What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Swiss citizenship can also be inherited across generations abroad. The prerequisite is registration with a Swiss representation or entry in the Swiss civil status register by the age of 25.
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? For example, citizenship can no longer be inherited after a certain number of generations or a certain length of residence abroad?
Or is the current practice too strict and should registration still be possible after the age of 25?
Let us know what you think.
My father lost his Swiss citizenship because his Swiss father died just after he was born and no one registered his birth. Sadly, by the time he presented himself at the Swiss consulate in Chile he was too late, at age 28. As a qualified doctor he came to the UK and eventually gained UK citizenship. I feel close to Switzerland, particularly to the village in Vaud where my family originated from. I feel a sense of loss, I cannot really describe it. I have visited the archives in my ancestors home and seen large numbers of documents written by members of my family. I feel a huge connection with the place. I have no need to tap into anything apart from a sense of belonging. My surname is super Vaudois and super protestant. I feel locked out of something that I simultaneously feel part of. My son is currently studying in Switzerland and he cannot be part of it either!Other countries allow it if your grandparent was a national.
Most countries value their citizens and do not make it so difficult to retain that citizenship. Switzerland wants to have a global presence but if its citizens live outside Switzerland, the government seems to want tp punish those citizens.
It reminds me of what they did with AHV and how the government discriminated against Swiss who were working abroad by not informing them that they could get credit for every year they worked in a foreign country by paying CHF125 into their AHV account. That's why so many Swiss retirees have those notorious holes.
Your citizens are not your enemy. They are what makes a country's culture and heritage something to celebrate no matter where you live.
I believe that citizenship represents a serious commitment and a serious nation grants its citizenship to those who believe in its values and principles. In recent years, just look at the Italian example, especially from South America there is a run-up to the European passport, a passport that allows one to travel the world without too much red tape and visas. Often the descendants of Europeans do not even know where the country of their ancestors' origin is, having disregarded it for decades. This alone can make one realise how Swiss, or Italians, or any other European nation can feel. I hope that Switzerland will be far-sighted and continue to grant citizenship to those who really have contact with Switzerland and share its principles. Citizenship is a serious matter and cannot be changed like a dress to be worn according to circumstances
Credo che una cittadinanza rappresenti un impegno serio e una nazione seria concede la sua cittadinanza a chi crede nei suoi valori e principi. Negli ultimi anni, basta vedere l'esempio italiano, soprattutto dal sud america c'è la rincorsa al passaporto europeo, un passaporto che permette di girare il mondo senza troppa burocrazia e visti. Spesso i discendenti di europei nemmeno sanno dove si trova la nazione d'origine dei loro avi essendosi disinteressati per decenni. Già questo può fare capire come possano sentirsi svizzeri, o italiani o di qualunque altra nazione europea. Mi auguro che la svizzera sia lungimirante e continui a concedere la cittadinanza a chi realmente ha contatti con la svizzera condividendone i principi. La cittadinanza è cosa seria e non si cambia come un abito da indossare a seconda delle circostanze
Are you suggesting Swiss citizens should only hold Swiss citizenship to the exclusion of all other nationalities? I personally don’t think one can be entirely loyal to more than one country at once. In today’s globalized world, people hold multiple nationalities by virtue of ius sanguinis, and I personally don’t see anything wrong with that.
Almost all countries allow for the claiming of nationality up to the third generation (grandchildren) irrespective of petitioner’s age. By limiting the age to 25 years old, Switzerland is already extremely restrictive.
While Switzerland does not currently have a population problem, it could potentially have one in the future.
You indicate the case of Italy. The reason why Italy (as well as other countries in Europe such as Spain and Portugal) have maintained special programs of paths to reclaim ius sanguinis-based nationality is because those countries, first, were or are facing a population problem, and second, saw a massive outflow of nationals escaped to the American continent to seek for better opportunities in times of European crisis or war. This is hardly the case of Switzerland. So you cannot compare the Italian case to the Swiss case.
I also think that your assumption that Italian citizenship is granted too loosely is partly false. First, it is granted based on the principle of blood line. Second, a lot of the Argentinians, Brazilians, etc. who acquire Italian citizenship do feel identified with Italian culture despite the geographical distance and despite the passing of time. If you ever go to Buenos Aires, you will see how Italian culture and traditions continue to influence some of the Argentinian identity.
There are several factors to consider when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad. Here are the most important ones:
1. the principle of descent (ius sanguinis)
- Swiss citizenship is generally inherited by descent (ius sanguinis), not by place of birth (ius soli).
- A child receives Swiss citizenship if at least one parent is a Swiss citizen at the time of birth.
2. loss of citizenship after the third generation abroad
- Anyone born abroad and already living there for the third generation automatically loses Swiss citizenship at the age of 25 if he or she does not submit a declaration of retention in good time.
- This regulation is intended to prevent people with no connection to Switzerland from remaining formal citizens.
3. multiple citizenship
- Switzerland allows multiple citizenship.
- However, this can be problematic in some countries if they do not recognise dual citizenship.
4 Registration and declaration of retention
- Swiss citizens abroad should register their children with the relevant Swiss representation as early as possible.
- In order to avoid the loss of citizenship in the third generation, a declaration of retention must be submitted before the age of 25.
5 Influence of marriage
- In the past, marriage to a foreign citizen sometimes led to the loss of Swiss citizenship, but these rules have been weakened.
- Marriage alone is not sufficient to transfer citizenship; it remains primarily linked to descent.
As to the question - here is the answer: If there is a connection to Switzerland, Swiss citizenship should be granted. Swiss descent should be proven. Prerequisite: Entry into Switzerland, residence in Switzerland for at least one year. First residence, centre of life. Then re-granting of Swiss citizenship after one year. Proficiency in one of the national languages.
Bei der Vererbung des Schweizer Bürgerrechts im Ausland sind mehrere Faktoren zu berücksichtigen. Hier sind die wichtigsten:
1. Abstammungsprinzip (ius sanguinis)
• Das Schweizer Bürgerrecht wird grundsätzlich durch Abstammung (ius sanguinis) vererbt, nicht durch Geburtsort (ius soli).
• Ein Kind erhält das Schweizer Bürgerrecht, wenn mindestens ein Elternteil zum Zeitpunkt der Geburt Schweizer Bürger ist.
2. Verlust des Bürgerrechts nach der dritten Generation im Ausland
• Wer im Ausland geboren wird und bereits in der dritten Generation dort lebt, verliert das Schweizer Bürgerrecht automatisch mit 25 Jahren, wenn er oder sie nicht rechtzeitig eine Beibehaltungserklärung abgibt.
• Diese Regelung soll verhindern, dass Personen ohne Bezug zur Schweiz weiterhin formell Bürger bleiben.
3. Mehrfache Staatsangehörigkeit
• Die Schweiz erlaubt Mehrfachstaatsangehörigkeit.
• In manchen Ländern kann dies jedoch problematisch sein, falls sie eine doppelte Staatsbürgerschaft nicht anerkennen.
4. Registrierung und Beibehaltungserklärung
• Schweizer Bürger im Ausland sollten ihre Kinder möglichst früh bei der zuständigen Schweizer Vertretung registrieren lassen.
• Um den Verlust des Bürgerrechts in der dritten Generation zu vermeiden, muss eine Beibehaltungserklärung vor dem 25. Lebensjahr abgegeben werden.
5. Einfluss der Eheschliessung
• Früher führte die Heirat mit einem ausländischen Staatsbürger manchmal zum Verlust des Schweizer Bürgerrechts, doch diese Regelungen wurden abgeschwächt.
• Heirat allein reicht nicht aus, um das Bürgerrecht zu übertragen; es bleibt primär an die Abstammung gebunden.
Zur Fragestellung – hier die Antwort: Wenn eine Verbindung zur Schweiz besteht, sollte man das Schweizer Bürgerrecht erteilen. Die Schweizer Abstammung sollte nachgewiesen werden. Voraussetzung: Einreise in die Schweiz, Aufenthalt in der Schweiz von mindestens einem Jahr. Erster Wohnsitz, Lebensmittelpunkt. Dann Wiedererteilung des Schweizer Bürgerrechts nach Ablauf von einem Jahr. Beherrschen einer Landessprache.
Thank you for your list and for your suggestion as to which conditions should apply.
Vielen Dank für Ihre Auflistung und für Ihren Vorschlag, welche Voraussetzungen gelten sollten.
I would like to have the chance to become a Swiss citizen, as my roots are there and it feels like home. But I am a little further removed than 3 generations. I’m the 4th and 5th generations. Is there any hope for me? I’m also a U.S. citizen. I can’t tell you how great my desire is to come back to Switzerland. My grandparents spoke Swiss and kept it alive through the years. My grandpa yodeled and kept his cuckoo clock going and chopped wood. My grandma baked rhubarb custard pies and fried noodles.
The Swiss abroad is the eternal catchphrase of the Swiss left: I don't know how many other countries in the world cultivate a similar problem so persistently. One cannot expect 'Swissness' abroad to pass from generation to generation indefinitely: that just seems absurd to me. When one lives abroad, one also takes responsibility for the choice one has made! It's nice enough that one can enjoy dual nationality, but to pass on this privilege to the next generation as well, seems to me only specious and also illogical. It is obvious that the left-wing parties in particular are constantly pushing in this direction, because they assume that the Swiss abroad vote more to the left because of their younger age. No one can fail to see that this attitude, including e-voting, is only pretextual and not a real problem.
Gli Svizzeri all'estero sono l'eterno tormentone della sinistra elvetica: non so quanti altri paesi al mondo coltivino un problema analogo con tanta insistenza. Non si può pretendere che la "svizzeritudine" all'estero passi di generazione in generazione sino all'infinito: ciò mi sembra solo assurdo. Quando si vive all'estero, ci si assume anche la responsabilità della scelta compiuta! E già bello che si possa godere della doppia nazionalità, ma tramandare tale privilegio anche alle generazioni successive, mi sembra solo pretestuoso e anche illogico. È ovvio che soprattutto i partiti di sinistra spingano di continuo in tale direzione, perché presumono che gli svizzeri all'estero votino più a sinistra causa la loro più giovane età. Non è chi non veda che tale attitudine, voto elettronico compreso, sia solo pretestuosa e non un problema effettivo.
Thank you for your contribution.
Vielen Dank für Ihren Beitrag.
You have probably never lived abroad. That’s why you think this way. Travel more and live abroad at least once in your lifetime. You will realize that despite living abroad, one can maintain Swiss traditions and identity alive generation after generation.
The problem with the current Citizenship Act (BüG) is that it does not apply retroactively. This violates the rights of women who have lost their citizenship through marriage to a foreigner. Many of these women had children who were unable to regain their Swiss citizenship because they had exceeded the age limits when the mothers were finally given the opportunity to regain their own citizenship.
The same problem also affects those who have lost their citizenship due to technical difficulties in the third world country, in particular unreliable postal services and inadequate communication methods with Swiss embassies.
The age limit for regaining citizenship is completely illogical and morally questionable. Why is a foreign-born son or daughter of Swiss nationals automatically Swiss at the age of 25 if he or she registers with the embassy - without any further requirements - while a person who is 26 years old suddenly has to prove at least three trips to Switzerland within six years?
What kind of legislation makes such a difference between two people whose only difference is a single year of life? This is simply absurd and unacceptable.
Das Problem mit dem aktuellen Bürgerrechtsgesetz (BüG) besteht darin, dass es nicht rückwirkend gilt. Dadurch werden die Rechte der Frauen verletzt, die ihre Staatsbürgerschaft durch die Heirat mit einem Ausländer verloren haben. Viele dieser Frauen hatten Kinder, die ihre Schweizer Staatsbürgerschaft nicht zurückerlangen konnten, da sie die Altersfristen überschritten hatten, als die Mütter endlich die Möglichkeit erhielten, ihre eigene Staatsbürgerschaft zurückzuerlangen.
Dasselbe Problem betrifft auch diejenigen, die ihre Staatsbürgerschaft aufgrund technischer Schwierigkeiten im Drittweltland verloren haben, insbesondere wegen unzuverlässiger Postdienste und unzureichender Kommunikationsmethoden mit den Schweizer Botschaften.
Die Altersgrenze für die Wiedererlangung der Staatsbürgerschaft ist völlig unlogisch und moralisch fragwürdig. Warum ist ein im Ausland geborener Sohn oder eine Tochter von Schweizern mit 25 Jahren automatisch Schweizer, wenn er oder sie sich bei der Botschaft registriert – ohne jegliche weitere Anforderungen –, während eine Person, die 26 Jahre alt ist, plötzlich mindestens drei Reisen in die Schweiz innerhalb von sechs Jahren nachweisen muss?
Welche Art von Gesetzgebung macht einen derartigen Unterschied zwischen zwei Personen aus, deren einziger Unterschied ein einziges Lebensjahr ist? Das ist schlichtweg absurd und inakzeptabel.
What an odd question. Like americans claiming that they're irish having never stepped on irish soil for generations. How far should one be able to benefit from a society that they didn't contribute to? If your great grand father left country X for the US, his children and anyone after that are not from country X, they are Americans. Seems the interest is usually not much more than gaining benefits versus any type of pride in heritage. Are we to believe these folks are pining to pick up the alphorn? Or more likely to use social systems they haven't paid into? What exactly is it that they offer to Switzerland and what is it that they will take? Collecting passports for the fun of it? Are they going to move and raise cows in the Alps? Great, you're a citizen now..do you speak any of the Swiss languages or have any clue what Swiss society is like? How many have bothered to even visit versus wanting citizenship on demand?
Please do not lump together all descendants of Swiss abroad who live in countries outside the UNITED STATES. Many of us have contributed significantly to the Swiss Confederation. We are not at all interested in the financial benefits that the state might offer - our fight is about our identity.
Regarding your argument that the children of emigrants automatically belong only to the country in which they were born: That is simply wrong. A tiger remains a tiger, even if it is born in a cage with chimpanzees. In the same way, Swiss born abroad remain Swiss - they love their home country and are still phenotypically part of the Swiss national community.
On the subject of travelling: You are arguing from a privileged US perspective. The majority of descendants of Swiss in countries like Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay speak the dialects of their cantons and live according to Swiss culture, but cannot afford the luxury travel that wealthy people can afford. Especially not to Switzerland - the most expensive holiday destination in the world.
I hope this answer has helped to clarify your questions.
Bitte werfen Sie nicht alle Nachkommen von Schweizern im Ausland, die in Ländern ausserhalb der VEREINIGTEN STAATEN leben, in denselben Topf. Viele von uns haben in erheblichem Masse zur Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft beigetragen. Uns interessieren die finanziellen Vorteile, die der Staat möglicherweise bieten könnte, überhaupt nicht – unser Kampf geht um unsere Identität.
Zu Ihrem Argument, dass die Kinder von Auswanderern automatisch nur dem Land zugehören, in dem sie geboren wurden: Das ist schlichtweg falsch. Ein Tiger bleibt ein Tiger, auch wenn er in einem Käfig mit Schimpansen geboren wird. Genauso bleiben Schweizer, die im Ausland geboren werden, Schweizer – sie lieben ihr Heimatland und sind phänotypisch weiterhin Teil der schweizerischen Volksgemeinschaft.
Zum Thema Reisen: Sie argumentieren aus einer privilegierten US-amerikanischen Perspektive. Die Mehrheit der Nachkommen von Schweizern in Ländern wie Argentinien, Paraguay und Uruguay spricht die Dialekte ihrer Kantone und lebt nach schweizerischer Kultur, kann sich jedoch die Luxusreisen, die sich wohlhabende Menschen leisten können, nicht erlauben. Besonders nicht in die Schweiz – das teuerste Reiseland der Welt.
Ich hoffe, dass diese Antwort Ihnen bei der Klärung Ihrer Fragen geholfen hat.
Are you suggesting that only those who live in the Alps and raise cows should have the right to be Swiss? I find this proposition preposterous.
I wonder you yourself raise cows for a living?
If citizenship is passed on through bloodline, in my view, one should have the right to claim Swiss nationality without much restriction. I don’t even think speaking a Swiss language should be a condition to be able to claim a right that by virtue of bloodline a person already has.
Do you think a Swiss national of fourth generation living in the US will ever want to return to Switzerland (and sponge from the Swiss social system)? To be honest, I doubt it. But the fact remains: that person is Swiss by blood, he/she is part of Swiss heritage already (whether he/she maintains Swiss traditions).
I was born in the United States in 1963 and inherited my Swiss citizenship from my father, who inherited his cititzenship from both of his Swiss-born parents. My sister and I have been registered as Swiss citizens since the mid-1970s, when we were teenagers.
When I was 20 years old in 1983 -- and again when I was 21 in 1984 -- I wrote actual letters to the Swiss Embassy in Chicago to verify my dual citizenship. Dual citizenship is a big deal, and I believe the prerequisite to register by age 25 is fair, especially since the internet has made communication so much easier. Parents and their children will make it a priority if it's important to them.
As far as generational limits, I'd say Yes to that. My grandparents were born there about 125 years ago and have been gone for a long time now.. I don't have children, but if I did, I think the connection would be relatively meaningless to them.
Hello SwissMissUS
Thank you for your contribution.
What is your connection with Switzerland today? The fact that you read SWI swissinfo.ch suggests that there is still a connection? Do I see that correctly?
You write that you are in favour of a generational boundary. In other words, if you had children, would you no longer pass on your Swiss citizenship?
I look forward to your feedback.
Guten Tag SwissMissUS
Vielen Dank für Ihren Beitrag.
Wie sieht heute Ihre Verbundenheit mit der Schweiz aus? Die Tatsache, dass Sie SWI swissinfo.ch lesen lässt erahnen, dass noch immer eine Verbundeneheit besteht? Sehe ich das richtig?
Sie schreiben, dass Sie für eine Generationengrenze wären. Sprich, wenn Sie Kinder hätten, würden Sie die Schweizer Staatsbürgerschaft nicht mehr weitergeben?
Ich bin gespannt auf Ihr Feedback.
Dear lady,
Many descendants of Swiss abroad were not born in the United States. We did not have a functioning postal system or the sophisticated communication networks that are taken for granted in the United States. Therefore, we often did not learn about changes in the law in time.
It was also common for our birth registration letters not to arrive or for our own consulates to lose our documents. All of this has created a historical injustice that urgently needs to be corrected.
I hope for your understanding.
Kind regards
Sehr geehrte Dame,
Viele Nachkommen von Schweizern im Ausland wurden nicht in den Vereinigten Staaten geboren. Wir hatten kein funktionierendes Postsystem und nicht die hochentwickelten Kommunikationsnetzwerke, die in den USA selbstverständlich sind. Daher erfuhren wir oft nicht rechtzeitig von Gesetzesänderungen.
Zudem kam es häufig vor, dass unsere Briefe zur Anmeldung von Geburten nicht ankamen oder dass unsere eigenen Konsulate unsere Dokumente verloren. All dies hat eine historische Ungerechtigkeit geschaffen, die dringend korrigiert werden muss.
Ich hoffe auf Ihr Verständnis.
Freundliche Grüsse
My grandfather was Swiss and emigrated to Italy where he found work and started a family. My father wanted to keep his citizenship, so did my brother and I and so did my children who have now returned to Switzerland where my granddaughters were born. I don't believe that putting up bureaucratic fetters serves any purpose other than to put obstacles in the way of those who want to preserve even a sentimental and cultural link with the homeland of their ancestors. I love Italy but I am equally proud of my Swiss origins.
Mio nonno era svizzero ed è emigrato in Italia dove ha trovato lavoro e formato una famiglia. Mio padre ha voluto mantenere la cittadinanza, così abbiamo fatto mio fratello ed io e così hanno fatto i miei figli che ora sono tornati in Svizzera dove sono nate le mie nipotine. No credo che porre pastoie burocratiche serva a qualcosa se non a frapporre difficoltà a chi chiede di conservare un legame anche solo sentimentale e culturale con la Patria dei propri avi. Amo l’Italia ma sono altrettanto fiero delle mie origini svizzere.
I really don't see the point in passing on a nationality of origin several generations away when it no longer has any purpose or influence on life abroad. It is a false (sentimental?) problem not understood by the majority of Swiss who remain in their homeland where they work and pay contributions. Dual citizenship cannot be passed on indefinitely, because that would be unfair and also meaningless.
But here on Swissinfo.ch they make it an issue hammered out with suspicious insistence. It seems obvious to me that politics is involved, because at the same time they are the same ones who insist on electronic voting, which the Swiss have already rejected several times.
But that's enough now!
Non vedo proprio che senso abbia trasmettere una cittadinanza d'origine lontana diverse generazioni quando non ha più alcuno scopo né influsso sulla vita all'estero. È un falso problema (sentimentale?) non capito dalla maggioranza degli svizzeri che rimangono in patria ove lavorano e vi pagano i contributi. Non si può trasmettere la doppia cittadinanza all'infinito, perché sarebbe ingiusto e pure senza alcun senso.
Ma qui su Swissinfo.ch ne fanno un problema martellato di continuo con sospetta insistenza. Mi sembra ovvio che centri la politica, perché nel contempo sono poi gli stessi che insistono sul voto elettronico già più vote rifiutato dagli svizzeri.
Ma anche basta ora!
Dear OCRAM
Thank you for your contribution. What do you find suspicious about my reporting on the transfer of Swiss citizenship?
It is currently a political issue and SWI swissinfo.ch is taking up these issues that affect the Swiss Abroad community.
Sehr geehrte:r OCRAM
Danke für Ihren Beitrag. Was ist für Sie an meiner Berichterstattung über die Weitergabe des Schweizer Bürgerrechts verdächtig?
Aktuell ist es politisch ein Thema und SWI swissinfo.ch nimmt diese Themen auf, welche die Swiss Abroad Community betrifft.
Join the conversation!