Published on 12 August 2025

Dual citizenship

Since 1 January 1992, Swiss law has allowed multiple citizenship without any restrictions. However, if you acquire foreign citizenship, it is subject to the legislation of the other country concerned.

People who acquire citizenship of another country don’t usually have to renounce their original citizenship unless the law in their country of origin requires them to. Switzerland allows its citizens to hold multiple citizenships without any restrictions.

You will find information on dual citizenship on the website of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).

SEM: Dual nationality

• Swiss citizens who acquire foreign citizenship

  You can acquire another nationality without it affecting your Swiss citizenship provided that the legislation of the other country does not require you to give up your citizenship of origin. For further information on the applicable citizenship laws in the other country, please contact the responsible authority in that country directly.

  Swiss nationals living abroad who have acquired citizenship of another country must notify the representation where they are registered.

• Foreign nationals applying for Swiss citizenship

  If you would like to acquire Swiss citizenship, please contact the competent authorities in your country of origin to check whether the law in your country allows you to voluntarily acquire a foreign citizenship. If the law doesn’t allow this, you may lose the citizenship of your country of origin.

• Consequences of multiple citizenship for FDFA services

  Individuals with multiple citizenship may be entitled to receive only a limited range of FDFA services, which are governed by the Swiss Abroad Act (SAA; CC 195.1) and the Swiss Abroad Ordinance (SAO; CC 195.11).

  Swiss citizens who hold multiple citizenship may receive the same Swiss consular protection as people who only hold Swiss citizenship. A Swiss citizen who is also a citizen of the country where they he/she lives may receive Swiss consular protection provided that his/her country of residence does not object.

  Swiss citizens who are also citizens of their country of residence are treated by the local authorities as their own citizens because they consider that the non-Swiss citizenship takes precedence.

  Swiss citizens living abroad who hold multiple citizenships are generally not entitled to Swiss social assistance if the foreign citizenship takes precedence.

Links

• State Secretariat for Migration SEM – Dual nationality
• Federal Act on Swiss Persons and Institutions Abroad (SAA; SR 195.1)
• Ordinance on Swiss Persons and Institutions Abroad (SAO; SR 195.11)

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