Swiss Citizenship for Hungarians: Is It Really the Hardest Path in Europe?

Both chambers of the Swiss Parliament rejected the Demokratie-Initiative, which seeks to ease and standardize naturalization nationwide. This was a parliamentary decision, not the outcome of the nationwide referendum that is still expected, and it does not in itself introduce any new naturalization rules. The claim that Switzerland is “the most difficult in Europe” implies a ranking; however, listing Swiss requirements does not establish a comparison between countries. For applicants living in Switzerland, what matters is which naturalization route and requirements apply to their individual circumstances. (swissinfo.ch)

Parliament rejected the Demokratie-Initiative

The Demokratie-Initiative, also referred to as the democracy initiative, seeks to ease naturalization nationwide and standardize the rules. Both the National Council (Nationalrat) and the Council of States (Ständerat) rejected it. Parliament’s position must therefore be considered separately from the nationwide referendum: the decision by the two chambers does not indicate how voters will ultimately vote. (swissinfo.ch)

The political development may also be of interest to those planning to apply for naturalization only at a later date. To determine the requirements applicable to a current application, however, applicants should rely on the information currently in force and the rules of the canton and municipality concerned, not on the initiative’s objective.

Ordinary naturalization: ten years, a C permit and local requirements

For ordinary naturalization (ordentliche Einbürgerung) the ten-year residence period and holding a valid C-type settlement permit at the time of submitting the application are two separate requirements. The German name for the C permit is Niederlassungsbewilligung, and its identity document is the Ausweis C. With a B-type residence permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung, Permit B) and the years spent with Permit C count in full towards the ten-year period. However, the B years that can be counted do not replace the Permit C required for the application. (State Secretariat for Migration – SEM: ordinary naturalisation; SEM: overview of naturalisation)

In addition to the federal requirements, local residency requirements must also be clarified. These requirements, as well as the fees for ordinary naturalisation, may vary from canton to canton and from municipality to municipality. Anyone wishing to submit an application in the canton of Zürich, for example, must consult the cantonal information and the requirements of the municipality concerned. Ten years of residence and possession of a Permit C therefore do not answer every local question.

This distinction also matters for those planning to move to Switzerland. Time spent with a Permit B may later count towards the ten-year period, but a valid Permit C is required to submit an application for ordinary naturalisation. Assessing an individual situation therefore cannot be reduced simply to adding up the years spent in Switzerland.

Simplified naturalisation with a Swiss spouse

In the case of a Swiss spouse, simplified naturalisation (erleichterte Einbürgerung) is a separate procedure. It is not the same as ordinary naturalisation, and marriage alone does not eliminate the need to examine the other requirements. The SEM provides separate information on the specific requirements relating to spouses; eligibility must be assessed based on the applicant’s circumstances.

The fees for the two procedures should not be confused either. The federal basic fee for simplified naturalisation is CHF 900 for adults, while the local fees for ordinary naturalisation may vary. (Canton of Zürich: simplified naturalisation)

Integration and financial standing

Integration criteria (Integrationskriterien) also play a role in naturalisation. For both ordinary and facilitated naturalisation, the language requirement is oral proficiency at least at B1 level and written proficiency at A2 level in one of Switzerland’s national languages. (Basel-Stadt canton: facilitated naturalisation)

Financial stability also matters. Ongoing debt enforcement proceedings (Betreibung) unpaid taxes or other public debts, or outstanding health insurance premiums may constitute grounds for exclusion. Such a situation cannot be assessed under a general rule without knowing the details of the case concerned. (Basel-Stadt canton)

A local example of changing costs is Basel-Stadt canton: from 1 July 2026, a new, reduced fee schedule for ordinary naturalisation came into effect there. This does not mean that the same fee applies in another canton or municipality. (Basel-Stadt canton)

The next practical step therefore depends on where the applicant lives, which permit they hold, and whether ordinary naturalisation or facilitated naturalisation based on marriage to a Swiss citizen may be relevant. Eligibility must be checked on the basis of the SEM’s official information, as well as the applicable cantonal and municipal regulations. The further fate of the political initiative is a separate matter.

Sources

• swissinfo.ch — Parliament’s rejection of the Demokratie-Initiative

• State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) — ordinary naturalisation

• SEM — overview of naturalisation

• SEM — naturalisation through marriage to a Swiss citizen

• Canton of Zürich — ordinary naturalisation

• Zürich canton — facilitated naturalisation

• Basel-Stadt canton — information on facilitated naturalisation

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