Years of residence count double
The most important rule first: for anyone who lives in Switzerland between the ages of 8 and 18, those years are counted double. A child who moves to Bern at 10 and applies at 18 therefore has not 8 but 16 counted years. That is comfortably enough for the required 10.
Why? Because the legislator assumes that children and teenagers integrate more quickly. Anyone who goes to school here, makes friends and learns the language has generally settled in after just a few years.
Being naturalised together with your parents
Children under 18 are normally naturalised together with their parents. You submit the application, and the child is included. Separate fees still apply, but they are lower for minors than for adults.
Important: both parents with custody must give their consent, even if they live apart. Some people forget this and then the process gets stuck.
When children do not need to sit the test
Children under 16 generally do not need to sit the naturalisation test. The municipality checks integration in a different way, for example through school reports or a short conversation.
Teenagers who have attended at least 5 years of compulsory school in Switzerland are also often exempt from the test. The logic: anyone who has gone through the Swiss school system already knows the material.
Whether your child is exempt from the test is decided by the municipality. The rules vary from canton to canton. Ask before you submit the application.
The 3rd generation: simplified naturalisation
Since 2018 there has been a special rule for the third generation of immigrants. If your grandparents immigrated to Switzerland, one parent grew up here, and you yourself were born in Switzerland, you can apply for simplified naturalisation.
The requirements in detail:
You are under 25. A grandparent held a residence right in Switzerland. A parent has lived in Switzerland for at least 10 years and attended compulsory school for 5 years. And you yourself were born in Switzerland and hold a C permit.
Sounds complicated, but really it is just: "My family has lived here for three generations." In that case, it goes faster and is cheaper.
What it costs
For children naturalised together with their parents, the fees are reduced. The federal fee for minors is CHF 50 instead of CHF 100. Cantonal and municipal fees vary but are also lower.
For simplified naturalisation (3rd generation or through marriage), total costs are around CHF 900, regardless of age.
You will find every step towards naturalisation in our free guide.
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