Swiss Review 2/2018

26 Swiss Review / March 2018 / No.2 news.admin.ch What other conditions do I have to meet? Simplified naturalisation is subject to the condition that you uphold public order and safety and do not jeopard- ise the internal and external security of Switzerland, that you respect the values of the Federal Constitution, that you are engaging in economic ac- tivity or currently undertaking train- ing or education and that you promote and support the integration of your family members. I am under the age of 25 and a Swiss national born abroad. I am not yet regis- tered with the Swiss embassy. Could I lose my Swiss citizenship? Yes. Children born abroad to a Swiss mother and/or a Swiss father, who also hold another nationality automati- cally forfeit their entitlement to Swiss citizenship upon reaching the age of 25 if they were not registered with the Swiss authorities either abroad (embassy or consulate) or in Switzerland (civil registry office), did not register themselves or have not expressed a willingness to retain their Swiss citizenship in writing by that time. Anyone who reached their 22nd birthday by 31 December 2017 and had not yet been registered with a Swiss authority forfeited their Swiss citizenship at the age of 22 un- der the provisions of the previous law. As before, foreign spouses can also ap- ply for simplified naturalisationwhile residing abroad. Former Swiss citizens who have lost their citizenship for var- ious reasons can be renaturalised in certain cases. Answers to the key questions about changes to the Swiss CitizenshipAct and about applying for simplified naturalisation are summa- rised below. The new Swiss Citizenship Act entered into force on 1 January 2018 Foreign nationals who feel a close association with Switzerland even while abroad owing to their family situation can also apply for simplified naturalisation under the new law. I am married to a Swiss citizen and we live abroad. Can I apply for simplified naturali- sation? As the spouse of a Swiss citizen, you can apply for simplified naturalisa- tion if you have lived in an actual, sta- ble conjugal relationship for six years and have a close association with Switzerland. The Swiss spouse must have held Swiss citizenship when the wedding took place or have subse- quently obtained it through renatu- ralisation or simplified naturalisa- tion on account of having a Swiss parent. What are the criteria for having a close association with Switzerland? The following conditionsmust bemet to have a close association with Swit- zerland: ■ ■ You have visited Switzerland at least three times within the past six years, spending at least five days there on each occasion; ■ ■ You can conduct an everyday oral conversation in one of the national languages; ■ ■ You have basic knowledge of Swit- zerland (its geography, history, poli- tics and society); ■ ■ You maintain contacts with Swiss citizens; ■ ■ You can name reference persons residing in Switzerland who can con- firm your visits and contacts. ✆ from Switzerland +41 800 24 7 365 ✆ from abroad +41 58 465 33 33 E-Mail: helpline@eda.admin.ch Skype: helpline-eda www.eda.admin.ch/reisehinweise ✆ from Switzerland +41 800 24 7 365 ✆ from abroad +41 58 465 33 33 www.twitter.com/travel_edadfae Online registration for Swiss citizens travelling abroad www.fdfa.admin.ch/itineris App available for free for iOS and Android Travel advice Plan well. Travel well. Photo Keystone