Obtaining Swiss citizenship: conditions and stages of registration

Citizenship on a general basis

Switzerland is one of the countries that strictly controls the receipt of passports. Because of this, it is quite difficult for visitors to obtain Swiss citizenship. There is one general rule for foreigners - you can become a citizen of a country only after 12 years of continuous life in it.

There are some peculiarities here: obtaining an internal passport for foreigners under 20 years of age does not oblige them to long-term residence. Young people must be in the country continuously for 6 years - then there is every chance of legally becoming a citizen of the state.

Changes in 2021

The traditional “closedness” of the Swiss state and the aggravation of the migration crisis in recent years have forced the authorities to once again raise the issue of changing the status of a citizen of the country.

Monitoring compliance with legislation in the field of migration and developing new laws is carried out by:

1. Cantonal Council;
2. National Council.

Today, a proposal to reduce the time of permanent residence in Switzerland by 4-6 years is being actively discussed. So far this figure is 12 years. A possible tightening of standards could affect young people under the age of 20, for whom a year in the country was counted as two.

Those wishing to obtain a local passport must reside exclusively under a category C permit.

Years are counted not from the date of first entry, but from the moment of receipt of a residence permit.

Citizenship for different categories of people

Depending on the category of foreigner, the method and conditions for obtaining a Swiss passport will change. Rules have been developed separately for:

• children;
• foreign spouses;
• refugees;
• students;
• businessmen.

Businessmen are not considered privileged: they have strict requirements and a number of conditions, according to which a person must not only open an enterprise, but also invest a certain amount.

Passports in Switzerland

If you become a Swiss citizen, you will be eligible to receive a Swiss passport. This will allow you to travel freely to and from Switzerland, enjoying the benefits of Swiss citizenship while abroad.

You need to apply for a passport either in person at your community registration office, or in person, by phone or online at your canton's passport office (depending on which canton you live in). For more information, contact your cantonal naturalization office.

Since 2010, all Swiss passports issued have been biometric. Ongoing costs are approximately CHF 150 for an adult passport and CHF 70 for a child's passport.

General requirements for candidates

Although Switzerland is not distinguished by its large territory or dense population, obtaining the treasured document is not so easy. This is due to the strict general rules for candidates:

• continuous residence in the country for at least 12 years;
• the need to stay in the state for 3 years out of the last 5 years;
• if the applicant is under 20 years old, then 1 year is considered as 2 years of residence;
• knowledge of one of the 4 state languages. These include German, Italian, French or Romansh;
• ability to integrate into local society.

Such requirements are considered basic in Switzerland - they are imposed on everyone who wishes to obtain a passport.

Swiss citizenship for Russian citizens: requirements

Citizens of Russia, which is not a member of the European Union, are subject to increased conditions and requirements for obtaining local citizenship. For example, for some time, there have been disputes between the two bodies involved in immigration matters regarding the adoption of various amendments regarding citizenship.

In order for a Russian to obtain the coveted citizenship, he needs to go through the following stages:

1. Meet basic requirements.
2. Submit an application to the cantonal administration.
3. The canton will check the document and evaluate the Russian’s identity.
4. Canton will conduct a personal interview with the applicant.
5. The Russian will take the oath and receive the coveted passport.

One of the bonuses is free movement within the Schengen countries. To become a citizen of little Switzerland, a Russian must choose one of the methods - marriage, naturalization, or investment.

Is dual citizenship possible in the country?

The law says that the country allows this state of affairs. If a foreigner receives an internal passport, he has the right not to renounce the citizenship of his home country.

The only thing that needs to be taken into account is that the state in which the person lived before can force him to give up a second passport. Some countries do not allow dual citizenship. If this is not taken into account, a fine will be imposed on the citizen if a violation is detected.

Ways to obtain citizenship

Today there are several ways to obtain citizenship in Switzerland:

• on a general basis - when living in the territory for at least 12 years;
• You can become a Swiss citizen through a residence permit;
• registration of Swiss citizenship through marriage with a national of the country;
• registration of an internal passport for children;
• business investment.

Other conditions apply to people who already have a passport from one of the EU countries. If a person is a citizen of Malta or Cyprus, the process will be faster and cheaper. In addition, there are certain benefits when preparing documents.

Citizenship by naturalization: two ways

One of the ways to obtain citizenship of a country is naturalization. It is divided into regular and simplified. Several features and stages of naturalization of different types:

• ordinary. A foreigner must go through three levels - Confederation, canton and Gemainde (community). If there is a failure at one of the levels, the process stops completely. To pass the first level, they submit an application for naturalization, where they confirm 12 years of continuous residence in the territory. It is also necessary to know local traditions and law: the applicant must not pose an external danger to the country. At the second and third stages, a requirement is established for knowledge of the language, as well as for the length of residence;
• simplified. Such naturalization provides for easier rules: it is necessary to live on the territory for 5 years, not 12, and the last year must be characterized by continuous residence. It was also required to be married to a Swiss citizen for at least 3 years.

Recently, a reform of naturalization rules was carried out, which states that foreigners between the ages of 9 and 25 do not take examinations in the cantons and local communities. They only need to pass the first level. Candidates must study in the country for at least 5 years and have a residence permit.

Obtaining citizenship through marriage

You can obtain an internal passport of the state through marriage with a local citizen. But in this situation, recognition is not carried out automatically; here you will need to go through all the stages of simplified naturalization. A foreign national must fulfill the following conditions:

• reside in Switzerland for at least 5 years;
• have a registered relationship for at least 3 years;
• spouses must live together.

If a married couple does not live in Switzerland, but one of them has an internal passport, then obtaining citizenship is also possible. To do this, you must be married for more than 6 years, spend vacations, and maintain contacts with relatives and friends from Switzerland.

Swiss citizenship for children

To issue a document to a child, you must also follow a number of rules. For example, if the birth of a baby occurs in a family where one of the parents already has an internal passport, the child automatically becomes a citizen of the country. If the child's mother is Swiss and the father is foreign, the child will still receive local citizenship. If the situation is the opposite: the father is Swiss, it is necessary that he recognize the relationship if the couple is not married. If children are adopted by a Swiss couple before they reach adulthood, they also become citizens of the country.

Citizenship when purchasing real estate

When buying real estate, you can only obtain a residence permit, but not citizenship. It can be issued over time, after a certain number of years of residence on the territory. Foreigners with category B and C visas can buy housing, but it is important to take into account the entire legislative framework. The purchase is carried out only in certain areas of the country, and foreigners are also not allowed to exceed certain quotas. You should not make a purchase without studying all the rules and requirements.

Citizenship by Investment

Today you can obtain Swiss citizenship by investment. For this, a number of requirements are put forward:

• a candidate of foreign origin must annually pay a residence tax in the canton, which amounts to 250 thousand euros - this is considered a passive investment;
• active investment is considered to be the presence of a project for the development of a certain canton and payment of an amount of 1 million francs;
• The candidate pays taxes for 10 years, after which permanent residence is issued, then citizenship;
• payment will be a guarantee for obtaining a residence permit, which the foreigner has the right to renew;
• Having fulfilled all these requirements, a foreigner does not have the right to work in the country.

When investing in the country's budget, foreign citizens do not immediately receive a passport, but only move along the path to this.

Citizenship through refugee status

Refugees in Switzerland are subject to strict conditions for obtaining an internal passport. In order for a refugee to obtain Swiss citizenship, the country from which the person departed must pose a danger. For example, all countries of the former USSR are considered safe for a small state, so it is unrealistic for a Russian to obtain refugee status, and, consequently, citizenship in this way. Refugees are not provided with special living conditions - they live in a camp while their application is being processed.

Citizenship through obtaining a residence permit

If a foreigner managed to obtain a residence permit, then after some time he will be able to obtain local citizenship, but only if all the rules are followed. A residence permit can be obtained as follows:

• open a company;
• buy a ready-made business;
• pay lump sum tax;
• work for hire with a contract;
• have European Union citizenship.

There are several categories of residence permit, but it is necessary to dwell separately on type C. This permit implies a residency requirement: it is issued after continuous residence in the country for at least 10 years. From 2021, only this permit is the basis for obtaining local citizenship.

New citizenship laws

Switzerland is one of the most developed countries in the world, and therefore attracts migrants from all over the world. This became a reason to tighten laws regarding migration. With amendments made at the beginning of 2019, the following rules came into force:

1. When accepting a migrant as a citizen, it is not the duration of his residence that is assessed, but the degree of integration into local society.
2. You can apply for a Swiss passport only after 12 years of residence (sufficient income, friendly communication with local residents, decent command of the state language, respect for the Constitution are required).
3. When staying in Switzerland as a temporarily employed foreign citizen, only 50% of the period of residence is counted.
4. Persons who are interested in obtaining a Swiss passport must reside in the country on the basis of a residence permit (permit C).
5. For minors, the requirements for the period of stay are doubled (for children from 8 to 18 years old).

The last applied restriction is planned to be lifted, but it is impossible to say exactly when this change will occur.

Important! Amendments to the legislation abolished the possibility of applying for citizenship under permit B, which was previously available to migrants living in the country.

Who can apply for Swiss citizenship?

The current legislation defines a number of conditions for foreigners to obtain a Swiss passport:

• the applicant was born Swiss in the country;
• the candidate entered into an official marriage with a Swiss citizen;
• a foreigner has been living in the country legally for over 12 years;
• the applicant plans to make a major investment in the economy;
• the candidate is fluent in the national language.

In Switzerland, the official dialect is three languages ​​(German, French and Italian).

Who will not be able to obtain citizenship?

The following categories of foreigners cannot obtain permanent residence and obtain citizenship of this country:

• migrants who have debts to their country or Switzerland;
• convicted persons who are fugitives from justice;
• subjects liable for military service who refused to serve in the Swiss army;
• foreign military personnel and representatives of intelligence services.

Of course, citizenship of this country is not granted to persons who, during their stay in Switzerland, violated the legislation in force here.

Do you want to get EU citizenship in 12 months? Take the free test and find out your chances.

Departure for permanent residence in Switzerland

The permanent residence document also guarantees the acquisition of Swiss citizenship in the future. You can enter the country using one of the visas, then fulfill a number of requirements and wait to receive the certificate.

Conditions and stages of registration

To obtain permanent residence in Switzerland, you must meet several conditions and go through certain stages:

1. Apply for a Schengen visa.
2. Submit an application.
3. Select the correct permission type.
4. Learn a language.

The main condition for obtaining permanent residence is the presence of a residence permit of a certain type. Also, the candidate must have lived in the country for at least 12 years, have a good work history, adapted to the country and benefit society.

Required documents

There are a number of documents that are requested by the migration service that issues the permit:

• originals and copies of passports, marriage certificates, birth certificates of children;
• confirmation of qualifications: diplomas and certificates;
• certificate of good conduct;
• information confirming financial status;
• certificates confirming legal residence in the country for a certain period of time;
• employment documents;
• a document confirming knowledge of one of 4 languages.

Obtaining Swiss citizenship by Russians and other foreigners is only possible with a type C permit.

How to obtain Swiss citizenship

The answer to the question of how to obtain Swiss citizenship is best illustrated by this table:

Even if all conditions are met, only a small part of applicants receive the coveted document. A refusal may follow if the slightest violation of current standards is detected. The process of collecting papers can last from 90 days to several years.

See how to get a deduction from your pension using a writ of execution. Information about early retirement for women and men? Find it at the link.

Conditions for Russians

The most common way for Russians to settle in this corner of the Alps is naturalization. Residence requirements are the same as for citizens of other states.

Even if all conditions are met, a foreigner has no chance of a positive outcome if:

• failed to integrate into Swiss society;
• ignores the cultural traditions of the local population;
• has tax arrears or refuses to serve in the military;
• received a criminal record.

Swiss authorities require candidates to be fluent in at least one of the country's four official languages. To confirm your linguistic skills, you need to obtain a special language passport.

Subject to all the nuances, the applicant can begin collecting the following documents:

• original and copy of passport;
• birth certificate;
• an officially registered employment contract or written confirmation of employment from the employer;
• certificate of no criminal history;
• an extract from the tax authorities confirming the absence of debts;
• medical certificate confirming the absence of dangerous diseases;
• a document containing detailed information about friendly relations with local residents, visits to Swiss cultural institutions, hobbies, etc.;
• availability of sufficient financial resources, confirmed by a bank statement or a certificate from the place of employment indicating wages for at least the last 3 months;
• payment of a state fee of 1000 francs.

Children and spouses of Swiss citizens, students of local universities, refugees from hot spots, and large investors can apply on preferential terms.

Conditions for Belarusians

The rules are identical for all foreigners, including Belarusians.

Like Russians, residents of the Republic of Belarus applying for a Swiss passport must undergo three levels of verification:

• in the community;
• in the canton;
• in government agencies.

Conditions for Ukrainians

Ukrainians recently received the opportunity to travel visa-free throughout the EU. However, the process of applying for a residence permit has not been simplified. There have been no cases of refugees from the war zone in southeastern Ukraine legally staying on the territory of the Alpine state.

In exceptional cases, the authorities of the confederation provided political asylum with small allowances and housing. Ukrainians can apply for official status in Switzerland on the same grounds as citizens of foreign countries.

Applying for a visa to Switzerland: how to properly prepare documents

The first step on the path to obtaining permanent residence in the country is the correct visa application. There are several types of this document; the right choice will contribute to rapid progress towards the goal.

General requirements and stages of obtaining

All Schengen countries have recently required the same list of documents to obtain a visa. To enter Switzerland, for a long stay in the country you need to apply for an A visa, which allows you to get a job as an unskilled employee. You can stay in the country on this visa for no more than 9 months.

To obtain a residence permit and then citizenship, the type D visa is most suitable. It is issued to wealthy citizens who want to invest in the country’s economy. First, an application is submitted, then it is reviewed and a decision is made. The candidate must know the state language and understand the history of the country.

Where to apply

When the application is completed, it must be submitted to the visa center located at the foreigner’s place of residence. If permanent residence is issued, the foreign citizen must submit the application to the migration service at the place of residence. The issued visa is transferred to the Swiss embassy, ​​and the person waits for an answer.

Required documents: list

The visa center will require a number of documents to issue the appropriate permit:

• visa application form;
• 2 photos measuring 35x45 mm, taken no earlier than 6 months before submitting the application;
• international passport with 2 blank pages;
• if you have old passports, you must provide copies of them;
• insurance;
• a copy of all completed pages of the internal passport.

Samples are always presented on the official websites of departments. You may also need a statement of income, proof of residence and purpose of travel. The application can be completed online and the fee payment can be transferred via electronic banking.

Basic methods

In Swiss law, there are not many ways in which you can get your hands on a passport with a white cross. They are fundamentally divided into citizenship by birth and citizenship by naturalization.

Video: let's get to know Switzerland better

Birthright

A child born becomes a Swiss citizen if his father and mother are holders of passports with white crosses. The child will become a Swiss subject even if only one of the parents has Swiss citizenship. A child born to a Swiss citizen also clearly has the right to obtain citizenship of this country, even if he was born in an unregistered marriage or out of wedlock. If the father is a Swiss citizen and officially recognizes his child living with his mother (who is not a Swiss citizen) in another state, then he can officially declare his intention to assume the rights of the father (DNA examination will be required). In this case, the child also receives Swiss citizenship.

When a child is born on Swiss territory, but neither of his parents has citizenship of the Alpine Republic, then in this case he has no prospects of becoming a Swiss citizen. The only positive thing in this case will be the opportunity in the distant future to obtain a visa to Switzerland on the basis of visiting the place of your birth.

When a child is adopted by Swiss nationals, this means that he or she is automatically entitled to Swiss citizenship. But this statement is relevant only for those who have not yet reached the age of majority, which in Switzerland comes at 18 years old.

A child born to a Swiss citizen also clearly has the right to obtain citizenship of this country.

Citizenship by naturalization

It is through naturalization that most foreign citizens acquire Swiss citizenship. Russians and citizens of other CIS countries will be able to apply for a passport of the Alpine Republic only if they have completed all the necessary stages of naturalization. In addition, there is a stable list of persons who should not count on receiving Swiss citizenship at all. It includes:

• foreigners who serve in the army of a foreign country;
• violators of Swiss criminal law;
• foreigners suspected of connections with organized crime or terrorist organizations;
• foreign citizens who have poor integration indicators;
• persons who do not have a sufficient legal level of income.

Marriage to a Swiss citizen

Marriage to a Swiss citizen seems today to be probably the most realistic way to obtain a passport of the Alpine Republic. First, foreign life partners receive a residence permit, which must pass at least two years before receiving permanent residence. After staying for another three years with permanent residence, you can apply for citizenship. During the last year you cannot leave Switzerland, otherwise your period of permanent residence will be reset.

Since we are talking about a calculator, I’ll explain what it is: this is not Germany, where they pay the restaurant bill in half - everything is much worse... Let’s say you moved in with a Swiss: be prepared to pay half the rent, chip in on food, gasoline, etc. P. And, unfortunately, this is not a joke! Our friends live exactly like this: a girl moved to a young man’s apartment, which he had been renting for a year and a half!!!, immediately upon arrival she began paying half the rent (she is also Swiss, so there were no indignant cries about this fact). But the worse thing is that now they have decided to separate, and she did not warn about her departure in advance, so she must pay her share over the next three months, regardless of whether she will live there or not. At the same time, her salary is 5,000 francs, and his is 10,000. And now they have been living together for 2 months, sleeping in the same bed (there is no other one, and no one wants to go to the sofa) and quietly hating each other. He doesn’t want to give in, and she doesn’t want to pay for something she doesn’t use...

Kate_Lausanne

https://www.spletnik.ru/blogs/vokrug_sveta/25434_kak_zhivetsya_v_shvejcarii

It is almost impossible to enter into a fictitious marriage in Switzerland. Any fraud with the intention of obtaining citizenship is immediately stopped by the Swiss authorities. It is not for nothing that a Swiss bank is considered synonymous with reliability. The authorities will strictly control the residence of the young family under one roof. If spouses live outside the Alpine Republic, then it is advisable for them to spend their holidays together in Switzerland and maintain constant communication with friends and neighbors. In short, no one should have any suspicion about the factuality of the marriage. A significant factor will be the opinion of the local community in whose territory the young spouses live. When acquiring citizenship, you will need to receive a reference-recommendation from its administration, which is attached to the basic package of documents.

Marriage to a Swiss citizen seems today to be probably the most realistic way to obtain a passport of the Alpine Republic

My former colleague Vadim told me about the difficulty of obtaining Swiss citizenship. After demobilization, we did not see each other for many years, during which time the former sergeant managed to graduate from university and become a highly qualified software developer. Fate brought him to Switzerland, where he went on a long business trip. I happened to work in Zurich, and on weekends my former colleague liked to travel around Switzerland. Over time, Vadim will even obtain permanent residence. But he doesn’t even hope to become a Swiss citizen. In fact, getting a red passport with a white cross is not just difficult, but incredibly difficult. Although there are official deadlines, a clearly defined residency requirement and other conditions, the acquisition of citizenship is largely hampered by the multi-level nature of decision-making on issuing citizenship to foreigners. Switzerland is not even a federation, but a confederation, where each administrative unit has enormous decision-making powers. If an application for citizenship is granted at the level of the federal authorities, this does not mean that it will be received with a 100% probability. This is just a green light to continue the procedure at the cantonal and community levels. If for some reason the candidacy of a future Swiss citizen is not approved at the cantonal level, which, by the way, may put forward additional requirements, then the issue of citizenship will hang in the air. Community approval will also be required. Sometimes it happens that opinions at different levels do not coincide. In this case, it is unlikely that you will be able to become a Swiss citizen. Vadim, who is already experienced in Swiss realities, considers marriage to be the only real way. In his opinion, only marriage with a Swiss citizen allows you to receive a passport with a white cross with a 100% guarantee after a certain time. When it comes to approval at the community level, the Swiss jealously ensure that the candidate fits the stereotype of the average Swiss. This stereotype arose in the minds of the inhabitants of the Alpine Republic a long time ago and remains largely unchanged for centuries. If a foreigner, for some reason (most likely behavioral), cannot fit harmoniously into the local society, then the chances of his candidacy being approved by the community are reduced to zero. With the introduction of new rules, the already not at all loyal Swiss legislation in the field of immigration and citizenship has become simply draconian.

Real estate and citizenship

Owning real estate in Switzerland in no way becomes a direct basis for claiming citizenship. But at the same time, Swiss real estate ownership gives the right to obtain a residence permit, and then move on to the status of a permanent resident of the Alpine Republic. The minimum requirements for the value of the property are as follows: the property must be residential and cost from 400 to 700 thousand euros (the minimum value is set at the level of each canton). Therefore, having every reason to go through the naturalization process, the owner of Swiss real estate may sooner or later become the owner of a red passport with a white cross.

Owning real estate in Switzerland does not in any way become a direct basis for applying for citizenship

Immigration for business representatives and investors

In Switzerland, which controls a third of the world's financial reserves, representatives of foreign business circles are treated coolly. A residence permit can be obtained by investing from 2 million euros, and then proceed to further stages of naturalization, which is quite realistic.

Opening your own company or representative office in Switzerland also becomes a valid reason for obtaining a residence permit. If the company operates stably and efficiently, is profitable, makes all contributions to the federal budget on time, then its owner can renew his residence permit, proceed to obtain permanent residence, and then submit an application for Swiss citizenship.

The population of the relatively small Switzerland, which ranks 133rd in area in the world, is almost 8 million people. A twentieth of Switzerland's area is occupied by Lake Geneva. The confederation has four official languages: German, French and Italian, as well as Alemannic, which is not widely spoken because no more than 5% of the Swiss speak it. The modern name of the state comes from the small canton of Schwyz, which existed at the time of the founding of the confederation and served as a kind of magnet for the annexation of the remaining cantons. Swiss independence is many centuries old; it was proclaimed back in 1291. Switzerland has no official capital. In fact, it is considered Bern, but only because the federal government is located in this city. The Swiss did not become part of the modern European community by speaking out in the referendum against joining the European Union. The Alpine Republic chose the traditional policy of neutrality. But the Swiss considered it expedient to sign the Schengen Agreement.

Swiss laws provide for licensing of almost all types of economic activities. Accordingly, the lack of a license closes the way to providing financial services, practicing law, carrying out insurance or investment activities, or opening a dental or any other medical institution. The Swiss strictly monitor compliance with federal tax laws, therefore, when renewing a residence permit, moving to the next stage of naturalization, and even when acquiring citizenship, it is necessary to have confirmation that the applicant has made all the required contributions to the federal budget of the country on time and in full.

A residence permit can be obtained by investing from 2 million euros (equivalent), and then proceed to further stages of naturalization

Citizenship upon family reunification

Having a citizen of the Swiss Confederation among your close relatives can give you a good chance of getting a passport from the Alpine Republic. There are few such lucky people living in Russia or Ukraine, but they do exist. Close relatives of Swiss citizens invited to live together can count on simplified naturalization. There will be no problem for them in obtaining permission to enter Switzerland, obtaining a residence permit and permanent residence. The naturalization period for foreign relatives will be identical to other categories of applicants for a red passport with a white cross, but their applications will be processed as a priority and, in addition, they will not be required to take an integration test. Unless, of course, foreign relatives have problems with Swiss legislation that arose during their residence in this country.

If you have a citizen of the Swiss Confederation among your close relatives, you can get a good chance of getting a passport of the Alpine Republic

Granting citizenship in a special manner

In some cases, Swiss citizenship may be granted by decision of the federal authorities to foreigners who are recognized as particularly useful for the development of the Swiss Confederation, who have made a significant contribution to improving its international image, and so on. For example, if a foreign athlete wins gold as part of the Swiss team at the Olympics, or a foreign politician defends Swiss interests in the international arena, is an outstanding world-class scientist, etc., then he may be granted Swiss citizenship by a separate decision.

Switzerland is considered the most environmentally friendly country in the world, despite the fact that it is located in the very center of industrial Europe.

Citizenship for refugees

Refugees constitute a separate category of applicants for Swiss citizenship. Becoming a refugee in the Swiss Confederation is very difficult. This will require providing convincing evidence that the forced migrant had to leave his homeland due to persecution by the authorities or organized criminal groups, and the persecution must be systemic and documented. Since Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, Brussels quotas for accepting refugees do not apply to it. But Switzerland is a member of many influential international organizations, and therefore takes part in international programs to support refugees. Previously, refugees could obtain Swiss citizenship 10 years after receiving official status, which shortened their path to a Swiss passport by two years. After the innovations of 2021, the situation has not changed; now the residence qualification for refugees is similar to other categories of immigrants requesting citizenship of the Alpine Republic.

Refugee status is issued to a forced migrant for a period of five years. Next, the Swiss authorities assess the situation in the homeland of the “forced guest.” If they recognize that it is unsafe for him to return there, then the refugee receives the status of a permanent resident of Switzerland. After five years with permanent residence, he can apply for citizenship.

Video: how to become Swiss

Simplified procedure

A foreigner can move to Switzerland and enter into an agreement (Fiscal Deal) with the cantonal administration that he will regularly pay a special tax, called lump sum, over a ten-year period. The annual payment must be more than 150 thousand francs. It is permissible to conclude such agreements with candidates who are over 21 years of age and have no previous problems with the law. For the entire 10 years, an applicant for Swiss citizenship who pays the lump sum tax and is a tax resident of Switzerland has no right to carry out any economic activity for the purpose of making a profit in the territory of the Swiss Confederation. Throughout the entire ten-year period, such candidates for Swiss citizenship are allowed to reside directly on Swiss territory for no more than six months during each calendar year. For lump sum tax payers, after five years with a residence permit (to which they are unconditionally entitled), the opportunity opens up to become permanent residents of Switzerland, but there is no requirement to remain in the country without leaving the country.

The oral test consisted of two rounds and 100 questions. The girl could not explain the initiatives of local authorities to recycle oily waste and remember the names of small shops in her city, since she buys food only in supermarkets. As a result, the commission, consisting of members of the local municipality, refused to obtain citizenship, explaining its decision as follows: “you live in a small world and show no interest in entering into a dialogue with the population of Switzerland.”

Faina

https://realist.online/article/kazhdyj-grazhdanin-shvejcarii-dolzhen-znat-otvety-na-eti-voprosy

Permission classification

There are several types of permits that are issued to foreigners to stay in Switzerland:

• short-term, class L – issued for 12 months for the purpose of work;
• initial, class B - issued to migrant workers and special specialists;
• permanent, class C – issued to foreigners who have lived in the country for more than 10 years;
• temporary, class F - issued to citizens who are in the country due to need, since staying in their homeland is dangerous;
• with the right to work, class Ci - issued to family members of representatives of foreign departments;
• temporary, class N – issued for temporary stay at the time of consideration of an application for refugee status.

Such permits are issued by the cantons and local communities after reviewing the application and approval of the applicant.

Features of life for permanent residence in Switzerland

According to reviews of Russian migrants, the standard of living in Switzerland differs from the standard of living in their home country, but at the same time the prices for some goods and services are high. Moving to another country has its own nuances.

Standard of living of ordinary citizens

You can often hear that food prices in this country are among the highest, even when compared with Germany, Italy and France. But we should not forget about high wages, thanks to which ordinary citizens can afford a lot. Most of the money goes towards accommodation, food and transportation. The grocery bill in the supermarket is a quarter higher than in neighboring countries. For example, an average home-cooked dinner will cost 11-15 francs.

The cost of public transport will be from 4 to 8 francs, children's tickets are cheaper. To rent a house, you will need to pay about 1,000 euros per month, while prices in large cities are higher.

Business conditions

Any foreigner can conduct business in the country subject to certain rules. Here you need to register a company, submit a business plan and have the financial resources to open it. Registration occurs in several stages:

1. Choosing a unique name.
2. Opening a bank account.
3. Registration with a notary.
4. Registration in the commercial register.
5. Registration with the tax office.
6. Registration of hired workers.

The condition for running your own business is to have a special permit. The Canton may allow a foreigner to carry out activities if he has a permit C.

Taxation: main types of taxes

There are several types of taxes in the state tax system:

• on the income of individuals – 11.5%;
• on the profit of legal entities;
• for capital gains;
• VAT – 8%;
• on capital;
• on property;
• for wealth;
• for inheritance.

Some of the taxes are general: some of them are levied at the federal level, others at the cantonal and municipal level.

Living conditions for pensioners: social benefits

To obtain Swiss citizenship, a citizen of the Russian Federation does not have to be a young person: many pensioners also leave for this country forever. Women retire here at 64 years old, and men at 65 years old. Pensioners have great opportunities: the size of payments varies from 7,800 to 48,000 francs. There are no benefits, but pensions are enough for older people to pay for transportation, medical services and other needs.

Employment, vacancies, salary

In Switzerland, they promote official employment, which brings in considerable income. For example, employees of the banking environment receive about 40 thousand francs. The average salary is 6,500 francs, which translated into rubles is 434 thousand rubles.

Foreigners are offered vacancies as a gardener, driver, nanny, housekeeper, and au pair. The salary for such employment will be 1000-2500 francs per month.

Medical support and insurance

The country has a well-developed medical sector. The longevity of the residents is facilitated by the location in the mountainous area, where the air is cleaner. The basis of healthcare is insurance - everyone should have it. The average cost of a doctor's consultation here will cost 100-150 francs.

Cultural life

One of the advantages of living in the country is its rich cultural life. Here everyone finds new experiences, and the favorable location of the state allows you to travel a lot. The main aspects that make up the cultural life of the country:

• symphony orchestras;
• folk instrument orchestras;
• theaters;
• museums.

Dozens of festivals are held every month in different cities. People come together to tell tourists and local residents about the traditions and identity of the people.

Advantages

The main advantage of living in this country is stability and high earnings. The standard of living in Swiss cities is one of the highest in the world.

Among other advantages that make becoming Swiss profitable, it is worth highlighting:

1. free movement with an ID card within the borders of the European Union;
2. the primary right to employment in relation to foreign nationals;
3. the opportunity to participate in elections and nominate oneself;
4. safety of life, because this country has remained neutral in wars since 1848;
5. excellent conditions for self-realization;
6. life surrounded by beautiful mountain landscapes and clear lakes.

Read 27 Federal Law on individual personalized accounting. What is non-state pension provision? The answer is here.

Will there be a tax deduction for working pensioners when buying an apartment? Find out further.

The difficulty of obtaining a passport with a white cross on a red background in the European Union can only be compared with a similar procedure in Iceland. Switzerland was and remains the most closed country in Europe, therefore, in order to obtain official status, a foreigner must prove that he is truly capable of naturalization and benefiting society.

Pros and cons of Swiss citizenship

The table below outlines the pros and cons of Swiss citizenship.

The cost of obtaining Swiss citizenship is about 3,000 francs, but this figure varies depending on the region.

Do not despair if after the first attempt to obtain citizenship you are refused: provided that all requirements are met, documents are submitted and conditions are met, the Swiss government fulfills the prescribed obligations. By acquiring citizenship of this country, a person has the opportunity to increase his income level and enjoy life in the mountains.

Citizenship through marriage

You can also get a Swiss passport through marriage. You need to officially register your relationship with a resident of this country. True, the recognition process does not occur automatically, but through simplified naturalization.

The foreign spouse will take advantage of preferential conditions that involve a reduction in the period of preliminary permanent residence here. If the relationship is formalized, then you need to apply for citizenship after meeting the following conditions:

• Live continuously in Switzerland for 5 or more years instead of 12 (10 or 8). At the same time, you can have an officially registered relationship with your spouse and live with him under the same roof for only 3 years;
• Before applying for citizenship, you must have lived continuously in Switzerland for at least one year;
• To identify fictitious marriages, the cantonal authorities have introduced a mandatory condition: after marriage, you must live in the same house/apartment with your spouse.

There is another way to become a Swiss citizen. It provides for the possibility of obtaining such status for married couples living outside Switzerland, but provided that one of the spouses already has a red passport with a white cross.

In this case, it is necessary to comply with the requirements for preferential naturalization.

• Be married for more than 6 years;
• Spend your holidays in Switzerland, come here on holidays;
• Maintain relationships with people who permanently live here: friends, relatives, colleagues;
• Be a member of associations and Swiss diasporas, actively communicate with the Swiss who are also forced to live outside the country.

Knowledge of national languages ​​and a constant interest in what is happening in the country are also required. This applies to all spheres of life, including political, economic, cultural, historical, and geographical components. Working for a Swiss company will be a separate advantage.