Becoming Swiss: How Naturalisation Works
In short
If you want to become a Swiss citizen and you are not married to a Swiss person, you will usually use ordinary naturalisation. It runs through three levels: commune, canton and Confederation. It often takes several years. This page gives a first overview. It does not replace advice from your commune.
Federal requirements
The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) names these points for ordinary naturalisation:
- Settlement permit C. You need a valid C permit.
- Ten years of residence in Switzerland. Three of them must fall in the last five years before you apply. Years with a B or C permit count in full, years with an F permit count by half. Years with an N or L permit do not count.
- Years between your 8th and 18th birthdays count double. But you must still have lived in Switzerland for at least six actual years. Our calculator can give you a rough count.
- Language. At least level B1 spoken and at least level A2 written in a national language. Cantons may ask for more. See Language certificates.
- Respect for public safety and order and for the values of the Federal Constitution.
- Taking part in economic life or in education.
- No social assistance in the three years before you apply, unless you have repaid it in full.
- Familiarity with Swiss living conditions. Many cantons check this with a test. In the canton of Zurich it is the knowledge test.
- You support the integration of your family members and do not endanger Switzerland’s security.
Cantons can add conditions, for example a minimum period of residence in the canton and commune. The SEM mentions two to five years.
Commune, canton, Confederation
Swiss citizenship has three levels. Whoever becomes Swiss receives citizenship of a commune and of a canton at the same time.
The order of steps in short:
- You file your application with your commune or canton of residence. The canton decides which office is responsible.
- The canton, and usually the commune, check whether you meet the requirements. This includes language and basic knowledge.
- The canton passes the application to the SEM. The SEM grants the federal naturalisation permit.
- The canton takes its final decision within one year of that permit.
- You become a citizen once the cantonal decision is legally binding.
The detailed procedure for Zurich is on the page Zurich, step by step.
How long does it take?
The SEM gives no overall time. The canton of Zurich says on its page that the procedure takes about two years. A 2025 study by the canton shows that communes are receiving more applications and processing takes longer on average. Expect waiting times and ask your commune for the current duration.
Simplified naturalisation
Some groups can use a simpler procedure that runs directly through the Confederation.
- Spouses of Swiss citizens can be naturalised in a simplified way under certain conditions. Those living in Switzerland need five years of residence in total and three years of marriage.
- The third generation of foreign nationals can apply if they were born in Switzerland, went to school here for at least five years, and apply before their 25th birthday. Further conditions concern parents and grandparents.
The full conditions and fees are on the SEM pages (in German): spouses and third generation.
Who to ask
- The citizenship office of your commune. It knows the local rules and dates.
- In the canton of Zurich, the Gemeindeamt, naturalisation section (telephone +41 43 259 83 81).
- For questions about your own case, an advice service or a lawyer. We give general information only and cannot tell you whether you qualify.
Next step
In the canton of Zurich a knowledge test is part of the procedure. Try our free practice questions and see how well prepared you already are.