Over a million foreigners in Switzerland do not apply for Swiss citizenship

Over a million foreigners living in Switzerland do not apply for Swiss citizenship, even though they meet the criteria needed for naturalisation. This has been made known in a study conducted following a request by the Federal Council to understand the reasons for this phenomenon.

According to the report, a large number of foreign residents who have lived in the country for years and have the right to citizenship do not take the step to become Swiss citizens, writes albinfo.ch.

The study results were discussed yesterday at the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), where representatives of cantonal and municipal authorities responsible for the naturalisation process analyzed and reflected jointly on the findings of the report.

Authorities intend that through these discussions they better understand the obstacles and reasons why many foreigners living in Switzerland do not apply for citizenship, despite meeting the conditions.