87% of the permanent resident population of foreign or stateless persons aged 15 to 74 and holding a B or C permit have not applied for naturalisation to obtain Swiss nationality. In contrast, 12% have applied for naturalisation. This low rate is probably because many of these people do not meet all the requirements for obtaining Swiss nationality (e.g. length of residence).
Naturalisation applications
Length of residence
Status of application
Among persons who made a naturalisation application, 90% have been in Switzerland for more than 8 years. Only 10% of them arrived in Switzerland less than 8 years ago.
56% of naturalisation applications were still being processed in 2014. 23% of applications had been refused by the authorities. 12% of applications had been withdrawn or suspended.
Intention of requesting naturalisation
54% of the permanent resident population of foreign or stateless persons aged 15 to 74 and holding a B or C permit who have not made a naturalisation application to obtain Swiss nationality intend to do so. 35% of them have no intention of doing so.
Nationality
A greater number of citizens from EU-28 and EFTA countries have not yet applied for naturalisation to obtain Swiss nationality (92% compared with 77% for other European countries and 81% for the rest of the world). They are also less likely to intend to apply (50% compared with 61% for other European countries and 63% for the rest of the world).
Reasons for wishing to obtain Swiss nationality
The table below lists the reasons for wishing to obtain Swiss nationality mentioned by the population that have not applied for naturalisation to obtain Swiss nationality but who intend to do so.
| % | |
|---|---|
| Well established, well integrated | 35.7 |
| Security in the future | 20.3 |
| Likes Switzerland | 14.0 |
| Partner, close family members are Swiss | 7.2 |
| Obtain the right to vote | 6.5 |
| Access to jobs, access to education | 3.9 |
| Facilitate administrative procedures | 2.9 |
| Other reasons | 6.2 |
The most mentioned reason is to be well established, integrated in Switzerland. Security for the future and love for Switzerland are the second and third most given reasons.
Contact
Federal Statistical Office Section Demography and MigrationEspace de l'Europe 10
CH-2010 Neuchâtel
Switzerland