Latest News in Switzerland on Wednesday: A Recap of Today's Headlines
Cracking Down on Swiss Citizenship: Zug's Tougher Rules
Get ready for a rougher road to Swiss citizenship, my friends! Zug, a popular canton, has ratcheted up its naturalization demands as of January 1st. Here's the lowdown:
First off, if you've been relying on social assistance in the last five years, you're out of luck - the new limit is five years, up from the previous three.
Next up, your German language skills better be on point. Candidates for citizenship now need a B2 level for oral communication, surpassing the previous B1 level, which was only enough for everyday conversations.
And here's a bummer for the young ones - if you're under 16, you'll now have to wait to apply for citizenship independently of your parents, unlike the old law that allowed it from the age of 9.
By the way, have you ever pondered about Swiss citizenship rates across the cantons?
Well, according to a report by SRF public broadcaster based on official data, here's the rundown for 2023 (the last year with available stats):
- Vaud and Zurich naturally welcomed the most people - 8,991 and 8,911, respectively.
- Geneva (4,569), Bern (2,903), and Aargau (2,767) followed closely behind.
- Interestingly, Appenzell Innerrohoden has the worst record in Switzerland, granting no new citizenships in 2023.
Now, let's talk about four-legged imports. A new amendment to the Animal Protection Ordinance, effective from February 1st, bans the importing of dogs aged under 15 weeks old. While this mostly affects those keen on resale, private owners may still be able to bring younger puppies from abroad if they comply with the necessary paperwork and vaccinations.
Lastly, a Swiss village in Upper Emmental is in a tizzy over an orange balcony. A resident painted their railing a vibrant orange-red, causing a stir. The village officials claim the balcony sticks out and doesn't jive with the surrounding historic buildings. The homeowner has dared to challenge the authorities, leading to ongoing legal proceedings over the balcony's hue.
Got burning questions about life in Switzerland? Drop us a line at news@our website!
Did You Know?By the way, the federal nationality law of 2014 governs citizenship requirements, applicable across all cantons. Here's a quick rundown of other requirements:
- Residence: The applicant must live in Switzerland for ten years, with at least three of the five years preceding the application. Candidates must have lived in Switzerland for a total of six years if they spent a significant part of their youth in the country.
- Permanent Residency: Applicants must hold a valid permanent residence permit at the time of application.
- Integration: The applicant must be well-integrated into Swiss society and familiar with life in Switzerland.
- Security and Public Order: The applicant must not pose a threat to Switzerland's internal or external security and must respect public order and security.
- Constitutional Values: Applicants must respect the values of the Swiss Federal Constitution.
- Language Skills: Applicants must be able to communicate in a national language (German, French, Italian, or Romansh) both orally and in writing.
- Economic Participation: Applicants should participate in the economy or be in education.
- Family Integration: If married, in a partnership, or a parent, the applicant must support the integration of their family members.
Transitions between cantons generally don't significantly impact the naturalization process, but it's advisable to consult local authorities in Zug for any specific requirements or variations.
- The new demands for Swiss citizenship in Zug now require a B2 level of German language proficiency for oral communication, surpassing the previous B1 level.
- In the general news lately, it's been reported that Appenzell Innerrohoden has the worst record in Switzerland when it comes to grants of new citizenships, with no new citizenships granted in 2023.
- The federal nationality law of 2014 highlights that applicants for Swiss citizenship must be well-integrated into Swiss society and familiar with life in Switzerland, including understanding and respecting the values of the Swiss Federal Constitution.
