Being Swiss can bring many advantages from being able to live in some of the highest ranked cities for standard of living to being able to benefit from the tax haven and Swiss bank secrecy.
One can obtain the passport through marriage, birth or naturalisation.
Tips
Live in Switzerland while you are young
Marry a Swiss person
Adhere to Swiss law and regulations
Learn a national language
Integrate and understand Swiss society
Solely being born in Switzerland does not result in Swiss nationality
Introduction
The Swiss passport is available under different circumstances if one is not already of Swiss heritage or born in Switzerland. In most cases certain language skills and integration into Swiss culture need to be evident.
Naturalisation
People living in Switzerland for 12 years or more are eligable to apply for a Swiss passport. This process is faster for children as between the ages of 10 and 20 the years count double. In order to be accepted for the passport the person must be fluent in one of the national languages, German, French, Italian or Romansch. Furthermore the person should not pose a threat to Swiss security and show integration into Swiss way of life. Three out of the last five years before applying for the passport have to have been living in Switzerland.
Marriage
A person who marries a Swiss person is able to apply for a Swiss passport after three years and having lived in Switzerland for five. Language proficiency is not required however again integration into Swiss culture must be evident and Swiss rule of law must be adhered to as the person should pose no threat to Swiss internal or external security.
Birth
The child to a mother and father who are married with either one being Swiss automatically makes the child Swiss too under Swiss nationality law. If a child is born to a Swiss mother who is not married the child will also get a Swiss passport unless the mother gained nationality through a previous marriage. With only the father being Swiss and the parents marry after birth of the child the child will obtain Swiss nationality as soon as the marriage has occurred.
Being born in Switzerland does not grant Swiss nationality, one needs a Swiss mother or at least one Swiss parent if the parents are married.
