Ah, to be a Swiss citizen! The land of all things chocolaty, cuckoo clocks, mountains, and the top-rated best country in the world. Swiss citizenship has been a dream of many and it’s not surprising why. But for those of us from the United States, what are the steps to officially become a Swiss citizen?
General Requirements
At the most basic level, there are 5 prerequisites to apply for Swiss citizenship as an American:
- Permanent residence in Switzerland
- Vitality in the community and with the authorities
- Proficiency in one of the national languages, either German, French or Italian
- Proof of financial independence
- Good character
The Long Process
Getting Swiss citizenship is certainly not a one-day process. It’s a long process with plenty of paperwork that requires patience and perseverance. That being said, if you believe in yourself and your dreams, it’s totally worth it!
The first step for an American is to move to Switzerland. This can be done in a variety of ways, each of which requires obtaining residence permits or visas. Residence will be obtained according to your status within Switzerland, which you will need to investigate. Once you’ve established your residence, to become a Swiss citizen you must submit an application for naturalization. Each canton (region) has its own procedure and may be a bit different from others, so it’s important to look into the local rules specifically.
When applying for Swiss citizenship, there’s a lot of paperwork and extra documents that need to be prepared for submission:
- Proof of residence in Switzerland
- Proof of good character, such as references
- Proof of financial independence
- Proof of language proficiency
- Birth certificates and marriage certificates
- A photo and a filled-out application form
The application is then put up for review and debated in the council of the same canton, which is open to all. This can be nerve-wracking but it’s also a great opportunity to make your case and explain why you feel you make a great Swiss citizen. The debate is usually followed a few months later by a decision, and then you will know if you’re in or out.
The Swiss Dream
It takes determination and dedication to become a Swiss citizen as an American, but it is possible! Imagine having the opportunity to live in a country that feels like your own and call two incredibly beautiful places - the United States and Switzerland – home. What’s not to love? So if you’re daring and have what it takes to join the ranks of people with Swiss citizenship, then bucnhre facon and let’s get started on your Swiss dream!
No matter can be a daunting process but with patience and dedication, achieving Swiss citizenship as an American is absolutely possible. With two passports in tow, you can see the gorgeous beauty of both the US and Switzerland. A true Swiss dream indeed!
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