Swiss citizenship in 2026: how to get it
Ten years of living in the country, a category C permit and a language exam - and the previous passport can be kept. We cover the timelines, the marriage route, the fees and dual citizenship.
In short
- Ordinary naturalisation requires 10 years in Switzerland and a category C permit.
- The spouse of a Swiss citizen can apply after 3 years of marriage and 5 years in the country.
- The federal fee is about $125; canton and municipality fees are usually higher.
- The Russian passport can be kept: Switzerland allows dual citizenship.
In detail
A Swiss passport is open to foreigners on the general terms, but the road to it is one of the longest in Europe: 10 years of living in the country, a category C permanent residence permit and an integration check carried out by the municipality itself. Swiss citizenship cannot be bought, and keeping the previous passport is allowed. The procedure is covered in detail on the page Swiss citizenship by naturalisation.
Who can get Swiss citizenship
Any foreigner who meets the conditions, whatever their nationality. The difficulty lies elsewhere: a work permit for a non-EU citizen is issued under a quota and only to qualified specialists, and without a residence permit the years towards citizenship do not run.
| Route | Main condition | Federal fee |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary naturalisation | 10 years of residence, a category C permit, 3 of the last 5 years before applying | 100 francs, ~$125 |
| Simplified naturalisation of a spouse | 3 years of marriage and 5 years of living in Switzerland, including the last year | 500 francs, ~$605 |
| Spouse living abroad | 6 years of marriage and close ties to the country | 500 francs, ~$605 |
How many years you need to live in Switzerland
Years with category B and C permits count towards the federal 10, and 3 of them must fall within the last 5 years before applying. On top of that, cantons require 2 to 5 years of living in the canton and municipality. Moving to another canton shortly before applying delays the passport: the local period starts again.
Language is mandatory. You need one of the national languages - German, French or Italian: B1 spoken and A2 written. Another condition is not receiving social assistance for 3 years before applying.
How much Swiss citizenship costs
The federal fee for an adult is 100 francs, about $125, and 150 francs, about $185, for spouses applying together. But the main fees are charged by the canton and municipality, and they are usually many times higher than the federal one. A language certificate, translations and certification of foreign documents are paid separately.
Men who become citizens at 18-24 do military service. Those who become citizens later do not serve, but until 37 they pay a military exemption tax of 3% of taxable income, at least 400 francs, about $485, a year.
The federal fee is $125, but moving canton resets the local period
The law does not forbid applying for Swiss citizenship on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fees: moving to another canton before applying, years on a permit that does not count, a language certificate at the wrong level, social assistance in the last 3 years, an unprepared municipal interview. We count your period by canton and municipality, gather the documents, prepare you for the integration check and see the application through to a decision.
The cost of support depends on the canton and your family; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
Dual citizenship
Switzerland does not require giving up a previous citizenship, so the previous passport is kept. Details are in Swiss and Russian dual citizenship, residence permits on the page Swiss residence permit, and residents' taxes on taxes in Switzerland.
There is a flip side. For those living in Switzerland under the regime that taxes living expenses instead of income, citizenship ends that regime: it is not available to Swiss citizens, and taxes will have to be recalculated.
How we help
Swiss residence permit
A basis for living in the country - the first step towards naturalisation.
Learn more →Swiss residence for the wealthy
Residence with tax on living expenses instead of income for those who do not work in the country.
Learn more →Naturalisation
Counting your period by canton and municipality, documents and preparing for the check.
Learn more →We will work out your timeline to a Swiss passport. Tell us since when you have lived in Switzerland, in which canton and on which permit. We will show when you can apply and what it will cost in your municipality.
FAQ
Can a foreigner get Swiss citizenship?
How many years do you need to live in Switzerland for citizenship?
Can you get Swiss citizenship through marriage?
Do you have to give up your previous citizenship?
Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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