Swiss citizenship for Brits: ten years, three tiers of government and a test on your Gemeinde
Switzerland makes you earn it. Ordinary naturalisation needs ten years' residence, a C permit, good German and the approval of your commune, the canton and the federal government, in that order.
The short version
- You need a C permit and ten years in Switzerland, including three of the five years before you apply. Years between ages 8 and 18 count double [1][2].
- In the canton of Zurich you also need two years in the same commune, German at B1 level spoken and A2 written, and a pass in the knowledge test (Grundkenntnistest) [2][3].
- Zurich charges a cantonal fee of CHF 500 (about £455) for adults over 25, plus a communal fee and a small federal fee [1][2].
- It takes about two years from application to decision in Zurich [2].
- Switzerland and the UK both allow dual nationality, so you keep your British passport [4].
Who can apply
The federal rules are the floor; cantons and communes add their own on top. The SEM sets out the federal basics [1]:
- A C permit. You must hold a settlement permit when you apply.
- Ten years' residence. B and C years count in full, F years count half, and L or N years don't count at all. Years between 8 and 18 count double, but you must have actually lived in Switzerland for at least six years.
- Integration. You must be successfully integrated and familiar with the Swiss way of life, and not a threat to security.
The C permit is where Brits have an edge. The canton of Zurich lists the UK among the countries with a settlement treaty, so British nationals can usually get a C after five years rather than ten [5]. That doesn't shorten the ten-year residence rule for citizenship, but it means the C permit is rarely what holds you up. Our guide to Swiss permits for Brits explains the route.
If you spent years on L permits, check your count carefully: those years don't count [1].
Zurich's extra requirements
The canton of Zurich sets out its own list for ordinary naturalisation [2]:
| Requirement | What Zurich asks |
|---|---|
| Residence in Switzerland | 10 years, 3 of them in the last 5 [2] |
| Residence in the commune | At least 2 years in the same Gemeinde before you apply; under-25s need only 2 years in the canton [2] |
| German | B1 spoken, A2 written [2] |
| Knowledge | Swiss, cantonal and local geography, politics, history and society, usually tested [2][3] |
| Social assistance | None in the last 3 years, and none now, with some exceptions [2] |
| Criminal record | No relevant entries and no open proceedings [2] |
| Debts | No unpaid entries in the debt enforcement register for 5 years [2] |
The debt rule catches people out. A forgotten parking fine or a disputed bill that reaches the Betreibungsregister can stall your application, so keep your paperwork as tidy as a Swiss recycling shed.
The German test
Zurich wants proof of B1 spoken and A2 written German. The canton runs its own test, the Kantonaler Deutschtest (KDE), and recognised certificates also count [2][5]. B1 means you can hold a conversation about everyday life; A2 written is a simple letter or form. Swiss German dialect isn't required, which will come as a relief to anyone who's tried to follow a conversation in a Zurich Beiz.
The knowledge test
The Grundkenntnistest covers geography, politics and history, at Swiss, cantonal and local level [3]. The canton publishes the whole question list as a PDF, along with a practice test and a free 76-page citizenship brochure, so you can revise properly [3]. You're exempt if you're at school in Switzerland or finished enough Swiss schooling, and under-12s don't take it [3]. Fees vary by commune and test provider [3].
How the process works
Zurich runs it in five stages [2]:
- Preliminary check by the cantonal Gemeindeamt, where you submit your application.
- Commune review. Your Gemeinde assesses you, often with an interview, and grants communal citizenship.
- Canton review. The Gemeindeamt checks again and grants cantonal citizenship.
- Federal approval. The SEM issues the federal naturalisation licence.
- Final decision. The Gemeindeamt grants Swiss citizenship.
The canton must decide within a year of the federal licence, or the licence lapses [1]. Overall, Zurich says ordinary naturalisation takes about two years [2]. You'll end up with a commune of origin (Bürgerort) as well, which Swiss people list on their passports the way Brits might mention their home town.
What it costs
| Fee | Amount | In pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Canton of Zurich, adults over 25 | CHF 500 [2] | about £455 |
| Canton of Zurich, under 25 | CHF 250 [2] | about £228 |
| Canton of Zurich, under 20 (applications from July 2023) | Free [2] | £0 |
| Canton of Zurich, if refused | CHF 200 [2] | about £182 |
| Federal fee, one adult | CHF 100 [1] | about £91 |
| Federal fee, spouses applying together | CHF 150 [1] | about £137 |
| Communal fee | Set by each commune; ch.ch puts the average at CHF 500 to 1,000 per person [4] | about £455–910 |
Pound conversions use the Bank of England spot rate of 5 November 2026 (£1 = CHF 1.0976). Add the cost of documents such as the criminal record and debt register extracts, plus the German and knowledge tests.
Married to a Swiss citizen?
Spouses of Swiss citizens can use simplified naturalisation, handled by the SEM. In Zurich's summary, you need at least three years of marriage and five years living in Switzerland [6]. Spouses living abroad can apply after six years of marriage [6]. The federal fee is CHF 900 for adults (about £820), paid up front and not refunded if you're refused, and it takes about a year and a half on average [4].
Keeping your British passport
The FCDO confirms that Switzerland recognises dual citizenship with the UK, so you don't have to give up being British [4][7]. A few practical points:
- Travel. Dual nationals should enter and leave Switzerland on their Swiss passport, and carry a valid British passport (or a certificate of entitlement) when travelling to the UK [7].
- Votes. Swiss citizenship gives you the right to vote and stand for election at every level [4], on top of any UK votes for life.
- Children. Swiss citizenship passes mainly by descent, not by birth in Switzerland, so check your children's British status too. Our guide to registering a child born abroad explains citizenship by descent.
- Military service. Younger naturalised men can become liable for Swiss military or civil service, or the tax paid in lieu. Check with your canton before applying if this could affect you.
Ten years is a long time to wait, so it helps to hear from people who've done it. Our community group for Brits in Switzerland has a few freshly minted Swiss among them.
Sources
- SEM: Ordinary naturalisation (last modified 31 July 2026)
- Canton of Zurich: Ordentliche Einbürgerung (2 July 2026)
- Canton of Zurich: Grundkenntnistest (15 October 2026)
- ch.ch: Naturalisation (checked 7 November 2026)
- Canton of Zurich: Niederlassungsbewilligung (C permit) (8 December 2025)
- Canton of Zurich: Einbürgerung (checked 7 November 2026)
- GOV.UK (FCDO): Living in Switzerland (last updated 24 December 2025)