As I understand, normally, it takes about 12 years to get naturalized in Switzerland for an EU/EEA citizen (10 years of residence followed by up to 2 years of estimated processing time).
I was told one day that it was possible to apply for the citizenship earlier (on the 7th year perhaps) if a person was somehow committed to the local community (so it's not about a simplified naturalization due to anything related to a family/marriage).
I am personally nowhere near being committed to my local community but I am generally curious about such matters. I could not find anything about it.
Do you if it is true, and if it is specific to certain cantons?
Naturalization makes no distinction between EU/EEA and third country nationals, the conditions are exactly the same.
Even if a commune was ready to naturalize someone before the required 10 years for whatever reason, the canton would reject it as would the SEM in Bern assuming the canton turned a blind eye.
The 10 years residence requirement is clearly outlayed in federal law, there is no circumventing that.
Unless married to a Swiss national, 3rd generation immigrant under certain conditions, nationless children, and a couple other exceptions. But yes, nothing to do with cantons or communes, or with being EU or not.
Maybe the OP got information confused with obtaining permanent residence, where it is possible to get accelerated permanent residence if well integrated?
I apologize for how I phrased in the introduction to my thread , I understand that that the residence requirement is non-discriminatory although I suppose that the permanent residency is required at time time of application which is a bit quicker to get for EU/EEA nationals (5 years instead of 10). Perhaps it's also quick to request the permanent residence at the 10th year and then immediately apply for the naturalization? Anyways, I would not like it to be in the focus of the thread.
So coming back to my original question, I guess the thing I was told was untrue (it wasn't about the PR).
You were given incorrect information regarding naturalization early due to having good connections. And yes, you need the permanent residency/C permit before applying for naturalization.
However, getting an early C permit is not limited to EU/EEA. Even non-EUs can apply for and receive C permits after 5 years provided they meet all the requirements (income, language, integration, etc.).
So you could get a C permit after 5 and then apply for naturalization at 10. Or you could wait until 10 to get the C and apply for naturalization immediately thereafter. Up to you, depending on your circumstances.
You may very well apply after 5-years residence at very same day you receive C-Permit, not unheard of - just you must have been age of 11-13 when you arrived to CH , at age of 16-18 you apply and be Swiss .