Reference work
Glossary: Swiss naturalisation from A to Z
Settlement permit, concordance, Landsgemeinde? Sounds more complicated than it is. Here you will find every term explained simply.
A
AHV
Old Age and Survivors' Insurance. Switzerland's state pension scheme, the 1st pillar. Anyone living or working in Switzerland pays AHV contributions from the age of 20. As a pensioner you receive a monthly AHV pension.
C
Citizenship Act
The federal law governing naturalisation. The current version has been in force since 2018 and sets out the requirements for ordinary and facilitated naturalisation.
Confederation
The official name of Switzerland: Swiss Confederation. It goes back to the Rütli Oath of 1291, when the three founding cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden formed an alliance.
Concordance
The Swiss principle of including all major parties in government instead of having an opposition. The "magic formula" divides the 7 Federal Council seats among the largest parties.
Council of States
The small chamber of parliament with 46 seats. Each canton has 2 seats, half-cantons 1 each. It represents the interests of the cantons at federal level.
D
Dual citizenship
Holding two citizenships at the same time. Switzerland has allowed this without restrictions since 1992. Whether your country of origin also allows it is another matter.
F
Federal Council
Switzerland's government consists of 7 Federal Councillors (ministers). Each heads a department. The Federal President changes annually and is not a head of state in the classic sense, but "first among equals".
Federal Assembly
The Swiss parliament, made up of two chambers: the National Council (200 members, by population) and the Council of States (46 members, 2 per canton). Together they elect the Federal Council.
Facilitated naturalisation
A faster procedure for certain people: spouses of Swiss citizens (3 years of marriage, 5 years of residence), 3rd-generation foreigners or stateless persons. Costs CHF 900 at federal level.
fide language certificate
A language test designed specifically for Switzerland. It tests everyday situations such as shopping, visiting the doctor or dealing with authorities. It is accepted for naturalisation as proof of B1 spoken and A2 written level.
Federalism
The principle that the Confederation, cantons and municipalities each have their own tasks and powers. Switzerland is one of the most federalist states in the world. Cantons have their own constitutions, courts and tax laws.
Four national languages
German (~63%), French (~23%), Italian (~8%) and Romansh (~0.5%). Romansh is an official language only in the canton of Graubünden, and at federal level only in dealings with Romansh speakers.
L
Landsgemeinde
Public assembly of all eligible voters in a square, who vote by a show of hands. Today it only still exists in Glarus and Appenzell Innerrhoden.
M
Municipal assembly
In smaller municipalities, eligible voters decide directly at the assembly on budget, taxes and naturalisations. In larger municipalities, a municipal parliament takes this over.
Mandatory referendum
For constitutional amendments, the people must vote automatically. It requires a double majority: a majority of voters AND a majority of cantons.
Magic formula
The informal rule on the composition of the Federal Council: the largest parties share the 7 seats. Currently: 2 FDP, 2 SP, 2 Centre, 1 SVP. The formula changes occasionally.
N
National Council
The large chamber of parliament with 200 seats. Seats are allocated to the cantons according to population size. Zurich has the most (35), small cantons 1 seat each.
Neutrality
Switzerland has been permanently neutral since the Congress of Vienna in 1815. This means no military alliances, no participation in wars. Neutrality is not enshrined in the constitution but is regarded as a state maxim.
P
Permit C
The settlement permit. Indefinite residence permit in Switzerland. A prerequisite for ordinary naturalisation. You usually receive it after 5 or 10 years with a permit B.
Popular initiative
100'000 signatures within 18 months, then a proposal goes to a public vote. One of the most important instruments of direct democracy in Switzerland.
R
Referendum
Optional referendum: 50'000 signatures within 100 days against a new law, then it goes to a popular vote. Together with the initiative, the heart of direct democracy.
Rütli Oath
The legendary oath of the three founding cantons Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden on 1 August 1291 on the Rütli meadow. It is regarded as the founding moment of the Confederation. Whether it really happened this way is historically disputed.
S
Separation of powers
Legislature (parliament makes laws), executive (the Federal Council implements them), judiciary (courts adjudicate). At all three levels: federal, cantonal, municipal.
Settlement permit
See Permit C. Indefinite residence authorisation. A prerequisite for ordinary naturalisation. It is granted after 5 or 10 years with a permit B, depending on nationality and degree of integration.
Subsidiarity
Whatever the municipality can regulate, the municipality should regulate. Only if it cannot does the canton take over. And only then the Confederation. Tasks are distributed from the bottom up.
W
Women's suffrage
At federal level only since 1971, and at cantonal level in Appenzell Innerrhoden only since 1990. A popular exam question.
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Knowing the terms is good. Testing yourself is better.
Many of these terms come up in the naturalisation test.
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