In hardly any other country it is as difficult to get the passport as in Switzerland. And sometimes an incorrectly chosen moment with the lawnmower is enough to fail.
Between alpine idyll and local politics
Switzerland enjoys the reputation of a through -organized country in which everything has its order. But if you want to become a citizen here, you will notice quickly, this order has its own rules and they are often surprisingly personal. In the canton of Jura, a municipality rejected the naturalization application of a French citizen, although he had lived in town for years, spoke German and was firmly integrated. What was in the end was not a lack of papers – but that he mowed the lawn on a holiday. The local naturalization commission saw this a sign of lack of consideration and concluded that it was not enough connected to the location, said Blick.
Cow bells engagement ensures rejection
According to the “Daily Mail”, the native Dutchman Holten was meanwhile refused to citizenship for a completely different reason: she had been committed to Swiss traditions such as cow bells and once rejected it as “annoying”. Cows that would wear them are too loud, and this is also a form of cruelty to animals. Holten had formally met all legal requirements for citizenship, but according to the sheet, the locals vote against them because they thought they were unsuitable.
Each community has its own state
Anyone who believes that uniform standards would steer this process is wrong. In Switzerland, the federal government does not decide, but the community. And with over 2,100 municipalities there are just as many ways to naturalize. While a conversation with the administration is enough in some places, other places require language tests, state science courses or evidence of commitment in club life. In Freienbach in the canton of Schwyz, for example, applicants have to complete a six -part integration course, including examination. This variety of procedures has followed. Anyone who lives in Zurich may have better chances than someone in a Valais village. Naturalization becomes a geographical lottery and is heavily dependent on the local climate.
More feeling than law
Another problem lies in the type of decision. Often not neutral authorities, but citizens’ committees or community meetings determine the application. Personal impressions play a major role here. If you appear cautiously, do not fit into the usual picture or simply do not notice, you can fall through the grid. The federal commission against racism has been criticizing this practice for years. In a report it becomes clear that people from certain countries of origin are rejected more often even if they formally meet all the requirements, according to the mirror.
Expensive passport – not just ideal
In addition to the social and cultural barriers, there is also a very real, financial hurdle. The cost of naturalization procedures can vary greatly depending on the place of residence. In some communities it is done with a few hundred francs, in others fees, courses and documents add up to 50,000 francs. This creates a side effect: If you have money, you can be naturalized. If you don’t, you stay outside, even when integration has long been lived.
Editor finance.net