fee as CHF 100 per adult, CHF 150 per couple, and CHF 50 for minors who apply on their own. Check the canton’s current table before you apply.
Communal fees
Communes set the fee themselves. A 2025 study by the canton shows, for people aged 25 and over: the fee is most often between CHF 400 and 600. Overall it ranges from CHF 200 to CHF 2,400. Your commune will tell you the exact amount. Not every commune publishes it online.
Language test
The cost depends on the proof.
- fide test: whole test CHF 250, oral part only CHF 170, written part only CHF 120. These are the prices on fide’s page.
- Cantonal German Test and other certificates: the canton says fees differ by commune and language school. We found no single price. Ask your commune.
Knowledge test
The canton gives no amount. The cost depends on the commune and the provider. Ask your commune.
Are fees refunded?
We found no general refund rule on the pages of the Confederation or the canton. The canton’s fee table shows that fees are charged even when an application is rejected. So expect that fees you have paid are not returned if the application fails, and ask your commune before you file.
Other procedures
Simplified naturalisation of a spouse living in Switzerland costs CHF 900 at federal level. It is paid in advance and is not refunded. See the SEM for details.
Next step
Fees are only part of the cost. With the free questions you can see how ready you are for the knowledge test before you spend money on it.