If you have resided in Switzerland for a significant amount of time typically 10 years for most citizens you may seek citizenship. This will allow you to obtain a pass and other citizenship perks. The national ID card and the passport are the two recognized forms of national photo identification in Switzerland. Once you are a citizen of Switzerland, you can apply for a Swiss passport. As a citizen of Switzerland, you have the freedom to travel anywhere in the world.
The Swiss passport is a booklet, just like those of many other nations. The words “Swiss Passport” are inscribed in five different languages on the front of the red cover, which also features the white cross from their national flag.
The advantages of obtaining a Swiss passport
The following are possible with a Swiss passport:
- You have access to rights that citizens of EFTA countries are entitled to.
- You are permitted to enter and exit Switzerland as often as you like.
- Possess two passports and, if your home country permits it, have dual citizenship.
- Visit 136 nations without a visa.
On the global Passport Index, the passport is placed fourth.
Who is eligible for a Swiss passport
You can apply for a pass if you have been awarded citizenship. In general, there are three routes to citizenship in Switzerland:
- Via adoption.
- Ancestry.
- Birth: having at least one Swiss parent, to put it another way.
If you have a C residence permit and have resided in Switzerland for at least 10 years, you can become a citizen through naturalization. If you are a child between the ages of 8 and 18 or have been married to a Swiss citizen for at least three years, this is lowered to five years.
You will also need to fulfill a variety of additional conditions. These can differ between Swiss cantons but commonly consist of:
- Demonstrating proficiency in the Swiss national language, both written and verbal.
- Adaptation to the culture and life.
- Adherence to the customs and law
- Being viewed as not posing a threat to Swiss national security.
- No time was spent in the previous three years on Swiss social welfare.
Making a Swiss passport application
If you want to apply for a pass from within Switzerland, you can do so at your neighborhood cantonal passport office, or if you are applying from outside of Switzerland, you can do so at the embassy or consulate in your home nation.
From within Switzerland, you can apply online, over the phone, or in person at your neighborhood pass office. After submitting your application, you will receive an invitation to a scheduled meeting at your neighborhood office to provide your photographs, signature, and fingerprints. You can upload your photo digitally on a USB with some cantons.
Depending on the procedure in each canton, you might also need to submit the following documents with your application:
- True ID.
- Evidence of address.
- Evidence of Swiss nationality.
If you are applying from abroad, the procedure is much the same. When asked for your place of abode, all you have to do is choose “abroad” or the name of your home nation. You will be contacted by the embassy or consulate to provide your biometric information.
Applications are typically processed within 10 days in Switzerland and outside of Switzerland in 30 days. Switzerland permits dual citizenship. In other words, you can get Swiss citizenship without renunciation of your nationality. You must, however, confirm that your country of residence accepts dual citizenship.
Obtaining a new or replacement Swiss passport
The validity o the pass is 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 18. You must apply for a new passport in the same manner as you would for a first one when your pass is set to expire.
There is no time limit for doing this, but be aware that it can take a few weeks for your pass to arrive. It is preferable to start the procedure a few months before your current pass expires as a result. Also, keep in mind that certain nations require you to have a pass with at least six months remaining on it to visit there.
Passport prices in Switzerland
Switzerland charges CHF 140 for an adult passport and CHF 60 for a passport for a kid under the age of 18, plus CHF 5 for shipping. A Swiss passport and a national ID card can be purchased together for an additional CHF 8. For both adults and children, temporary passports are priced at CHF 100, or CHF 150 if granted at an airport.
