Third generation and other facilitated routes to Swiss citizenship

Routes

The facilitated routes

Third generation

A Swiss-born child of foreign parents may apply until age 25 if a grandparent was born in or had a right of residence in Switzerland, a parent meets the C permit, ten-year and five-year schooling tests, and the child holds a C permit with five years' schooling.
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Child of a naturalised parent

A foreign child who was a minor when a parent applied but was not included may apply before age 22 after five years' residence, three immediately before filing.
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Stateless children

A stateless minor may apply for facilitated naturalisation after five years' residence in Switzerland, one immediately before filing; any lawful residence counts.
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Believed to be Swiss in good faith

A person who lived five years in good faith believing they were Swiss, and was actually treated as Swiss by cantonal or communal authorities, may apply for facilitated naturalisation, from Switzerland or abroad.
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Child of a Swiss parent, transitional rule

Transitional law lets a foreign child of a Swiss mother married to a foreigner, or a child of a Swiss father born before 1 January 2006, apply for facilitated naturalisation if closely connected with Switzerland.
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Reintegration of former Swiss citizens

A former Swiss citizen may apply for reintegration within ten years of loss, and afterwards only with three years' residence in Switzerland; integration (if resident) or close ties (if abroad) plus public order, constitutional values and no security threat are required.
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Citizenship by law

Swiss citizenship is acquired by operation of law through descent, as a foundling found in Switzerland, or by adoption of a minor by a Swiss citizen.
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Cost of reintegration in Switzerland

SEM states that reintegration for a person living in Switzerland costs CHF 900, or CHF 650 for a minor applying independently.
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Cost of reintegration abroad

SEM states that reintegration for a person living abroad costs CHF 600, or CHF 350 for a minor, plus representation and civil-status fees.
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More guides

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Questions

Facilitated routes: common questions