Naturalisation for Germans in Switzerland: what has become easier since 2024

A quiet sensation for Germans in Switzerland

The German nationality reform came into force in June 2024. Since then, Germans have been able to take Swiss citizenship without losing their German citizenship. This was different before: anyone who wanted a Swiss passport needed a retention permit (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung) from Germany. That hurdle is gone.

For the large German community in Switzerland, this is a concrete relief. Anyone who has lived here for ten years and is interested in naturalisation now has a simpler path than two years ago.

What the reform changed

The reformed German Nationality Act (StAG) allows multiple nationality without restriction. In practice: if you are German and become Swiss, you do not automatically lose your German passport. The old rule that German citizenship automatically lapsed when you acquired another one no longer applies to Germans abroad.

Previously the path was: apply for a retention permit at the German Federal Office of Administration, justify why you want to keep your German passport, wait, receive approval or refusal. That could take months and was not guaranteed.

Today this application is no longer needed. You simply go through the Swiss naturalisation procedure, and you keep the German passport automatically.

What the German reform does not affect

The reform was an adjustment of the German Nationality Act. Of course, it does not change the Swiss requirements for naturalisation. So if you are German and want to become Swiss, the same conditions apply to you as to any other nationality:

At least ten years of residence in Switzerland, including several years in your canton and municipality of residence. The number of years required in the canton and the municipality varies, usually between two and five years. Years between the ages of 8 and 18 count double.

A C permit (settlement permit, Niederlassungsbewilligung C). If you still have a B permit, you cannot apply for ordinary naturalisation.

Language proof of at least B1 spoken and A2 written in a national language. For most Germans this is the easiest point, because German is their native language and they can easily prove it with a recognised certificate such as Goethe, telc or fide. In German-speaking Switzerland, standard German is enough. Swiss German is not required.

Integration, sound finances, no ongoing social assistance, no relevant criminal record entry. This applies to everyone.

The language proof for native speakers

Anyone who applies with German as their mother tongue has a clear advantage with the language proof. Even so, some municipalities still expect an official certificate as proof.

The following are accepted:

fide test: Developed specifically for Switzerland, it tests everyday situations in the national language. Costs around CHF 250 to 350.

Goethe-⁠Zertifikat: Internationally recognised, Goethe B1 or higher is enough. Some Germans choose this certificate because it is more familiar to them.

telc Deutsch: Also recognised, often a bit cheaper than Goethe.

Important: a German school-leaving certificate is not automatically accepted as language proof. You need a current certificate or proof of completed school or training in a national language in Switzerland. The practice varies by canton.

What you have to do as a German

The procedure is the same as for any other nationality, but here are the steps in order:

1. Count the years of residence. Ten years in Switzerland, including the required years in the canton and municipality. If you were here between 8 and 18, those years count double.
2. Check the C permit. If you still have a B permit, the first step is to switch to a C permit. Depending on the canton, this is possible after five years of uninterrupted residence.
3. Obtain the language certificate. fide, Goethe or telc. Budget for the test: around CHF 300. For Germans usually a formality, but the test must still be taken if you have no recognised proof.
4. Submit the application to the municipality of residence. There you receive the documents for the ordinary naturalisation application. Both spouses can apply together or separately.
5. Prepare and take the naturalisation test. Depending on the canton, in writing or in an interview, on history, geography, politics and society. How your canton tests is in the canton overview. Here you can practise with around 500 questions, in German or French.
6. Naturalisation interview with the municipality. Personal interview, usually 30 to 60 minutes, about your daily life in Switzerland and your integration.
7. Wait for the decision. Municipality, canton, Confederation. The ordinary procedure takes between 12 and 24 months in total.

Costs for Germans: the same as for everyone

The federal fee is uniform across Switzerland: CHF 100 for a single person, CHF 150 for couples, CHF 50 for minors in the family procedure.

Cantonal and municipal fees vary considerably. Depending on where you live, expect total costs of around CHF 800 to CHF 3’000. You can find a precise calculation by filtering for your canton and place of residence.

For simplified naturalisation through marriage to a Swiss citizen, the total costs are often lower, because only the federal level is responsible.

What happens with the pension

The Swiss pension insurance (AHV) and the German pension insurance are coordinated by a bilateral social security agreement. Anyone with contribution years in Germany does not lose them through Swiss naturalisation. The German contributions are preserved and are taken into account later in the pension calculation.

Anyone already retired in Germany who moves to Switzerland continues to receive the German pension. Citizenship has no influence on this.

The details are complex and depend on your personal contribution history. For a reliable pension forecast, ask the Deutsche Rentenversicherung or the SAK (Swiss Compensation Office) for advice.

Taxes: residence decides, not nationality

A frequent misconception: some believe that whoever becomes Swiss automatically pays higher or lower taxes. That is not true. Tax liability depends on residence, not on nationality.

As a German in Switzerland, you pay your taxes in Switzerland under Swiss law. That does not change with naturalisation. However, if you still have income in Germany (rental income, a second job, a pension), you must take the double taxation agreement into account. That applies regardless of the passport.

A difference from the USA: Switzerland taxes citizens only if they live here. The USA taxes its citizens worldwide, which has never been relevant for Germans and will not be.

Military service: rarely an issue, but possible

Switzerland in principle requires military service or the exemption tax from male Swiss citizens. Anyone naturalised late usually has no problem, because the service obligation begins before the age of 25 or 30 and generally does not apply retroactively to older naturalisations.

Anyone naturalised younger who has not yet exceeded the age limit can be called up for service. In practice, male new citizens between 18 and about 25 are called up, but depending on the canton and the age at naturalisation, paying the exemption tax can replace service.

You can clarify the details with the district command (Kreiskommando) of your canton of residence. Women are not obliged to do military service.

Children: often automatically included

If you apply for naturalisation with children under 18, the children are naturalised together with you in most cases. Both parents with parental authority must consent. This is important when the parents live apart, even if only one parent is applying.

Children under 16 usually do not have to take the naturalisation test. Young people who have attended compulsory school in Switzerland for several years are often exempt as well. This depends on the canton.

Children born in Switzerland who have a Swiss parent automatically receive Swiss citizenship at birth. So if you are German and married to a Swiss citizen, your children are Swiss from birth and also German through you. They have two passports from day one.

The most frequent hurdles for Germans

Although the path is simple overall, there are a few typical pitfalls for Germans in practice:

Forgetting the language proof. Many Germans think their native language is enough as informal proof. It does not. You need an official certificate if you cannot prove school or training time in Switzerland.

Assuming you have the C permit. Some people who have lived with a B permit for a long time think they are already “settled”. For naturalisation, however, you formally need the C permit.

Too little integration outside the German community. Anyone who mainly associates with other Germans and has little contact with Swiss clubs, neighbours or work colleagues may run into difficulties in the integration assessment. The naturalisation interview checks exactly that.

Wrong expectations of the test. Anyone who underestimates the naturalisation test because they think they “already” know Switzerland often underestimates the questions on history, the constitution and specific cantonal topics. Preparation is worthwhile.