Descent (register before 25) · decided by SEM / Cantonal authority
Swiss 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.
Grandparent or great-grandparent claim? Complex chain? Skip the research — talk to a Switzerland citizenship specialist in 30 minutes.
🇨🇭 Through a Swiss parent
Switzerland passes citizenship parent-to-child — register before 25 if born abroad, or it can lapse.
Eligibility
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. EasyPassport is not affiliated with SEM / Cantonal authority. We help you organize and verify your documents. You submit your application to SEM / Cantonal authority directly — we do not file, submit, or act on your behalf with any government authority.
Why Switzerland
What makes Switzerland different
Parent route only — no grandparent claim
Swiss citizenship by descent comes from a Swiss parent (Art. 1 BüG); there is no grandparent route.
Risk of loss at 25 (Art. 7)
A citizen born abroad with another nationality forfeits Swiss citizenship at 25 unless they register or declare to retain it.
A lapsed citizen can't transmit
A parent who already forfeited at 25 cannot pass citizenship to a child.
Reinstatement is possible but costs more
Reacquiring lapsed citizenship carries a higher fee (~CHF 600) than routine consular service.
Handled by SEM via Swiss representations
The State Secretariat for Migration decides, with filings through Swiss missions abroad.
By ancestor path
Your relationship to the Swiss ancestor determines which rules apply
Process
How to apply
- 1
Confirm the parent link
Establish a Swiss parent at your birth and that the line wasn't already forfeited.
- 2
Gather records
Collect your birth certificate, the Swiss parent's documents, and marriage records linking the names.
- 3
Mind the age-25 rule
If born abroad with another nationality, register or declare to retain before 25 to avoid forfeiture.
- 4
File through a Swiss representation
Lodge the determination (or retention/reinstatement) via your Swiss embassy or consulate to SEM.
- 5
Pay consular fees
Budget consular service fees (~CHF 75 per half-hour; reinstatement ~CHF 600).
- 6
Track to confirmation
Processing generally takes about a year; then apply for a Swiss passport.
Choose your path
Do it yourself, or talk to a specialist?
Do it yourself
Free tool- Parent or grandparent claim with clear documentation
- You know your ancestor held Switzerland citizenship
- Records are legible and translated where needed
- No broken-chain events (renunciation, timing gaps)
Talk to a specialist
- Great-grandparent or further-back claim
- Unsure whether a naturalization broke the chain
- Mixed ancestry — multiple possible pathways
- Want a professional to verify before gathering 10+ documents
At a glance
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
The rules that decide your case
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
A single national authority
🇨🇭 State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) / Swiss representations abroad
State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) / Swiss representations abroad
Switzerland processes descent applications centrally through one national authority, rather than routing them through consulates.
See mailing instructionsTools & guides
Plan your application
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
🇨🇭 Not sure where to start?
See if you qualify in about two minutes.
A personalized answer based on your specific line of descent. No passport or ID uploads — ever.