Switzerland - Passport & Nationality - Swiss Citizenship (Passport through Facilitated Naturalisation)

The decision to grant facilitated naturalisation is in the sole responsibility of the Confederation. The canton in question is first given a hearing and, like the community is question, has a right of appeal. People who want to be naturalised in this way must be integrated into their Swiss environment. In addition, they must comply with the Swiss rule of law, and they must not endanger Switzerland's internal or external security.
Provided certain legal requirements are satisfied, facilitated naturalisation particularly benefits foreign spouses of Swiss nationals and children of a Swiss parent who do not yet hold Swiss nationality.

Foreign spouses of Swiss nationals who have lived in Switzerland for a year may apply for facilitated naturalisation after three years of marriage, provided they have lived in Switzerland for a total of five years. People who have close ties with Switzerland may apply for facilitated naturalisation even if they are resident abroad. In such cases, however, they must have been married to a Swiss spouse for at least six years.
Applicants are particularly foreign spouses of Swiss nationals and foreign children, one of whose parents is Swiss

Application to be submitted to Confederation
FOM, Naturalisation Section, Quellenweg 6,
3003 Bern-Wabern

Decision-making competence Confederation
Right of appeal yes
Requirements at federal level
• Integration
• Compliance with rule of law
• No danger to internal or external security
• Additional requirements depending on legal provisions

Requirements at cantonal level None, only right to be heard and right of appeal
Requirements at communal level None, only right to be heard and right of appeal

Facilitated naturalization according to current legislation

1. Article 27 Naturalization Act
The foreign spouse of a Swiss national who has lived in Switzerland for at least five years, has lived here for one year, and has lived in conjugal community with the Swiss spouse for three years.
2. Article 28 Naturalization Act
The foreign spouse of a Swiss national who has close links with Switzerland and has lived in conjugal community with the Swiss spouse for at least six years. An application is also possible if the person concerned is resident abroad.
3. Article 29 Naturalization Act
A foreigner national who has lived in Switzerland for at least five years, believing in good faith that he/she was a Swiss citizen and has been, in fact, treated as such by the cantonal or communal authorities. Very rare in practice.
4. Article 30 Naturalization Act
A stateless, minor child who has lived in Switzerland for at least five years, one year of which being immediately prior to application.
5. Article 31a Naturalization Act
A foreign child, not yet 22 years old, who was not included in the naturalization of one of his/her parents and has lived in Switzerland for at least five years, one year of which being immediately prior to application. The child must be a minor at the time of application for naturalization by the parent. There must be close links with Switzerland.
6. Article 31b Naturalization Act
A foreign child who was not able to acquire Swiss nationality because, before his/her birth, one of his/her parents had lost Swiss nationality. There must be close links with Switzerland.
7. Article 58a Naturalization Act
A foreign child, from the marriage of a Swiss woman to a foreign national, who has close links with Switzerland.
8. Article 58c Naturalization Act
The illegitimately born child of a Swiss father. In the event of close links with Switzerland, an application may also be filed on completion of the child’s 22nd year.