Here, citizenship is considered in terms of the naturalisation applications made by foreign nationals and their intentions to request Swiss nationality.
Naturalisation request
In 2021, 88% of the permanent resident population of foreign or stateless persons aged 15 to 74 and holding a B or C permit had not applied for naturalisation to obtain Swiss nationality, while 12% had applied. When interpreting this rate it is important to bear in mind that many of these people do not meet all the requirements for obtaining Swiss nationality, particularly those concerning length of residence.
Length of residence
Nationality
Status of application
Among those who had made a naturalisation application, 92% had been in Switzerland for more than 8 years. Only 8% arrived in Switzerland less than 8 years ago.
Citizens of EU-27 and EFTA countries were more likely to have not applied for naturalisation to obtain Swiss nationality (92%) than citizens of other European countries (78%) and citizens of other countries in the world (85%).
55% of naturalisation applications were still being processed or had been accepted in 2021. 19% had been rejected by the authorities, and 15% had been withdrawn or deferred.
Intention of requesting naturalisation
64% of the population who had not made a naturalisation application to obtain Swiss nationality intended to do so. 29% had no intention of doing so.
Nationality
A smaller proportion of citizens from EU-27 and EFTA countries intended to apply for Swiss nationality (61%) than from other European countries (74%) and citizens of other countries in the world (69%).
Reasons for wishing to obtain Swiss nationality
Among those who intended to apply for Swiss nationality, the reason most often given was to be well integrated in Switzerland. Security in the future and obtaining the right to vote are the second and third most frequently cited reasons.
% |
IC |
|
|---|---|---|
Well integrated in Switzerland |
44.4 |
1.9 |
Security in the future |
17.5 |
1.5 |
Obtain the right to vote |
12.2 |
1.3 |
Partner, close family members are Swiss |
9.2 |
1.1 |
Facilitate administrative procedures |
2.2 |
0.6 |
Access to jobs or education and training |
1.5 |
0.5 |
Other reasons |
9.9 |
1.1 |
Tables
Methodologies
Naturalisation request: Proportion of the permanent resident population of foreign or stateless persons aged 15 to 74 and holding a B or C permit who have or have not applied for naturalisation to obtain Swiss nationality.
Status of application: Proportion of the permanent resident population of foreign or stateless persons aged 15 to 74 and holding a B or C permit who have applied for naturalisation to obtain Swiss nationality, by the status of their application.
- Accepted or being processed;
- Rejected by the authorities;
- Withdrawn or deferred;
- Other status.
Intention of requesting naturalisation: Proportion of the permanent resident population of foreign or stateless persons aged 15 to 74 and holding a B or C permit who have applied for naturalisation to obtain Swiss nationality, based on whether they intend to apply or not.
Reasons for wishing to obtain Swiss nationality: Proportion of the permanent resident population of foreign or stateless persons aged 15 to 74 and holding a B or C permit who have not applied for naturalisation to obtain Swiss nationality but who intend to do so, by reason for wishing to obtain Swiss nationality:
- Well integrated in Switzerland;
- Security in the future;
- Obtain the right to vote;
- Partner, close family members are Swiss;
- Facilitate administrative procedures;
- Access to jobs or education and training;
- Other reasons.
Publications
Contact
Federal Statistical Office Section Demography and MigrationEspace de l'Europe 10
CH-2010 Neuchâtel
Switzerland