In Switzerland, there are three routes to citizenship: ordinary naturalisation, facilitated naturalisation and reinstatement. Ordinary naturalisation is the main route, and the one that concerns the vast majority of applicants in Geneva.
Who can apply?
Anyone who has been living in Switzerland for ten years and holds a C permanent residence permit can submit an ordinary naturalisation application to their commune and canton of residence.
A three-level procedure
Ordinary naturalisation is structured across three levels: the commune, the canton and the Confederation. The Confederation lays down the formal principles and minimum requirements. The procedure is then governed by the cantonal law of the canton and commune concerned.
Cantons and communes therefore have considerable latitude in regulating the procedure and in setting naturalisation conditions and fees. The competent cantonal authority examines whether the person meets the formal conditions, whether their integration is successful and whether they are familiar with living conditions in Switzerland, then records its findings in an investigation report.
Requirements that vary from canton to canton
The canton may set additional integration requirements. Requirements relating to length of residence, language skills, economic situation, cultural knowledge and criminal record are therefore more or less demanding depending on the canton.
- Geneva, Basel-City and Zurich: conditions barely higher than federal ones
- German-speaking cantons: generally higher requirements than in French-speaking cantons
- Aargau, Thurgau, Graubünden and some central Swiss cantons: significantly stricter conditions
Know where you stand before paying any fee
The fee remains the property of the State, even in the event of a refusal. Our eligibility review checks your situation beforehand, to avoid submitting too early.
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