The Local Switzerland

Swiss approve easier nationalization process for 3rd gen immigrants

Mon, 13 Feb 2017 09:09:55 +0100

Swiss voters on Sunday approved a measure to make it easier for third-generation immigrants to become citizens, crushing right-wing nationalists who had stoked fears about granting nationality to more Muslims.

Will the Swiss back simpler naturalization for 3rd gen immigrants?

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 13:15:28 +0100

The Swiss people will go to the polls this Sunday, February 12th, to have their say on whether third generation immigrants should have access to a simpler citizenship application process.

Swiss MP: foreigners ‘should renounce citizenship to become Swiss’

Fri, 03 Feb 2017 11:30:36 +0100

Should foreign nationals be forced to give up their citizenship if they want to become Swiss?

Rail passengers complain to SBB over burqa posters

Thu, 12 Jan 2017 11:45:08 +0100

Members of the public are calling on Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) to remove controversial posters from its railway stations just days after right-wing campaigners launched their provocative publicity campaign.

Swiss to vote on passport rules for 3rd gen foreigners

Wed, 12 Oct 2016 13:10:20 +0200

The Swiss people will go to the polls next February to vote on whether it should be easier for third generation immigrants to become Swiss citizens.

Bern argues over passports for 3rd generation foreigners

Fri, 16 Sep 2016 12:50:57 +0200

Should it be easier for third generation immigrants – the grandchildren of foreigners residing in Switzerland – to obtain Swiss citizenship?

Report: Swiss citizenship rules leave some stateless

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 12:47:30 +0200

Some people in Switzerland can be left ‘stateless’ when the authorities withdraw their Swiss passport on suspicion of a sham marriage, the Tages Anzeiger has reported.

Eastern European names 'banned' by Swiss bureaucrats

Mon, 05 Sep 2016 14:06:30 +0200

Obtaining Swiss citizenship after spending many years in Switzerland is a proud moment for many foreign residents in the country. But what if you’re forced to change the spelling of your name in the process?

Socialist Party to help expats become Swiss

Tue, 02 Aug 2016 09:52:52 +0200

Members of Switzerland's Socialist Party (SP) are volunteering to be “naturalization advisers” under a new campaign to help foreigners in the country become Swiss citizens.

Sweatpant-wearing family denied Swiss passports

Thu, 09 Jun 2016 11:08:14 +0200

A family from Kosovo who are long-term residents in Switzerland have had their application for citizenship refused, partly due to their habit of wearing jogging bottoms.

Anti-immigrant climate sparks citizenship rush

Tue, 23 Feb 2016 12:57:29 +0100

More and more foreigners in Switzerland are seeking Swiss citizenship according to official figures, reversing a downward trend over the previous 10 years.

Swiss back shared migrant responsibility

Wed, 06 May 2015 20:40:01 +0200

Switzerland said on Wednesday it would be willing to adopt an EU migration proposal currently being debated by Brussels for the even geographical distribution of asylum seekers across Europe.

Expat dilemma: to be or not to be a Swiss citizen

Mon, 01 Dec 2014 18:21:00 +0100

They have made their home in Switzerland and don’t plan to leave, but many long-term foreign residents are unable — or unwilling — to acquire a Swiss passport. The Local’s Morven McLean looks at the obstacles to citizenship and speaks to some new Swiss who have overcome them.

Expat disputes 'unjust' citizenship rejection

Thu, 16 Oct 2014 14:54:00 +0200

A 75-year-old American denied Swiss citizenship earlier this week, despite having lived in the country for 43 years, told The Local on Thursday that he is hoping for a “second chance” with the authorities who rejected his application.

New citizens offered lessons in being Swiss

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:10:00 +0200

A local councillor in Geneva has decided to offer courses to newly naturalized citizens to teach them what it means to be a good Swiss.

New Zurich law to make naturalization harder

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:56:00 +0100

A proposed amendment to the Citizenship Act will make it possible only for foreigners holding residence permit C to apply for naturalization in Zurich, immediately reducing the number of valid applications by about one fifth.