Having said that, IF you are content with your current situation here (family, work, health, etc), then citizenship should not be concerning you so much, especially two years away from eligibility. Its not going to make a big difference unless you have plans where a CH pass is essential.
I'd want it in writing. Even here I've been "told" a lot of things which didn't work out (refer to Lou's rule ie "who you get on the day").
Hi Litespeed, you are right that there doesn't seem to be much reason for Baselboy to be rushing to get a passport (unless he comes from a third world country). But Baselboy was right to phone Bern directly.
The reason you seem to be getting different advice is because the staff who work in the Gemeinde are often clueless about how this stuff works. In some cases I'd take what they say with a pinch of salt. When it comes to this issue Bern is their boss, so it doesn't really matter if they have something different to say on the subject!
It's refreshing to see some federal authority occassionally shining through the dark storm clouds of kantonligeist .
When my 5 years waiting period is done, I'll most likely apply for Swiss Citizenship.
The process fee I am told is 750CHF. In Canada it costs $1500+, so in comparision I think it's not bad considering you earn on an average around 3000 a month here (depending on where u work I guess).
I'm led to believe that the process fees are around 400 francs for those who have the "eased" steps to "becoming" Swiss. I have not tried this yet but in the next year or two, I believe I will.
Is it worth it? Being married without kids and without property and planning to leave, I wouldn't. Tick a few boxes and it might be worth it (IMO)....
Are you sure about the language test/interview for someone who is married to a naturalized Swiss? My husband is naturalized (he moved here when he was a little boy, his parents fled Czechoslovakia), and we'd always been told that as the spouse of a Swiss citizen, I would follow the procedure you outlined - sans the interview and language test.
Facilitated naturalisation is only at Federal level and does not need the tests. Do you think I'd want to do tests?!? So BaselBoy is correct.
I'm confused then!! BaselBoy said that if you are married to a naturalized Swiss, then the tests do apply.
Since my husband is naturalized (over 10 years ago), I'm obviously concerned!
I'm reading what you quoted plus going on what I know....
Lob, I think she is talking about the difference in procedures if you are married to a "naturalised Swiss" (paper Swiss) or a "real Swiss". It seems that this type of distinction is not just drawn by the person on the street towards "paper Swiss" but also by the government. You gotta love it. I suspect that evilshell is correct, she will have to do the tests.
I believe differently, even though my wife has on her passport "naturalised", still keeping her away from the "real Swiss"
I seem to recall reading the information on the website a while back and it was clearly stated that there was a difference....
http://www.bfm.admin.ch/index.php?id=141&L=0 (German)
http://www.bfm.admin.ch/index.php?id=141&L=3&S=1 (English)
I see no mention of jumping on the back of a naturalised Swissie.....but I would not put it past them
Note that "Integration" is listed as a requirement, implying that some test of this may be called for. I also checked the site, and looked through the FAQ, and also saw no mention of a distinction being drawn, but I could swear that I saw it somewhere...
Integration could be paying taxes and not having a criminal record.
I might ask next time I talk to the lady in the Gemeide office.....goodness knows when that might be...!
"Ich möchte sehr gern Schweizer sein"
"Hau ab, Kartoffelkopf!"
Yep, that's the part that I meant, sorry if I wasn't clear!!
Then again, maybe the info that BaselBoy was given is somewhat inaccurate. I can't honestly see them discriminating against a long-time Swiss citizen in that fashion. If my husband had just received his citizenship and then I wanted to apply under the facilitated program - then I could see the extra work. But since he's been a citizen (or in the process of becoming one) for pretty much as long as he's been allowed to do so, I'd hope not.
At least obtaining citizenship now is easier than when he went through it!! He had something like four or five interivews at the family house with the authorities, along with appearing before a panel who asked him questions.
Never underestimate the ability of the Swiss to discriminate... I have a friend who is part of some football team. On their club passes it listed nationality (was it necessary to do so?) instead of "Schweizer" for some of them it had "Eingeburgter Schweizer". I can't think of any reason why this was needed...
To my mind you are either the citizen of a country or you are not. End of story. But we all know that paper Swiss will not always be treated like "real" Swiss. At least by the people anyway, but we can't be 100% sure about the authorities can we?
But look on the bright side - you are a woman - no extra 3% tax for you!! By the way - do you feel as if you fail the language test? Why the concern?
Good point. And why exactly was the nationality even a question .... *sigh*
I still pay the husband's 3% tax though.
And, yes, I'd fail. Particularly if held in Swiss German or in High German with Swiss German pronunciation. I can follow along with High German, make myself somewhat understood and read it fairly ok. But give me any stress, and forget it. Someone asks a simple question and I have no idea how to answer.
I find it quite amusing that they do language testing, but offer little to no affordable means to learn German once you move here. Even the GGG Auslaender office more or less told me I wasn't Auslaender enough because I'm a white woman from the US and my husband is Swiss.
I guess Klubschule Migros is the answer there - they seem to do pretty affordable courses in High German and Swiss German.
Gav
Affordable is relative! 600 CHF for a class is way out of my budget
Let's clear some things up for "Facilitated Naturalization":
If you are born in another country and immigrate to Switzerland and get your Naturalization you are Swiss (or as Swiss as one can be).
As long as one of your spouses were Swiss BEFORE you got married you can go through Facilitated Naturalization (citizenship process) WITHOUT tests. This is done at the Federal level AFTER 5 years living in Switzerland and the last year being without any interuption (i.e leaving the country at all). The process takes currently up to 1 year.
Now, they (the office in Berne) DO "recommend" you speak 1 of the 3 national languages (German.French,Italian) as this will been seen on your application for integration purposes. The forms you will fill out will address your life in Switzerland, who you know and what you have been doing in the 5 years leading up to Facilitated Naturalization so I am told.
So here are some pointers as mentioned to me:
If you are no threat to the internal AND external (background checks in your native country),follow the Swiss rule of law (i.e. Pay bills on time,NO fines/tickets), and are integrated into Swiss life (friends,family,clubs,organizations,work) then you should have an easy time getting the red book with the white cross.
You MUST also live in Switzerland for 1 entire year (do NOT leave the country at all..even for 1 day) in order to apply. So it's 5 years, with the last year entirely in Switzerland to apply for Facilitated Naturalization.
That's all. Happy Naturalization.