Switzerland will hold a referendum on reducing the time required to obtain citizenship from 10 to 5 years

On February 28, 2027, Switzerland will hold a nationwide referendum on simplifying the procedure for foreign residents to obtain citizenship. The proposed reform calls for reducing the minimum period of legal residence in the country from ten to five years, eliminating the mandatory requirement for a Category C permanent residence permit, and standardizing naturalization rules at the federal level.

The Swiss Federal Council adopted the corresponding decision on October 28, 2026. The vote will take place as part of the consideration of the “For Modern Citizenship” (Demokratie-Initiative) popular initiative, which is supported by the civic association Aktion Vierviertel.

The reform will potentially affect a significant portion of the country’s foreign population. According to data from the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), as of the end of 2025, there were 2.414 million permanent foreign residents in the country, accounting for approximately 26.5% of the population. Among the largest foreign communities are citizens of Italy, Germany, Portugal, and France.

Ukrainians who received temporary protection following the start of the full-scale Russian invasion constitute a separate category. According to the Swiss Conference on Social Welfare (SKOS), as of July 2026, there were 76,851 people in the country with S protection status.

Proposed Changes to the Rules for Obtaining Citizenship

Currently, foreign nationals can apply for standard naturalization in Switzerland after ten years of residence, provided they hold a permanent residence permit of category C.

Additionally, applicants must demonstrate successful integration, knowledge of one of the national languages, familiarity with the country’s social system, and fulfillment of other conditions established by law.

A significant portion of the procedure takes place at the cantonal and municipal levels. Local authorities may impose additional requirements, including a minimum length of residence in the relevant canton or municipality.

Depending on the region, an applicant must have resided in a specific canton or municipality for two to five years.

The initiative proposes to significantly change this system.

The main change is a reduction of the minimum period of legal residence in Switzerland to five years.

Under this proposal, a foreign resident who has not been sentenced to a long-term prison term, does not pose a threat to the country’s internal or external security, and has a basic knowledge of one of the national languages will be eligible for citizenship.

It is also proposed to eliminate the requirement for a Category C permanent residence permit.

Another fundamental change is the establishment of the right to obtain citizenship provided that the requirements set forth in federal law are met.

This will significantly limit the ability of cantonal and municipal authorities to independently impose additional requirements for naturalization.

According to the reform’s proponents, uniform rules will help reduce administrative barriers, increase transparency in the processing of applications, and eliminate regional disparities.

Why the Government and Parliament Oppose the Reform

Despite support for the initiative from some civil society organizations and political parties, the Swiss Federal Council has recommended that citizens reject the proposed changes.

How Many Foreigners Live in Switzerland

According to final data from the Federal Statistical Office, as of December 31, 2025, Switzerland’s permanent resident population stood at 9.127 million people.

According to SEM statistics published in February 2026, the foreign population with permanent residency status reached 2,414,408, compared to 2,368,364 a year earlier.

Thus, over the course of the year, the number of permanent foreign residents increased by 46,044, or approximately 1.9%.

About 67% of foreign residents are citizens of European Union and European Free Trade Association countries. The remaining 33% are citizens of other countries.

The largest foreign communities in Switzerland as of the end of 2025:

Italians—about 15% of the foreign population.

Germans—about 14%.

Portuguese—about 11%.

French—about 8%.

Citizens of Kosovo—about 5%.

Spaniards—about 4%.

Citizens of Turkey and North Macedonia—approximately 3% each.

Citizens of Serbia, Poland, and Austria—approximately 2% each.

Other notable groups include people from the United Kingdom, Eritrea, and Sri Lanka.

The statistics reflect residents’ citizenship, not their ethnic origin. Therefore, a significant portion of the descendants of migrants who have already obtained Swiss passports are not included in these figures.

The largest foreign communities continue to be those from neighboring European countries, primarily Italy, Germany, and France.

This is due to historically established economic ties, the free movement of workers between Switzerland and EU countries, and high demand for foreign labor.

In particular, a significant number of foreign professionals are employed in healthcare, industry, the financial sector, construction, the hospitality industry, and information technology.

In 2025, 41,269 Swiss citizenships were granted to foreign residents and other applicants, compared to 40,291 the previous year.

If the reform is approved, the pool of potential candidates for naturalization could expand significantly.

How Many Ukrainians Are in Switzerland

Ukrainian citizens occupy a distinct place in Switzerland’s migration statistics.

Following the outbreak of full-scale war in March 2022, the Swiss authorities activated the S temporary protection mechanism for the first time.

This mechanism allows Ukrainian citizens and certain categories of their family members to legally reside in the country without going through the standard asylum procedure.

Holders of this status may work, receive medical care, and access social services provided for by law, while their children have access to school education.

According to official SEM statistics, 71,762 people held valid S status as of the end of 2025, compared to 68,070 at the end of 2024.

By July 2026, that number had risen to 76,851, according to data from the Swiss Conference on Social Welfare (SKOS).

Thus, the number of people under temporary protection increased by approximately 5,100 compared to the end of 2025.

These figures do not include all Ukrainian citizens who were residing in Switzerland prior to February 2022, nor do they include Ukrainians with other categories of residence permits.

In August 2026, the Federal Council decided to extend the temporary protection system for Ukrainians until at least March 4, 2028.

At the same time, the authorities introduced additional requirements for new applicants related to compliance with Ukrainian legislation on military service. These changes do not apply to individuals who have already been granted S status.

March 2027 will mark an important milestone for Ukrainians.

Under current Swiss law, individuals who have resided continuously in the country for five years with S status may obtain a Category B residence permit linked to temporary protection.

However, this document is not a permanent residence permit. It remains valid only until the corresponding protection status is revoked.

In the government’s view, shortening the residency period and eliminating the requirement for a permanent residence permit could lead to lower integration standards for future citizens.

The authorities also advocate maintaining the current system of power distribution among the federal government, the cantons, and the municipalities.

The government believes that local authorities are best positioned to fully assess the degree to which a foreign resident has integrated into society.

The initiative has already received negative opinions from both chambers of the Federal Assembly.

On April 30, 2026, the National Council, the lower house of parliament, recommended rejecting the initiative by a majority of 130 votes to 62, with one member abstaining.

On September 24, the Council of Cantons also opposed the reform: 34 members voted in favor of recommending that the initiative be rejected, nine voted against it, and two abstained.

Support for the proposals came primarily from representatives of the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party.

The majority of representatives from right-wing and center-right political parties opposed the proposal, viewing the current rules as an important tool of integration policy.

Thus, on February 28, 2027, Swiss voters will decide on an initiative that is supported neither by the federal government nor by parliament.

A double majority will be required to approve the constitutional amendments: support from a majority of voters and a majority of cantons.

Will Ukrainians Be Able to Obtain Swiss Citizenship in Five Years?

The upcoming referendum is potentially of particular significance for Ukrainians who moved to Switzerland in 2022.

If voters support the reform, reducing the naturalization period to five years could expand opportunities for foreigners with legal grounds for residence in the country to obtain citizenship.

The proposed changes also call for eliminating the mandatory requirement for a Category C permanent residence permit.

This is important for holders of temporary permits, including Ukrainians with S protection status.

However, the results of the referendum will not mean that Ukrainian refugees will automatically be granted Swiss passports.

If the constitutional amendments are approved, it will be necessary to draft relevant legislation, establish procedures, and clarify the rules for taking into account different categories of legal residence.

In particular, it will be necessary to define the procedure for applying the new requirements to holders of temporary protection and the conditions for verifying the actual duration of stay.

Furthermore, even if the legislation is simplified, requirements regarding knowledge of the national language and the absence of serious criminal offenses will remain in place.

Therefore, the possible adoption of this initiative should be viewed as a potential expansion of access to naturalization, rather than a guaranteed path to citizenship five years after arrival.

How the Reform Could Affect Switzerland’s Economy

The potential simplification of naturalization affects not only migration policy but also the long-term interests of the Swiss economy.

The country has traditionally attracted a significant number of foreign workers thanks to high wages, a developed financial sector, technology companies, and a relatively stable economic system.

At the same time, Switzerland is facing an aging population and a need for skilled workers.

Supporters of the reform believe that easier access to citizenship could promote the long-term integration of foreign workers, strengthen their ties to the country, and expand the political participation of permanent residents.

This could potentially increase Switzerland’s appeal to professionals planning for a long-term career and family life.

Opponents of the reform, on the other hand, warn that shortening the naturalization period does not guarantee successful integration and could weaken the current system of requirements.

From an economic perspective, the direct impact of the reform on employment, tax revenue, and investment cannot yet be quantified, as the proposal itself is not accompanied by a verified projection of an increase in the number of new citizens.

Furthermore, obtaining citizenship is not a prerequisite for working, doing business, or residing long-term in Switzerland. Many foreign residents already have the relevant rights based on their existing permits.

When the decision will be announced

The referendum will take place on February 28, 2027. On that day, Swiss citizens will also vote on issues related to the regulation of nuclear energy, an international trade agreement between EFTA countries and Malaysia, the minimum wage, and the import of foie gras.

The citizenship initiative was officially registered after 104,569 valid signatures were submitted in November 2024.

The proposal calls for amendments to the federal Constitution; therefore, its adoption requires the approval of a majority of voters and a majority of cantons.

Until the referendum is held, the current naturalization rules will remain unchanged.

If the initiative is approved, Switzerland could implement one of the most significant reforms to its citizenship laws in recent decades. Its key outcome will be a shift from a complex, multi-tiered system requiring a ten-year residency period to uniform federal criteria that allow for naturalization after five years of legal residence.

For more than 2.4 million foreign residents of the country, including tens of thousands of Ukrainians, the results of the vote could determine the long-term prospects for political and social integration.