DON’T MISS
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Swiss news & articles
Third-generation migrants choosing to forgo Swiss citizenship, report finds
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Third-generation migrants choosing to forgo Swiss citizenship, report finds

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Vaud moves to halve the residence requirements for expats to voteVaud moves to halve the residence requirements for expats to vote
Man denied Swiss citizenship after car crash can reapply, court rulesMan denied Swiss citizenship after car crash can reapply, court rules
Why do 60 percent of immigrants leave Switzerland?Why do 60 percent of immigrants leave Switzerland?
Switzerland to vote on halving the residency requirements for citizenshipSwitzerland to vote on halving the residency requirements for citizenship
Couple denied Swiss citizenship for not having enough friendsCouple denied Swiss citizenship for not having enough friends
Internationals found to have net-positive effect on Swiss social securityInternationals found to have net-positive effect on Swiss social security
"Integration Contract" requirement for new refugees debated in Zurich"Integration Contract" requirement for new refugees debated in Zurich
Expat guide to the golden visa scheme in SwitzerlandExpat guide to the golden visa scheme in Switzerland
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Apr 20, 2022
Jan de Boer

Editor at IamExpat Media

Jan studied History at the University of York and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Though born in York, Jan has lived most of his life in Zurich and has worked as a journalist, writer and editor since 2016. While he has plunged head-first back into life in Switzerland since returning to the country in 2020, he still enjoys a taste of home at pub quizzes and karaoke nights.Read more

A new report by the Federal Migration Commission (FCM) has found that among those eligible for simplified naturalisation, only a fraction have applied for Swiss citizenship. Since 2018, only 1.800 of the anticipated 25.000 people eligible for the scheme have applied and received a Swiss passport.

Few migrants apply for Swiss citizenship under the current system

Since February 2018, third-generation migrants - people whose grandparents were the first to move and settle in Switzerland - have been able to apply for Swiss citizenship through so-called “simplified naturalisation,” if they are 25 years old or younger. In theory, this process eliminates some of the largest hurdles in naturalisation and integration, making citizenship applications easier.

However, new data from the FCM has found that many who are eligible for the scheme are yet to apply. So far, only 1.800 out of an estimated 25.000 migrants have used the new system.

According to Walter Leimgruber, President of the FCM, many expats and internationals eligible to apply are also EU nationals, meaning there are almost no restrictions on the duration of visas and residence permits in Switzerland, making citizenship unnecessary. He noted that simplified naturalisation remains a complicated process, with “bureaucratic hurdles” that are still too high.

Application for Swiss citizenship described as unfriendly and complex

According to 20 minuten, those that have applied described the process as “unfriendly” and “complex.” To apply, people have to prove their grandparents lived in Switzerland for a certain duration, meaning applicants must source documents that are often 50 or 60 years old in order to proceed.

In response, the FCM has announced that it wants to simplify simplified naturalisation by abolishing the age limit for applicants. They said that the current bureaucratic hurdles need to be lowered in order for more people to take advantage of the system.

By Jan de Boer