Switzerland has permitted dual (and multiple) citizenship since 1992. If you naturalise as a Swiss citizen today, you are not required to renounce your existing nationality. Conversely, if you acquire a foreign citizenship while already Swiss, you do not automatically lose your Swiss nationality. This guide explains how Swiss dual citizenship works, the exceptions that still apply, and what it means in practice for naturalisation applicants and existing Swiss nationals.
The 1992 Change: Switzerland Now Allows Dual Citizenship
Before 1992, Swiss law operated on the principle of single nationality. A Swiss national who voluntarily acquired a foreign citizenship generally lost their Swiss passport. A foreign national naturalising as Swiss had to renounce their existing nationality.
This changed with the Federal Law amendment of 1 January 1992, reflected in the current Federal Act on Swiss Citizenship (BüG). Since then:
- Swiss nationals can acquire foreign citizenship without losing their Swiss passport
- Foreign nationals naturalising as Swiss do not need to renounce their prior citizenship
- Individuals can hold Swiss citizenship alongside any number of other nationalities
Switzerland takes no position on whether other countries permit their citizens to hold dual nationality. That is a matter for each country’s own laws.
What This Means for Naturalisation Applicants
If you are going through Swiss ordinary naturalisation or facilitated naturalisation (as the spouse of a Swiss citizen), you will not be asked to give up your existing passport. The Swiss authorities do not require proof of renunciation and do not inform your home country of your Swiss naturalisation.
Your home country’s rules are your concern. Some countries — including Germany (with exceptions), Japan, China, India, and Singapore — limit or prohibit dual citizenship under their own laws. If your home country requires renunciation upon acquiring Swiss citizenship, that obligation comes from your home country, not from Switzerland. Swiss law has nothing to say about it.
Exceptions and Loss of Swiss Citizenship
Swiss citizenship is not permanently guaranteed. There are still circumstances where it can be lost:
Voluntary renunciation: A Swiss citizen can formally renounce Swiss citizenship at a Swiss consulate or cantonal authority. This is irrevocable once processed.
Citizenship by descent — extended absence: Swiss citizenship acquired by descent (ius sanguinis) from a Swiss parent can be subject to lapse rules in limited historical cases. Citizens by descent who have never lived in Switzerland and whose Swiss connection is remote should check their specific situation. See our guide to Swiss citizenship by descent for the age-25 registration deadline and other critical rules.
Pre-1992 naturalisations: Naturalisations that involved renunciation before 1992 are not retroactively reinstated — if you renounced Swiss citizenship before 1992 to take foreign citizenship, you cannot reclaim it on the basis that the rule has since changed. However, reintegration under Art. 51 BüG may be available.
Formal withdrawal for fraud: Swiss citizenship acquired by fraud (misrepresentation in the naturalisation application) can be withdrawn within 8 years of discovery.
Dual Citizenship and Practical Implications
Which passport to use where: Switzerland does not require Swiss nationals to use their Swiss passport to enter Switzerland — but in practice, Swiss nationals are expected to identify as Swiss when dealing with Swiss authorities. When travelling internationally, use whichever passport is more convenient for the destination.
Military service: Switzerland has mandatory military service for Swiss male citizens. Some countries impose military service obligations regardless of other citizenships held. Most countries have bilateral arrangements or exemptions; check your home country’s position.
Consular protection: Switzerland can only provide consular protection in third countries — it cannot protect you in the country of your other nationality, as that country views you as its own national.
Tax: Swiss citizenship does not itself create Swiss tax residency. Tax residency is determined by where you live, not your passport. If you hold Swiss citizenship but live abroad, you are not subject to Swiss income tax (unlike the US, which taxes citizens globally regardless of residence). Switzerland has extensive double tax treaties covering most major economies to mitigate potential double taxation situations. See our guide on double tax treaties for more detail.
Country-by-Country Dual Citizenship Compatibility
| Country | Permits Dual Citizenship with Switzerland? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | US taxes citizens globally regardless of residence |
| United Kingdom | Yes | No restrictions |
| France | Yes | No restrictions |
| Germany | Restricted | Exceptions for EU citizens; voluntary acquisition of Swiss citizenship may require permission |
| Italy | Yes | No restrictions |
| India | No | Must renounce Indian citizenship |
| China | No | Must renounce Chinese citizenship |
| Japan | Restricted | Expected to choose one by age 22 |
| Brazil | Yes | No restrictions |
| Australia | Yes | No restrictions |
| Canada | Yes | No restrictions |
| Saudi Arabia | No | Automatic loss of Saudi citizenship |
| UAE | No | Automatic loss of Emirati citizenship |
| Singapore | No | Must renounce Singaporean citizenship |
This table provides general guidance. Laws change, and individual circumstances vary. Verify the current position with a legal adviser specialising in your home country’s nationality law before applying for Swiss citizenship.
Children of Dual Citizens
A child born to a Swiss parent acquires Swiss citizenship automatically at birth, regardless of where the child is born or what citizenship the other parent holds. Swiss citizenship acquired by descent must be registered at the Swiss consulate for children born abroad. Failure to register does not erase the citizenship but can create administrative complications later. For births abroad after 1 June 1985, the age-25 registration deadline under Art. 7a BüG applies — see Swiss citizenship by descent.
Reclaiming Swiss Citizenship
If you or an ancestor previously held Swiss citizenship that was lost, reinstatement is possible in certain cases through the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). Reinstatement (Wiedereinbürgerung) under Art. 51 BüG is distinct from ordinary naturalisation — it recognises a prior connection rather than granting new citizenship. The process is substantially faster and simpler than ordinary naturalisation for qualifying applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Switzerland notify my home country when I naturalise Swiss?
No. Swiss authorities do not inform foreign governments of Swiss naturalisations. Whether your home country finds out — and what the consequences are under their law — depends entirely on your home country’s rules and practices.
Can I use my foreign passport to live in Switzerland if I am also Swiss?
Once you are a Swiss citizen, Swiss law considers you Swiss when in Switzerland. Your foreign passport does not give you any different rights inside Switzerland. Use your Swiss documents for Swiss administrative purposes (registration, driving licence, etc.).
I naturalised Swiss before 1992 — did I automatically lose my prior citizenship?
Under the old Swiss law, naturalising Swiss often required renunciation of prior citizenship. Whether your prior citizenship was actually extinguished depends on your prior nationality’s laws at the time. Some countries did not require formal renunciation and may still consider you their citizen. Check with your country of origin.
Can a Swiss company owner hold dual citizenship?
Yes. Dual citizenship has no bearing on your ability to own and operate a Swiss company. Swiss corporate law does not distinguish between shareholders or directors based on nationality. You can form a company regardless of how many citizenships you hold.
Does dual citizenship affect Swiss military service obligations?
Switzerland has mandatory military service for Swiss male citizens. Dual citizens who live in Switzerland are subject to this obligation. Some countries impose their own military service obligations. Most countries have bilateral arrangements or exemptions; check your home country’s position.
Can I lose my Swiss citizenship if I acquire another nationality?
No, not since 1992. Swiss nationals who acquire a foreign citizenship no longer automatically lose their Swiss passport. Before 1992, voluntary acquisition of a foreign nationality could result in loss of Swiss citizenship. The 1992 amendment applies going forward and is not retroactive.
Which countries do not allow dual citizenship with Switzerland?
India, China, Japan, Singapore, and many Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait) do not permit their nationals to hold dual citizenship. Germany has restrictions with exceptions for EU citizens. If your home country prohibits dual nationality, acquiring Swiss citizenship will result in loss of your original nationality under your home country’s laws — not under Swiss law.
Can my children hold dual citizenship if I am Swiss and my spouse is foreign?
A child born to a Swiss parent acquires Swiss citizenship automatically at birth. If the other parent is a foreign national, the child may also acquire that parent’s nationality depending on that country’s laws. Switzerland places no restriction on the child holding both citizenships.
Do Swiss dual citizens pay tax in both countries?
Swiss citizenship does not itself create Swiss tax residency. Tax residency is determined by where you live. If you hold Swiss citizenship but live abroad, you are not subject to Swiss income tax. However, the US taxes citizens globally, so US-Swiss dual citizens have obligations in both countries. Switzerland has extensive double tax treaties to mitigate this.
Can I reclaim Swiss citizenship I lost before 1992?
If you lost Swiss citizenship before 1992 through voluntary acquisition of a foreign nationality, you may be eligible for reintegration under Art. 51 BüG. This is a simplified process available to former Swiss citizens. It does not retroactively restore the citizenship but creates it anew through a facilitated procedure. Contact the SEM or a specialist adviser to assess eligibility.
Lawsupport (Morgan Hartley Consulting) Grafenauweg 4, Zug, Switzerland +41 44 51 52 592 [email protected]