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Papers · Switzerland
Updated September 2026

🏳️ How do I apply for citizenship, and who helps with the application?

Direct answer

Naturalisation has conditions (years of lawful residence, language level, integration test, income, no serious record), a procedure (application at Migrationsamt des Kantons / SEM (sem.admin.ch), fee, interview, a decision within a legal deadline that is often exceeded), and consequences you should check first — whether you may keep your current nationality. Einwohnerkontrolle der Gemeinde (ch.ch) confirms your registration history, which is the proof of residence years. Unentgeltliche Rechtspflege (Gericht) / Rechtsauskunft des Kantons (ch.ch) advises for free if the case is complicated (gaps, a refusal, a criminal record).

Call firstMigrationsamt des Kantons / SEM
Report toEinwohnerkontrolle der Gemeinde
If that failsUnentgeltliche Rechtspflege (Gericht) / Rechtsauskunft des Kantons

🗣️ What to say

"I have lived lawfully in Switzerland since [date] and hold [permit]. I would like to apply for naturalisation. Which conditions apply to my case, which documents do you need, what is the fee and the expected processing time?"

🪜 Step by step

  1. Check the conditionsYears, language level, test, income. Migrationsamt des Kantons / SEM's site has a checklist; migrant-support organisations run free info sessions.
  2. Collect proofRegistration history from Einwohnerkontrolle der Gemeinde, permits, language certificate, tax and income records, birth certificate with apostille and translation.
  3. Dual nationality?Check both countries' rules before applying; some require renunciation, some do not.
  4. Apply at Migrationsamt des Kantons / SEMFee is due at filing. Ask for the legal decision deadline and note it.
  5. Refused: objectWithin the deadline, with reasons; Unentgeltliche Rechtspflege (Gericht) / Rechtsauskunft des Kantons helps. Many refusals are about missing documents, not eligibility.

📇 All contacts

Migrationsamt des Kantons / SEMResidence permits, naturalisationFor residence and citizenship🔗 www.sem.admin.ch
Einwohnerkontrolle der GemeindeRegistration, residence certificateWithin 14 days of moving in🔗 www.ch.ch/de/umzug
Unentgeltliche Rechtspflege (Gericht) / Rechtsauskunft des KantonsFree legal information and court costs on low incomeWhen you cannot afford a lawyer🔗 www.ch.ch/de/gerichte/unentgeltliche-rechtspflege
Ombudsstelle des Kantons / der StadtComplaints about administration, free (where it exists)When the authority does not answer or acts unfairly🔗 www.ombudsman-ch.ch

❓ Frequently asked

Do my children get citizenship too?

Usually included in the parent's application if minors and living with you; ask to add them explicitly.

I was abroad for a year in between

Long absences can break the residence count; check the rule for Switzerland before you apply, and explain the reason if allowed.

How long does it take?

From several months to a couple of years. The legal deadline gives you a lever (notice of default) if it is exceeded.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “apply citizenship Switzerland”
  • “naturalisation requirements Switzerland”
  • “citizenship test language level”
  • “dual nationality allowed Switzerland”
  • “naturalisation refused appeal”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

⏳Residence permit delay→🔢National ID number→📜Apostille→🎓Diploma recognition→

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