Updated on October 16, 2026
In 30 seconds
Switzerland allows dual citizenship: anyone who obtains a Swiss passport normally does not lose the original one. For Italy, since August 16, 1992, acquiring a foreign citizenship does not cause the loss of Italian citizenship, unless there is a formal renunciation. Ordinary naturalization normally requires ten years of domicile and the C permit.
This text is part of the guide Italians in Switzerland: Legal Guide.
In this article
Ordinary naturalization
You need a settlement permit (C) and at least ten years of domicile in Switzerland, of which three in the last five years. The time between ages 8 and 18 counts double, but at least six actual years are required. Some cantons ask for two to five years in the municipality or the canton.
The application goes to the municipality or the canton, usually with an interview. Language skills and integration are required.
Facilitated naturalization
It concerns, among others, the spouse or the child of a Swiss person. The application goes to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM); people who live abroad turn to the Swiss consulate.
What Italy says
Under law 91/1992 (art. 11), since August 16, 1992 the voluntary acquisition of a foreign citizenship does not cause the loss of Italian citizenship, unless there is a formal renunciation. Before that, the 1912 law provided for the loss.
The Paris consulate also recalls the 1963 Strasbourg Convention on multiple nationality, which in some cases limits this rule. Whether and how it applies to Switzerland must be checked before submitting the application.
Practical effects to check
- AIRE: you stay registered as long as you live in Switzerland.
- Succession: if a foreigner becomes Swiss, the choice of national law in the will no longer applies under the LDIP (the Swiss Federal Act on Private International Law, art. 90). See the article on succession.
- Documents: for the Italian registers, documents with apostille and translation are usually needed. Check with the office that receives them.
- Children: children can have two citizenships.
The concrete steps
- Check the requirements: permit, years of domicile, language.
- Ask the municipality or the canton for the form.
- Prepare the documents from Italy: birth certificate, marital status, with apostille and translation if required.
- After obtaining it, ask the competent consulate whether and how to communicate the new citizenship.
- Update your will if you had chosen Italian law.
Frequent case · A problem that happens often
An Italian citizen has lived in Lucerne for eighteen years. He has the C permit and wants the Swiss passport. He is afraid of losing the Italian one. For Italy, as a rule, citizenship is not lost without a formal renunciation. However, he has a will that chooses Italian law, and that choice may no longer apply after naturalization.
Frequent case described in general terms: names, places and details do not refer to real people or cases.
The best solution for you
Before the application. The best path is to check the requirements: C permit, years of domicile and language. It is usually worth checking the will as well, because the choice of Italian law may no longer apply after naturalization.
After obtaining it. You ask the consulate how to communicate the new citizenship and you check your documents. It is usually best to update the will if Italian law had been chosen.
If the office does not cooperate. It is better to ask the municipality or the canton for the form and to prepare the documents from Italy. For communications to the consulate, ask the competent consulate directly.
What to do right away
- Check your permit, years of domicile and language skills.
- Look for the will and see whether it chooses Italian law.
- Prepare the birth certificate and marital status, with apostille and translation if required.
No path guarantees an outcome.
Learn more: Legal guides from Studio Legale Fiorentino.
How attorney Fiorentino can help you
- He can help you understand the effects of naturalization on your will and succession.
- He can check the Italian documents, with apostille and translation, before the application.
- He can review or update the will after you obtain citizenship.
Frequently asked questions
If I become Swiss, do I lose Italian citizenship?
As a rule no, unless there is a formal renunciation, according to the Paris consulate.
Does Switzerland allow dual citizenship?
Yes, unless it is the country of origin that does not allow it.
After how many years can I apply?
Normally after ten years of domicile, with the C permit. Some cantons add requirements.
What changes for the will?
The choice of national law made earlier may no longer apply (art. 90 LDIP).
Do I have to communicate anything to the consulate?
Ask the competent consulate directly what is needed.
Official sources
Pages of institutional websites consulted on October 16, 2026.
- ch.ch – Application for facilitated or ordinary naturalization – requirements, application, dual citizenship (page in Italian)
- consparigi.esteri.it – Loss and reacquisition of citizenship – art. 11 law 91/1992, Strasbourg Convention (page in Italian)
- fedlex.admin.ch – LDIP (RS 291) – text in German, art. 90
Read also
- Italians in Switzerland: Legal Guide (complete guide)
- Divorce Granted in Switzerland: How to Have It Recognized in Italy
- Succession of an Italian Resident in Switzerland with Assets in Italy
The firm
The firm is based in Naples (Piazza Giovanni Bovio 22 and Via Monte di Dio 14) and works throughout Italy; the first meeting can be held by video call. To ask for a consultation: WhatsApp or phone 347 5264190.
Informational text, prepared with the help of artificial intelligence tools. It does not replace advice on a specific case.
Author: attorney Renato Giuseppe Fiorentino
Updated on October 16, 2026
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