Switzerland citizenship by descent
Switzerland passes citizenship through a parent only — there is no grandparent route — and a citizen born abroad can lose it at 25 without registering. Check whether you qualify, build your lineage, and get a primary-source-backed document checklist and cost estimate.
Who may qualify
- A Swiss parent at your birth → Swiss by descent (Art. 1 BüG).
- No grandparent route — transmission is parent-to-child each generation.
- Born abroad with another nationality? Register (or declare to retain) before age 25 or you forfeit it.
- A parent who already forfeited at 25 can't pass it on.
A general overview — your eligibility depends on the specifics of your line. The free check gives a personalized answer.
Not sure where to start?
The free eligibility check takes about two minutes.
By ancestor path
Your relationship to the Switzerland ancestor determines which rules apply.
What you'll need
- Government fee
- Consular service fees (~CHF 75 per half-hour); reinstatement ~CHF 600
- Typical timeline
- ~12 months
- Where
- State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) / Swiss representations abroad
Key dates & laws
Art. 1 BüG
Citizenship by descent from a Swiss parent.
Art. 7 BüG (age 25)
A citizen born abroad with another nationality forfeits Swiss citizenship at 25 without registering/declaring to retain it.
Where it's processed
State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) / Swiss representations abroad
Tools
Guides
Frequently asked questions
- Who qualifies for Switzerland citizenship by descent?
- Eligibility runs through the Descent (register before 25) pathway and depends on your specific line of descent — which ancestor was a citizen, when, and whether the chain was ever broken by naturalization or other events. Run the free eligibility check for a personalized answer.
- Which authority decides Switzerland citizenship cases?
- SEM / Cantonal authority. EasyPassport is not affiliated with them; we help you organize and verify, and you submit to the authority directly.
- How long does it take?
- Timelines vary widely by route and backlog and are outside any service's control. Treat published averages as estimates and confirm current waits with the authority.
- Do I need to upload my passport or ID?
- No. EasyPassport never stores passports or government IDs — it's a checklist and organization tool, not a document vault.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. We use “may qualify” language because the authority makes the final determination. For an individualized opinion, consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction.
Other countries we support
EasyPassport is not affiliated with SEM / Cantonal authority, any government, or any consulate. This is a document-organization tool, not legal advice — always verify with the relevant authority.