Loss of Swiss citizenship

Swiss citizenship can be lost by forfeiture, relief, declaration of nullity or revocation.

Forfeiture

A child born abroad of a Swiss parent and who has another nationality automatically loses Swiss nationality at the age of 25 unless he or she has been registered or has registered himself or herself to a Swiss authority abroad or to an authority in Switzerland or has declared in writing that he or she wishes to maintain Swiss nationality.. Persons who have lost Swiss citizenship by forfeiture may, under certain conditions, apply for reinstatement of Swiss citizenship.

Relief

Swiss citizens living abroad who are citizens of another country as well as being Swiss (or who have been assured of another citizenship) can apply to their nearest Swiss foreign representation to be relieved of their Swiss citizenship. The application will be passed on via the State Secretariat for Migration SEM to the authority responsible for the relief of Swiss citizenship in the person’s canton of origin.

Declaration of the nullity of naturalisation where false information has been given or material facts have been concealed

If a person provides false information or conceals important facts in the naturalisation procedure, they run the risk that their naturalisation will be declared null and void. This is possible for up to eight years after naturalisation. Once the declaration of nullity becomes legally binding, the person concerned cannot reapply for naturalisation until at least two years have elapsed.

Revocation of Swiss citizenship

A dual national can have their Swiss citizenship revoked if their conduct is seriously detrimental to Switzerland’s interests or reputation. Revocation of Swiss citizenship is only conceivable in serious cases, however, e.g. in the case of people convicted of war crimes or terrorism.
  

Further information

Last modification 20.12.2020

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