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SWISS CITIZENSHIP

EXPLAINED: Why ‘simplified’ Swiss naturalisation is actually not that simple

In Switzerland, the simplified naturalisation process is open to foreign spouses of Swiss citizens or third-generation foreigners. Everyone else has to go through the regular citizenship procedure.

EXPLAINED: Why ‘simplified’ Swiss naturalisation is actually not that simple
Getting naturalised in Switzerland is not simple. photo by Photo by STEFAN WERMUTH / AFP

In many countries where citizenship is granted at birth, the notion of ‘third-generation foreigners’ is an odd one.

But not in Switzerland.

As explained by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), third-generation refers to “foreign citizen whose grandparents emigrated to Switzerland”.

SEM specifies who fits into this category:

  • At least one of your grandparents was born in Switzerland and can be proven to have acquired a right of residence here.
  • At least one parent (has) acquired a permanent residence permit, (has) lived for at least ten years in Switzerland and attended compulsory schooling in Switzerland for at least five years.
  • You were born in Switzerland and hold a permanent residence permit.
  • You have attended compulsory schooling for at least five years in Switzerland.
  • You are successfully integrated.

In addition, the third-generation person must file an application for citizenship before their 25th birthday.

“If you submit the application after your 25th birthday but otherwise meet all the requirements, you can apply for simplified naturalisation until 15 February 2023 provided you will still be under the age of 40 on that date”, SEM said.

READ MORE: I thought I was Swiss? How being mistaken as a national can put you on the road to citizenship

What is involved in ‘simplified naturalisation’ for third-generation foreigners?

Unlike the simplified procedure that applies to foreign spouses of Swiss citizens, the one for the third-generation is comparatively more onerous —though not as strict as the ‘ordinary’ process for all the other foreign nationals.

On February 12, 2017, 60.4 percent of voters approved the new law on facilitated naturalisation aimed to make it easier for some 25,000 third-generation foreigners to obtain the Swiss passport.

Three years after its entry into force, only 1,868 people have applied for citizenship.

READ MORE: Will Swiss-born foreigners be granted automatic citizenship?

Why so few?

That’s because in reality, simplified naturalisation is not that simple.

On the plus side, the procedures are faster and cheaper, and there is no need to go through all the steps required for ‘ordinary’ citizenships, including taking a difficult test.

But among the required conditions, it must be established “in a probable manner” that at least one of the applicant’s grandparents was born in Switzerland or that he or she acquired a right of residence in Switzerland.

“Imagine that you have to find this in undigitalised document of your deceased grandmother”,  Walter Leimgruber, chairman of the Federal Migration Commission told Tribune de Genève (TDG) newspaper on Tuesday.

Another difficulty is that proof must also be given that at least one of the applicant’s parents has completed at least five years of compulsory education in Switzerland.

“Many first-generation seasonal workers were only allowed to bring their children to Switzerland when they were young,” Leimgruber said.

This means some parents of the present-day third-generation foreigners did not attend schools in the country.

Because of these difficulties in obtaining the necessary proof, “many people start the process of simplified naturalisation and then give up in frustration”, he added.

Aware of this paradox, the Committee on Political Institutions of the National Council will soon look into the question, Leimgruber said.

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For members

LIVING IN SWITZERLAND

Six things to consider before you move to Switzerland

Before you move to Switzerland, you probably have a certain image in your head of what this country is like — most likely based on stereotypes. But before you come to live here, ask yourself some questions about what you might experience here.

Six things to consider before you move to Switzerland

Sure, there is cheese and chocolate, the Alps, and stunning landscapes practically everywhere you go.

There are also (comparably) high salaries, an enviable quality of life, and great infrastructure.

Those are some of the things that attract foreigners to Switzerland, but do they actually take a sober look at all the aspects of living in this country, and decide whether they can handle them?

Consider these before you decide to move here:

Three languages

When it comes to languages, Switzerland beats all other countries.

It has not just one official language (like most places) or two (like Belgium and Canada) but FOUR — German, French, Italian, and Romansh.

True, you don’t have to learn all the languages, but only the one that’s spoken in your canton of residence.

But learn you must if you want to obtain (and maintain) your work permit.

You must speak the language at an A1 elementary level for temporary admission or residence permit.

In other words, you can’t hope to keep your permit if you depend only on English to get around.

READ ALSO: Can you get by in Switzerland with just English?

Cost of living

Yes, Swiss wages are higher than elsewhere in Europe, and in many other countries as well.

And if your income is higher than the median (currently 6,665 francs a month), then you can likely afford to live comfortably in this expensive country.

Otherwise — and depending on your spending habits — you may have problems making ends meet.

As someone pointed out to us, “A Swiss wage is only high in other countries. The only place where it is not high is Switzerland.”

So crunch your numbers carefully before you decide to settle here.

Health insurance

On the positive side, the quality of healthcare in Switzerland is excellent.

However, it does come at a hefty price, which is reflected in the high health insurance premiums.

This insurance is obligatory, so you have no choice but to purchase a policy from one of dozens of private providers — and that can be expensive.

So if you come from a country where the health insurance is tax-supported (EU) or not compulsory (US), then the price of Switzerland’s plans will come as a shock to you.

Recycling culture

That’s definitely a biggie.

Switzerland has strict garbage disposal and recyling rules, so if you come from a country where trash is thrown out any each way, then you could have a hard time getting used to the Swiss system.

You may be even more shocked to learn (hopefully, not through experience) that ‘garbage inspectors’ actually sift through your trash and will fine you if they discover something in there that wasn’t properly disposed of — as this foreign resident of Zurich has found

Difficult to make friends

One negative side that many international residents have experienced, is that it is not easy to make Swiss friends.

Anecdotal evidence has it that locals often snub foreigners, and it takes a long time, and jumping through a lot of hoops, to be accepted by them.

Whether it’s because they are wary of strangers or because they value privacy is not certain. But the lesson here is: don’t expect social interactions with the Swiss the minute you step foot on their soil — if ever.

Silent Sundays

Not only are the vast majority of shops closed on Sundays, but being designated as ‘rest days’, Sundays in Switzerland are noise-free.

On those days, the Swiss expect everyone – except possibly newborns – to switch to a silent-mode for the entire day.

You can’t use your lawn mower, make repairs with a jackhammer, or emanate any other noise that can annoy your neighbours — who are in their right to call the police on you (and will).

READ ALSO: Six things you shouldn’t do on a Sunday in Switzerland 

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