Zurich to Slash Fees for Swiss Citizenship Applications

Officials in Zurich, Switzerland, have recently announced a forthcoming reduction in the application fees for Swiss citizenship. Zurich city authorities, adhering to regulations stipulating that fees must cover administrative expenses without generating profit, have opted to decrease the cost of naturalization applications. The revised fee structure will see charges drop from 1,200 Swiss francs to 750 Swiss francs for individuals aged 26 and above. Meanwhile, applicants below the age of 26 will continue to enjoy a fee waiver.

It’s important to note, however, that this change exclusively pertains to municipal-level applications for citizenship. Switzerland’s citizenship approval process encompasses municipal, cantonal, and federal evaluations, with fees applicable at each of these levels.

Given that fees are determined at both the cantonal and municipal levels, the expense associated with applying for Swiss citizenship can greatly fluctuate from one location to another. For example, in Jura, applicants can anticipate costs ranging from 500 to 1,600 francs, while in Fribourg, fees range between 1,800 and 3,000 francs. In Geneva, the range varies from 300 to 2,000 francs.

Varying Rates of Naturalization in Swiss Cantons

Furthermore, the approval rates for citizenship applications exhibit significant differences among Swiss cantons. Over the period from 1998 to 2020, Canton Schwyz recorded the lowest naturalization rate, with just 0.9% of foreign residents successfully becoming Swiss citizens.

In contrast, several cantons have notably higher annual rates of regular naturalization, including Zurich (2.2%), Geneva (2.1%), Neuchâtel (1.9%), Lucerne (1.8%), Bern (1.7%), Ticino (1.7%), and Vaud (1.7%), according to reports from Le News.