Did you lose or gain Swiss citizenship? How did that affect your life?

Urenkel einer durch Heirat ausgebürgerten Schweizerin 2025-09-22 00:29

The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

My great-grandmother, born in 1873, was a Swiss citizen. When she married a German citizen in 1896, she automatically lost her Swiss citizenship due to the discriminatory laws in force at the time. This loss continued through all subsequent generations. My great-grandmother and my grandfather, who was born in 1915, were never able to benefit from a restitution arrangement, naturalisation or simplified naturalisation during their lifetime. My father, as the grandson of a Swiss woman who was denaturalised, also had no real opportunity to regain his citizenship. Since the new Citizenship Act came into force on 1 January 2018, there is no longer any legal basis for descendants like me.____ However, as a 28-year-old great-grandson, I have close and verifiable ties to Switzerland. I am professionally integrated as a cross-border commuter in Switzerland, have successfully completed my apprenticeship there and make a valuable contribution through my daily work. I also have close linguistic and cultural ties with Switzerland.____ This discrimination, which my great-grandmother experienced in 1896, still affects my family and me personally today in 2025.

Meine Urgrossmutter, geboren 1873, war Schweizer Bürgerin. Durch ihre Heirat mit einem deutschen Staatsbürger im Jahr 1896 verlor sie aufgrund der damals geltenden diskriminierenden Gesetzeslage automatisch ihr Schweizer Bürgerrecht. Dieser Verlust setzte sich über alle folgenden Generationen fort. Meine Urgrossmutter sowie mein Grossvater, geboren 1915, konnten zu Lebzeiten nie von einer Wiedergutmachungsregelung, Wiedereinbürgerung oder einer erleichterten Einbürgerung profitieren. Mein Vater, als Enkel einer ausgebürgerten Schweizerin, hatte ebenfalls keine wirkliche Möglichkeit, das Bürgerrecht zurückzuerlangen. Seit Inkrafttreten des neuen Bürgerrechtsgesetzes am 1. Januar 2018 besteht überhaupt keine gesetzliche Grundlage mehr für Nachkommen wie mich.____Ich, als 28-jähriger Urenkel, habe jedoch eine enge und belegbare Bindung zur Schweiz. Ich bin beruflich als Grenzgänger in der Schweiz integriert, habe dort meine Lehre erfolgreich abgeschlossen und erbringe einen wertvollen Beitrag durch meine tägliche Arbeit. Auch sprachlich und kulturell bin ich eng mit der Schweiz verbunden.____Diese Diskriminierung, die meine Urgrossmutter 1896 traf, wirkt sich bis heute im Jahr 2025 auf meine Familie und insbesondere auf mich persönlich aus.

musicofnote1 2025-08-17 19:36

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Initially came to Switzerland in 1977 for 1 year of study. One year turned into a second, the second into a marriage with a Swiss woman - later came the children. In 2004, I became Emmental (Wynigen), Bernese and Swiss through simplified naturalisation. In 2013 I gave up my US citizenship, in 2014 the children did the same. All in all, the best decisions of my life. __No, Switzerland is not perfect, but I see a better future for me and my family here than anywhere else. In these times, I wish there was more cohesion, like you see in Canada, but ... the Swiss always have a little longer to recognise themselves as Swiss and jump over their cantonal shadows. ____Just one of many similar groups world-wide...____Swiss Boycotting US-Products/-Companies__https://www.facebook.com/groups/653742200884686

1977 anfänglich für 1 Studiumjahr in die Schweiz gekommen. Aus einem Jahr wurde ein 2. Aus dem 2. ist eine Ehe mit einer Schweizerin geworden - später kamen die Kinder. 2004 durch die erleichterte Einbürgerung bin ich Emmentaler (Wynigen), Berner, Schweizer geworden. 2013 habe ich meine USA-Bürgerschaft abgegeben, 2014 haben die Kinder das Gleiche gemacht. Alles zusammengesehen, die besten Entscheidungen meines Lebens. __Nein, die Schweiz ist nicht perfekt, aber ich sehe eine bessere Zukunft für mich und meine Familie hier als sonstwo. In den jetzigen Zeiten, wünschte ich mir, mehr Zusammenhält, in etwa wie man's von Kanada sieht, aber ... die Schweizer haben immer ein wenig länger, bis sie sich als Schweizer erkennen, und über ihre Kantönligeist-Schatten springen können. ____Just one of many similar groups world-wide…____Swiss Boycotting US-Products/-Companies__https://www.facebook.com/groups/653742200884686

JustTheFacts 2025-07-02 20:40

A colleague renounced Swiss citizenship in order to obtain Singaporean citizenship (they don't allow dual nationality). __He advised that Singapore and its passport are far better than Switzerland. He has a C permit (based upon family) and comes and goes as he pleases.

Muncha 2025-04-25 17:36

The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

It is ridiculous, in my opinion, that because one's great-grandparents or grandparents were Swiss, Spanish or Afghans, the descendants believe and want to have that nationality. In the end, they have not contributed for many decades to the country I knew they were from. If the entire Caucasian population of South America were to ask for the nationality of their ancestors, it would be half empty. Both in Germany and in Spain, Argentinians come and ask for everything that these countries have for their citizens as Spaniards or Germans.__A year ago, a black girl pretended to be Spanish because her great-great-grandparents were Spanish and according to the poor woman, they left because they were Republicans and emigrated. I told her, they have told you a lie, my great-grandparents and grandparents were socialists, and fighters in the left-wing army, and nobody after the war imprisoned them, or marginalised them, or anything. If we have a better, more modern country, etc., it is not thanks to those who fled, but to those who stayed. And now they come claiming, what? The Nazis who fled and are scattered over there, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren have the right to nationality? No. Germany was destroyed, even if an armistice or the end of the war was signed, the British bombed the big cities, killing children, women, and old people, the soldiers had not returned. Who rebuilt Germany? Certainly not their ancestors. There is also the genetic issue, did they all have children with men and women from the same country? I hardly know. If that country they claim as their own, was economically destitute, would they ask to come back to help their country? NO. But as it is going well, because my great-great-grandfather was Italian, so am I.__My family did not have a good time, they had to work like slaves to get ahead, and I repeat, now Argentinians, Ecuadorians, Cubans, etc. come here not to work, but to claim nationality, and collect the mamandurria that the governments of the day give.__And the people of the country, they do not want these people to take advantage, normal, no.

Es ridículo, según mi opinión, que porque unos bisabuelos o abuelos, fueran suizos, españoles o afganos, los descendientes crean y quieran tener dicha nacionalidad. __A la postre, no han contribuido durante muchas décadas al país del que supe fueron, si toda la población caucásica de suramérica, pidiese la nacionalidad de sus ancestros, se quedaría medio vacía. __Tanto en Alemania como en España vienen argentinos, y se ponen a pedir como españoles o alemanes todo lo que estos países tienen para sus ciudadanos.__Hace un año, una chica de raza negra, pretendía ser española, porque sus tatarabuelos eran españoles y según la pobre, se fueron porque eran republicanos y emigraron. Le dije, te han contado una milonga, mis bisabuelos y abuelos eran socialistas, y combatientes en el ejército de izquierdas, y nadie después de la guerra, los apresó, o marginó, o nada. Solo los que tenían delitos de sangre, asesinos, pero no combatientes.__Si tenemos un país mejor, más moderno, etc no es gracias a los que huyeron, sino a los que se quedaron. Y ahora vienen reclamando, que? Los nazis que huyeron y están esparcidos por allí, sus nietos y biznietos tienen derecho a la nacionalidad? No. Alemania se quedó destrozada, incluso firmado armisticio o fin de la guerra, los británicos bombardearon las grandes ciudades, asesinando niños, mujeres, y ancianos, los soldados no habían regresado. Quien reconstruyó Alemania? seguro que sus antepasados no. __También esta el tema genético, todos tuvieron hijos con hombres y mujeres del mismo país? Apenas conozco. Si ese país que reclaman como suyo, estuviera económicamente en la miseria, pedirían volver para ayudar a su país? NO. Pero como va bien, pues mi tatatatsrabuelo era italiano, yo también.__Mi familia no lo paso bien, hubo que trabajar como esclavos para salir adelante, y repito, ahora vienen argentinos, ecuatorianos, cubanos, etc no para trabajar, sino para reclamar nacionalidad, y cobrar la mamandurria que dan los gobiernos de turno.__Y los del país, no quieren están gente aprovechada, normal, no

Anonymous 2025-04-20 18:46

The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

I would like to recover my Swiss identity, I am Lorena Schwarzenbach my grandmother Stella Schwarzenbach arrived in Ecuador in 1938 my mother was born in 1948 just like in Argentina here sending a letter at that time took years! I am a granddaughter of Swiss 3rd generation, and the last Schwarzenbach in Ecuador, I am president of the Swiss community of Quito, I have been recognized by three Ambassadors and 150 Swiss families for maintaining the culture, traditions, making the celebration of August 1, Samichlaus. I proudly keep my grandmother's birth certificate, all the relics and photos of Luzern, I am Swiss with fervent love! But my passport is not.

Me gustaría recuperar mi identidad Suiza, soy Lorena Schwarzenbach mi abuela Stella Schwarzenbach llegó a Ecuador en 1938 mi madre nació en 1948 al igual que pasó en Argentina aquí enviar una carta en ese tiempo tomaba años! Soy nieta de suiza 3era generación, y la última Schwarzenbach en Ecuador, soy presidenta de la comunidad suiza de Quito, me ha reconocido tres Embajadores y 150 familias suizas por mantener la cultura, tradiciones, realizando la celebración del 01 de agosto, Samichlaus. Con orgullo guardo el registro de nacimiento de mi abuela, todas las reliquias y fotos de Luzern, Yo soy suiza con amor ferviente! Pero mi pasaporte no lo es.

JustTheFacts 2025-07-02 20:41

@Anonymous

Ask a lawyer to sort it out.

MLavanchy 2025-04-03 19:23

I would love to reclaim my Swiss identity. Unfortunately my grandfather, bourgeois of Lutry died when my father was 1 month old in Chile. This unfortunate event meant that my father, who is 50% ethically Swiss, with a mysterious fastidiousness for not being late, a love of cheese, a good nose for wine was not registered. By the time he found out about it he was 28 and too late. We still have the letter from the Consul in Chile rejecting his application. Friends of mine have obtained German nationality from grandparents. Obviously Switzerland has a much smaller size and population and I applaud the way they manage immigration generally but I think the fears around people being attracted to welfare are easy to mitigate. Special conditions could be given to these new citizens. I, for one am bemused about the severance to a country my ancestors called home for at least 400 years!

Muncha 2025-04-25 18:06

The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

@MLavanchy

So you think that because you have ancestors from a certain country, you are entitled to nationality? And of course, all your ancestors are Swiss? Which canton? French-speaking or German-speaking? Look, more than half of South America is Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, etc., imagine that now they want to go back, I would say no. In fact, as you think you are Swiss, you know what political system is the Swiss, unique and for me the real democracy, or Direct Democracy, the decisions on these approaches, the Government does not have them, as you know for sure, are the Swiss citizens that by means of Referendum vote on the decisions put on the table. If they voted NO, that those who left, and logically did not contribute to move the country forward, do not want their descendants to return with all the rights that the Swiss have earned working there, and not leaving to another country, without ever returning, perhaps without the descendants knowing the country, the ethnic origins? From the Nordic countries to Spain, we have the same DNA, and a unique gene that we share, I think the E-28, I read "My great European family" a book by Karin Boj that through genetic research in Europe, show that we are from the same tribes that colonized the continent. So much so, that as you know, a hair, saliva or skin flaking, semen, etc. in a murder case, for example, if something is found to discover the origin of a murderer or rapist etc., nowadays we already know if it is European, African, American... You would share the genes of Europeans, but Switzerland is a compendium of French, German, Italian, and even Spanish, which would be complex to identify 100%, but if your ancestors are all European, your genes will say so. You can contact "My Heritage" and buy, it is now very cheap, to saliva test your DNA and provenance, your genetic heritage. Maybe you are of French, French German, German origin "..., but they will tell you your ancestry by that DNA, but I repeat, Mexicans, Argentinians, Cubans etc, Caucasians are all European, except for mulattos, mestizos etc. It is very selfish, I think, to claim citizenship when your country is doing badly, and the country of your ancestors who left it, is doing very well. The other way around, there would be fewer people claiming nationalities of ancestors, that's for sure.

Entonces, tu crees que por tener antepasados de un país determinado, tienes derecho a la nacionalidad? Y por supuesto, todos tus ascendientes son suizos? De que canton? francófono o germanofono?__Mira más de media suramérica es española, italiana, portuguesa, etc, imagina que ahora quieran volver, yo diría no. De hecho, como crees ser suiza, sabes que sistema político es el suizo, único y para mi la auténtica democracia, o Democracia Directa, las decisiones sobre estos planteamientos, no los tiene el Gobierno, como sabes seguro, son los ciudadanos suizos que mediante Referéndum votan sobre las decisiones puestas sobre el tapete. Si votaron NO, a que los que se fueron, y lógicamente no contribuyeron a sacar el país adelante, no desean que vuelvan sus descendientes con todos los derechos que se han ganado los suizos trabajando allí, y no marchando a otro país, sin volver jamás, quizás sin que los descendientes conozcan el país,.__Los orígenes étnicos? Desde los países nórdicos hasta España, tenemos igual ADN, y un gen único, que compartimos, creo el E-28, hace ya que leí “Mi gran familia europea” un libro de Karin Boj que mediante las investigaciones genéticas realizadas en Europa, demuestran que somos de las mismas tribus que colonizamos el continente. Tanto es así,, que como sabes, un pelo, saliva o descamación de piel, semen, etc en un caso de asesinato, por ejemplo, si se encuentra algo para descubrir el origen de un asesino o violador etc, hoy día por eso ya se sabe si es europeo, africano, americano… __Tu compartirías los genes de europeos, pero Suiza, es un compendio de franceses, alemanes, italianos, e incluso españoles, que resultaría complejo de identificar al 100%, eso si, si tus antepasados todos son europeos, tus genes lo dirán. Puedes contactar con “My Heritage” y comprar, ahora es muy barato, para hacerte con saliva tu ADN y procedencia, tu herencia genética. Quizás seas de origen francés, franco alemán, alemán “.., pero te dirán tus ancestros por ese ADN, pero te repito, mejicanos, argentinos, cubanos etc, caucásicos son todos europeos, excepto mulatos, mestizos etc. Es muy egoísta creo, reclamar ciudadanía cuando tu país va mal, y el de tus antepasados que lo dejaron, va muy bien. Al revés, habría menos personas reclamando nacionalidades de antepasados, eso seguro

Orca 2025-04-01 08:59

I am absolutely appalled and disgusted, the way in which the descendants of Swiss emigrants of the past are treated by the Swiss government', today, their officials and politicians, the “new generation” of the so named 'Swiss people representatives'??.
I could tell you a thing or two about it, having for many years travelled, work or business related around the world, installing, servicing and selling advanced Swiss machinery at that time. Needing twice to have my Swiss passport validity updated at some Swiss embassy and/or consulate, because of approaching expiring date. Needless to state, I was treated like a 'second rate' citizen to say the least. At least it had all the signatures thereof. At that time (before Internet was fully established), even though having a legal and valid Swiss passport, they must have spent at least 1 hour to 'investigate' me, discovering that I was in arrears of the military service compensation, even though having had served in the RS and several WK's as a 'Panzergrenadier' in the Swiss Army. Renewal of the passport was declined, if the arrears were not paid. Needless to state, I let them 'have it' in no uncertain terms and they finally 'cleared' the issue with some insignificant 'down payment'.

Schneider 2025-03-31 20:11

The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Hi, when I married a Frenchman in Paris, I was told that I had to mention that I wanted to keep my Swiss nationality, which I did! We had three daughters, who of course didn't have Swiss nationality - BUT the Swiss consul in Dijon in France told me that there would be a time when I could apply for Swiss nationality for my children. THANK YOU Mr OECHSLIN - I took the necessary steps and my three daughters obtained Swiss nationality! Then another law came out that allowed my husband to apply for Swiss nationality if he had been married to a Swiss woman for more than seven years. He had an interview with a Mademoiselle Grauber in Dijon and passed the interview! So my husband is also a Swiss citizen. Our eldest daughter went to live in Switzerland after her studies in France and she still lives there with her family.

Bonjour, quand j'ai épousé un français à Paris, on m'avait bien expliqué que je devais mentionner que je souhaitais garder ma nationalité suisse, ce que j'ai fait! Nous avons eu trois filles, qui n'avaient bien entendu pas la nationalité suisse - MAIS le consul de Suisse à Dijon en France m'a interpellé en m'expliquant qu'il y aura un laps de temps ou je pourrai demander la nationalité suisse pour mes enfants. MERCI Monsieur OECHSLIN - j'ai fait les démarches et mes trois filles ont obtenu la nationalité! Par la suite, une autre loi est sortie, loi qui a permis à mon époux de solliciter la nationalité suisse en tant qu'époux depuis plus de sept ans avec une suissesse. Il y avait plusieurs conditions et il les a rempli, il a eu un entretien avec une Mademoiselle Grauber à Dijon et il a réussi son interrogatoire! Mon époux est donc aussi citoyen suisse. Notre fille ainée est allée vivre en Suisse après ses études en France et elle y vit encore avec sa famille.

Melanie Eichenberger SWI SWISSINFO.CH 2025-04-01 17:11

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@Schneider

Dear Mrs Schneider

Thank you for your comments and I'm glad that the transfer of civil rights worked out for you! Many women were not lucky enough to be made aware of these legal circumstances.

Liebe Frau Schneider

Danke für Ihre Ausführungen und schön, dass für Sie die Weitergabe des Bürgerrechts geklappt hat! Viele Frauen hatten nicht das Glück, dass sie auf diese gesetzlichen Umstände aufmerksam gemacht wurden.

Muncha 2025-04-25 18:13

The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

@Schneider

And if Switzerland were a poor country, as it was, do you think your French husband would have wanted to become Swiss and renounce his nationality? My husband is German, and even if I tell him a hundred thousand times to become Spanish, he doesn't want to. There is no dual nationality, and for sentimental reasons, to renounce his country is like betraying his German ancestors, his land, his history, his life. Imagine if you were Moroccan, Thai, or Sudanese, would your husband exchange his nationality for yours? Of course not. If you are French-speaking Swiss, it is clear that your ancestors were French, and not German, as the other half of Switzerland, everything stays at home.

Y si Suiza fuera un país pobre, como fue, cree que su marido francés hubiera querido ser suizo y renunciar a su nacionalidad? __Mi marido es alemán, y aunque le diga cien mil veces que se nacionalice español, no quiere. No existe doble nacionalidad, y por cuestiones sentimentales, párpados el renunciar a su país, es como traicionar a sus antepasados alemanes, su tierra, su historia, su vida. __Imagine que usted fuera marroquí, tailandesa, o sudanesa, cambiaria su marido su nacionalidad por la suya? Por supuesto que no. __Si usted es suiza francófona, esta claro que sus antepasados fueron franceses, y no alemanes, como la otra mitad suiza, todo queda en casa

Schneider 2025-03-31 20:08

The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Hi, when I married a Frenchman in Paris, I was told that I had to mention that I wanted to keep my Swiss nationality, which I did! We had three daughters, who of course didn't have Swiss nationality - BUT the Swiss consul in Dijon in France told me that there would be a time when I could apply for Swiss nationality for my children. THANK YOU Mr OECHSLIN - I took the necessary steps and my three daughters obtained Swiss nationality! Then another law came out that allowed my husband to apply for Swiss nationality if he'd been married to a Swiss woman for more than seven years. He had an interview with a Mademoiselle Grauber in Dijon and passed his interview! M

Bonjour, quand j'ai épousé un français à Paris, on m'avait bien expliqué que je devais mentionner que je souhaitais garder ma nationalité suisse, ce que j'ai fait! Nous avons eu trois filles, qui n'avaient bien entendu pas la nationalité suisse - MAIS le consul de Suisse à Dijon en France m'a interpellé en m'expliquant qu'il y aura un laps de temps ou je pourrai demander la nationalité suisse pour mes enfants. MERCI Monsieur OECHSLIN - j'ai fait les démarches et mes trois filles ont obtenu la nationalité! Par la suite, une autre loi est sortie, loi qui a permis à mon époux de solliciter la nationalité suisse en tant qu'époux depuis plus de sept ans avec une suissesse. Il y avait plusieurs conditions et il les a rempli, il a eu un entretien avec une Mademoiselle Grauber à Dijon et il a réussi son interrogatoire! M

Swissjen 2025-03-30 18:21

I discovered that lost my Swiss citizenship about 10 years ago when I went to reapply for a passport. I swear on everything that is holy that I signed the document and submitted it to the Washington DC consulatewhen I married my first husband, and American and that I had a passport. My children were covered under this. I got divorced and when I went to marry my second husband, also American, I went to the consulate in LA, signed the document, and I have that original document signed by the consulate. After a great amount of trouble, document gathering and assistance from the consulate who reached out to my home office in S Glarus who confirmed my name was in the Ortsbuch but as a single person. I was told now I need to either marry a Swiss, or suck it up. Another contributor here described it as a stab. To know that I have close relationships with all of my family in Switzerland, and that I am genetically Swiss (born six weeks after my parents arrived in the US, harangues me each day. I have served on the board of the Swiss club, do work for the Swiss Benevolent Society, and I’m still not good enough. They will not consider us under the newly revamped laws even. I want the red book, and I’m not here to take their social resources.

JustTheFacts 2025-07-02 20:45

@Swissjen

Perhaps you are entitled to another EU citizenship by descent? Grandparents not from Switzerland? if so, get that passport, then you can come and go to Switzerland under EU freedom of movement rules.

Diana Benoit 2025-03-29 15:04

The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

My name is Diana Lisette Benoit Seegrove.
I am a daughter of Swiss, granddaughter of Swiss, great-granddaughter of Swiss and all that continues in my line of descent.
I was stripped of my Swiss passport at the Mexican embassy in a very rude and violent manner by an official of the embassy . I tried by various means to get my passport back and they forced me to do my interview in German, when my family language is French. My family is from the canton of Neuchâtel. My father, brothers, sister and mother keep their Swiss nationality, I am the only one in my family who was deprived of it. I want to get it back, I don't think the Swiss legislation is fair to women and the way we are treated, in short, it is gender violence.

Mi nombre es Diana Lisette Benoit Seegrove
Soy hija de Suizo, nieta de Suizo, bisnieta de suizo y todo lo que continúa en mi línea de ascendencia.
Fui despojada de mi pasaporte Suizo en la embajada de México de manera por demás grosera y violenta por un funcionario de la embajada . Intenté por varios medios recuperar mi pasaporte y me obligaban a hacer mi entrevista en Alemán, cuando mi idioma familiar es el francés. Mi familia es del cantón de Neuchâtel. Mi padre, Mis hermanos, hermana y madre conservan su nacionalidad suiza, soy la única de la familia que fue despojada de la misma. Quiero recuperarla no me parece justa la legislación suiza para las mujeres y el trato que se nos da, en definitiva es violencia de género.

Marita 2025-03-25 18:05

The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

My great-great-grandparents came to Argentina with their children My great-grandfather was born in Switzerland and his children were never registered as Swiss If we go back to that time it was practically impossible for them to register their children because the distances and communications were impossible I am talking about more than 400 km from Buenos Aires and practically no roads. My paternal grandparents were all 4 of Swiss origin Although I have Belgian nationality I think that there should be an exception for all Swiss descendants We carry the surname and for me it would be an honour to have Swiss citizenship because I consider it an injustice for all descendants Thank you for allowing me to give my thoughts.
Maria Sturzenegger

Mis tatarabuelos llegaron a Argentina con sus hijos Mi bisabuelo era nacido en Suiza y sus hijos nunca fueron inscriptos como suizos Si nos remontamos a la época era prácticamente imposible que pudieran inscribir sus hijos y’a que las distancias y las comunicaciones eran imposibles Estoy hablando de más de400 km de Bs As y prácticamente sin caminos Mis abuelos paternos eran los 4 de origen suizo Si bien yo tengo la nacionalidad belga pienso que debe haber una excepción para todos los descendientes suizos Llevamos el apellido y para mí sería un honor poder tener la ciudadanía suiza y’a que yo lo considero una injusticia para todos los descendientes Gracias por permitirme dar mi pensamiento
Maria Sturzenegger

Brandt 2025-03-23 18:16

The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

For over 20 years, I've been helping my cousin Nicole, who now lives in San Diego, California, to obtain her Swiss passport. To date, she is registered as a Swiss citizen, her parents having taken the necessary steps when she was a child, as well as her 4 brothers; her father was born in Switzerland and has always retained his Swiss nationality. Born in 1966, married in 1991, Nicole did not make up her mind in the 10 years following the 1992 law and its implementation, as she had not been notified by the Swiss authorities. In 2002, we contacted the civil registry office in the canton of Vaud to check whether she was still registered; she was indeed listed in the civil registry archives in Yverdon. In 2022, after contacting the Swiss consulate in San Francisco and sending them a computer file of my cousin's registration with the Vaud civil registry, then transferred to Lausanne, they sent her a list of all the documents she needed to obtain her passport, which seemed like a mere formality. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, residence certificates, study certificates and other papers were sent to the consulate in SF... We had to call the consulate several times to get things moving, and one day in 2023, my cousin received a call from the consulate telling her that she would never get her Swiss passport, referring to the 1992 law, unless she lived in Switzerland for three consecutive years, in order to obtain facilitated naturalisation... A stab in the back for Nicole, who is very attached to her country of origin, and who comes to Switzerland at least once a year and speaks her father's French more than fluently, even teaching it... Our angry conclusion, which we clearly expressed in the form of a question to the diplomatic authorities concerned: So there are second-class Swiss citizens who are refused passports: married women? We are determined to highlight this injustice and are pleased to learn that politicians are working to remedy it. Our thanks go to Carlo Sommaruga for finally bringing this injustice to light.

Depuis plus de 20 ans, j’accompagne ma cousine Nicole, domiciliée actuellement à San Diego en Californie, dans les démarches pour obtenir son passeport suisse. À ce jour, elle est bien enregistrée à l’état civil comme citoyenne helvétique, ses parents ayant fait cette formalité dès son enfance, ainsi que pour ses 4 frères ; le papa étant né en Suisse et ayant toujours gardé sa nationalité suisse . Née en 1966, mariée en 1991, Nicole ne s’est pas déterminée dans les 10 ans qui ont suivi la loi de 1992 et de la mise en place de son application, faute d’en avoir été avertie par les autorités suisses. En 2002, nous avions contacté l’état civil du canton de Vaud pour vérifier si elle était toujours bien enregistrée ; elle figurait bien dans les archives de l’état civil à Yverdon. En 2022, après avoir contacté le consulat de Suisse à San Francisco et lui avoir transmis en fichier informatique l’inscription de ma cousine à l’état civil vaudois, transféré alors à Lausanne, la liste de tous les documents à fournir lui a été transmise pour l’obtention de son passeport, ce qui semblait n’être qu’une formalité. Certificat de naissance, certificat de mariage, certificats de résidences, certificats d’études et autres papiers ont donc été transmis au consulat de SF… Il a encore fallu relancer plusieurs fois le consulat pour faire avancer les choses, et un jour de 2023, ma cousine a reçu un appel du Consul lui annonçant qu’elle n’aurait jamais son passeport suisse, se référant à la loi de 1992, sauf si elle résidait trois ans consécutifs en Suisse, pour obtenir une naturalisation facilitée… Un coup de poignard pour Nicole, très attachée à son pays d’origine, et qui vient chaque année au moins une fois en Suisse et pratique plus qu’aisément la langue française de son père, l’enseignant même… Notre conclusion qui fâche et que nous avons clairement exprimée sous forme de question auprès des instances diplomatiques concernées : il y a donc des citoyennes suisses de seconde zone à qui on refuse le passeport : les femmes mariées ? Nous sommes déterminées à mettre en avant cette injustice et sommes heureuses d’apprendre que des responsables politiques s’investissent pour la réparer. Notre reconnaissance va à monsieur Carlo Sommaruga qui soulève enfin cette injustice

Melanie Eichenberger SWI SWISSINFO.CH 2025-04-01 17:14

The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

@Brandt

Hello, do I understand you correctly that your cousin has never received her Swiss passport because she did not declare that she wanted to keep her citizenship when she got married in 1991?

Guten Tag, verstehe ich Sie richtig, dass Ihre Cousine den Schweizer Pass bis heute nie erhalten hat, weil sie bei ihrer Heirat 1991 nicht deklariert hat, dass sie das Bürgerrecht behalten will?

Aurelie Gaudard 2025-03-17 21:41

The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

My grandfather had to give up his Swiss nationality in 1937 to go to the Ecole Normale, which trained French primary school teachers. His father was Swiss and his mother French (Swiss by marriage). At the time, the French did not accept dual nationality for their civil servants.
I should point out that my great-grandfather came from a family in the canton of Fribourg known as one of the oldest families in Switzerland... at least 6 centuries of Helvetian settlement! My grandfather had to reluctantly sign a letter of renunciation in 1937, a year after the death of his father. Our Swiss family was his guardians (one of his uncles had taken over from his father).

My father regained Swiss nationality much later, when I was of age. My grandfather died without recovering his Swiss nationality.

As for me, I'm French. I live in France with a French husband who by chance found himself working across the border in German-speaking Switzerland. We've been working in Switzerland for over 25 years. At first my husband couldn't get a permanent residence permit, but as the family grew - the children went to school on the French side - we stayed in France. we stayed in France.

It's a bit surreal for me to see some of my colleagues (Russians, Americans, etc.) become Swiss over time, even though they don't necessarily have the same family or cultural ties to Switzerland as I do.

But that's the way it is

Mon grand père a dû abandonner la nationalité suisse en 1937 pour rentrer à l’école normale qui formait les instituteurs français. Son père était suisse et sa mère française ( suisse par mariage donc). Les français n’acceptaient pas alors la double nationalité pour leurs fonctionnaires .
Je précise que mon arrière grand père est issu d’une famille du canton de Fribourg connue pour être une des plus vieilles famille de Suisse .. au moins 6 siècles d’installation helvète ! Mon grand père a dû faire une lettre de renonciation à contre cœur en 1937, un an après le décès de son père . Notre famille suisse était sa tutrice d’ailleurs ( un de ses oncles avait pris le relais de son père) .

Mon père a récupéré la nationalité suisse bien plus tard alors que j’étais majeure . Mon grand père est décédé sans avoir récupéré sa nationalité suisse

Quand à moi je suis française . Je vis en France avec un mari français qui par hasard s’est retrouvé frontalier avec un boulot en Suisse germanophone. . Nous travaillons en suisse depuis plus de 25 ans. Au départ mon mari ne pouvait pas avoir de permis résidant permanent et de fil en aiguille avec la construction de la famille- les enfants à l’école côté français .. , nous sommes restés en France.

C’est un peu surréaliste pour moi de voir certains de mes collègues ( russes, américains ..) devenir suisse au fil du temps alors qu’ils n’ont pas forcément de liens affectifs familiaux ou culturels comme les miens avec la Suisse

Mais bon ..c’est comme ça

Melanie Eichenberger SWI SWISSINFO.CH 2025-04-03 15:54

The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

@Aurelie Gaudard

Thank you very much for the insight into your story.

Vielen Dank für den Einblick in ihre Geschichte.

Fernando Schifferli S. 2025-03-05 03:44

The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

Very good material. Congratulations, Malenie Eichenberger.

I am a direct descendant of the Swiss settlers sent to Chile (1883-1887 app). Event full of controversy between the governments of the time (Chile and Switzerland).

His father or mother (Swiss descent)
Surname: Schifferli Salazar
Given name(s): Fernando Raúl
Date of birth: 22/09/1950
Place of birth and country: Victoria, Región de Los Ríos, Chile.
Currently holds Swiss nationality in force, in the Canton of Aargau (Aargau).

His grandfather or grandmother (Swiss descent)
Surname: Schifferli Meier
First name(s): Alberto Juan
Date of birth: 28/03/1922
Place of birth and country: Victoria, Región de Los Ríos,Chile.
According to official document, issued by the Département fédéral de justice et police DFJP

Attached is a small part of interesting historical material on the subject:

https://www.amtsdruckschriften.bar.admin.ch/viewOrigDoc/80000037.pdf?id=80000037

https://www.memoriachilena.gob.cl/602/w3-article-85403.html

Heartbreaking commentary on the treatment of the descendants of Swiss settlers:

"More than a few people complain about the lack of consular deference when they apply for a certificate of origin or information about their families. The same is true when they approach the cantons or the administration in Berne directly.

"Either they receive us badly, or they tell us directly that we have no rights," emphasises Enrique Luchsinger, who has been trying for years to have his father's consular registration recognised, the only way to recover his lost nationality.

But Sergio Conus, who knows that he has almost lost everything "due to age and ignorance of the language", says: "Just think that it will be thanks to the renewed interest of the new generations of descendants that Switzerland will continue to be spoken of in this part of the world".

Source: https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/vida-tercera-edad/los-descendientes-suizos-de-la-araucan%C3%ADa/3789370

Muy buen material. La felicito, Malenie Eichenberger.

Soy descendiente directo de los colonos suizos enviado a Chile (1883-1887 app). Evento repleto de polémicas entre los gobiernos de la época (Chile y Suiza).

Su padre o madre (descendencia suiza)
Apellido: Schifferli Salazar
Nombre (s): Fernando Raúl
Fecha de nacimiento: 22/09/1950
Lugar de nacimiento y país: Victoria, Región de Los Ríos,Chile.
Actualmente cuenta con nacionalidad suiza vigente, en el Cantón de Aargau (Argovia).

Su abuelo o abuela (descendencia suiza)
Apellido: Schifferli Meier
Nombre (s): Alberto Juan
Fecha de nacimiento: 28/03/1922
Lugar de nacimiento y país: Victoria, Región de Los Ríos,Chile.
Según documento oficial, emitido por el Département fédéral de justice et police DFJP

Adjunto una pequeña parte del interesante material histórico al respecto:

https://www.amtsdruckschriften.bar.admin.ch/viewOrigDoc/80000037.pdf?id=80000037

https://www.memoriachilena.gob.cl/602/w3-article-85403.html

Comentario desgarrador sobre el trato hacia los descendientes de colonos suizos:

»No son pocos los que reprochan la poca deferencia consular cuando acuden a solicitar algún certificado de origen o alguna información sobre sus familias. Y lo mismo sucede cuando los interesados se dirigen directamente a los cantones o a la administración en Berna.

“O nos reciben mal, o nos dicen directamente que no tenemos ningún derecho”, enfatiza Enrique Luchsinger, que lleva años tratando de que le reconozcan la inscripción consular de su padre, única manera de recuperar su nacionalidad perdida.

Pero Sergio Conus, quien sabe que lo tiene casi todo perdido “por la edad y el desconocimiento del idioma”, dice: «Piense que de todas maneras será gracias al renovado interés de las nuevas generaciones de descendientes que se seguirá hablando de Suiza en esta parte del mundo».

Fuente: https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/vida-tercera-edad/los-descendientes-suizos-de-la-araucan%C3%ADa/3789370

Daniel Beccar 2025-03-04 16:17

The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

My wife, a Swiss grandfather from the canton of Vaud, granted me citizenship, but I had to fulfil a number of requirements and it was not easy, so they should be a bit more flexible if there are verifiable links.

Mi Sra, Suiza,por abuelo del canton de Vaud,me otorgó la ciudadanía, de todas formas tuve que cumplir con una serie de requisitos y no fue fácil.Deberian flexibilizár un poco si hay lazos comprobables.Muchas gracias.

Melanie Eichenberger SWI SWISSINFO.CH 2025-03-10 11:12

The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

@Daniel Beccar

What were the conditions? Would you like to tell us about them?

Welche Bedingungen waren das? Wollen Sie uns davon erzählen?

Fernando Schifferli S. 2025-03-02 00:58

The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

Very good material. Congratulations, Malenie Eichenberger.

I am a direct descendant of the Swiss settlers sent to Chile (1883-1887 app). Event full of controversy between the governments of the time (Chile and Switzerland).

His father or mother (Swiss descent)
Surname: Schifferli Salazar
Given name(s): Fernando Raúl
Date of birth: 22/09/1950
Place of birth and country: Victoria, Región de Los Ríos, Chile.
Currently holds Swiss nationality in force, in the Canton of Aargau (Aargau).

His grandfather or grandmother (Swiss descent)
Surname: Schifferli Meier
First name(s): Alberto Juan
Date of birth: 28/03/1922
Place of birth and country: Victoria, Región de Los Ríos,Chile.
According to official document, issued by the Département fédéral de justice et police DFJP

Attached is a small part of interesting historical material on the subject:

https://www.amtsdruckschriften.bar.admin.ch/viewOrigDoc/80000037.pdf?id=80000037

https://bibliotecadigital.ufro.cl/?a=view&item=1280https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/vida-tercera-edad/los-descendientes-suizos-de-la-araucan%C3%ADa/3789370

Heartbreaking commentary on the treatment of the descendants of Swiss settlers:

"More than a few people reproach the lack of consular deference when they apply for a certificate of origin or information about their families. The same is true of those who approach the cantons or the administration in Berne directly.

"Either they receive us badly, or they tell us directly that we have no rights," emphasises Enrique Luchsinger, who has been trying for years to have his father's consular registration recognised, the only way to recover his lost nationality.

But Sergio Conus, who knows that he has almost lost everything "due to age and ignorance of the language", says: "Just think that it will be thanks to the renewed interest of the new generations of descendants that Switzerland will continue to be spoken of in this part of the world".

Source: https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/vida-tercera-edad/los-descendientes-suizos-de-la-araucan%C3%ADa/3789370

Muy buen material. La felicito, Malenie Eichenberger.

Soy descendiente directo de los colonos suizos enviado a Chile (1883-1887 app). Evento repleto de polémicas entre los gobiernos de la época (Chile y Suiza).

Su padre o madre (descendencia suiza)
Apellido: Schifferli Salazar
Nombre (s): Fernando Raúl
Fecha de nacimiento: 22/09/1950
Lugar de nacimiento y país: Victoria, Región de Los Ríos,Chile.
Actualmente cuenta con nacionalidad suiza vigente, en el Cantón de Aargau (Argovia).

Su abuelo o abuela (descendencia suiza)
Apellido: Schifferli Meier
Nombre (s): Alberto Juan
Fecha de nacimiento: 28/03/1922
Lugar de nacimiento y país: Victoria, Región de Los Ríos,Chile.
Según documento oficial, emitido por el Département fédéral de justice et police DFJP

Adjunto una pequeña parte del interesante material histórico al respecto:

https://www.amtsdruckschriften.bar.admin.ch/viewOrigDoc/80000037.pdf?id=80000037

https://bibliotecadigital.ufro.cl/?a=view&item=1280https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/vida-tercera-edad/los-descendientes-suizos-de-la-araucan%C3%ADa/3789370

Comentario desgarrador sobre el trato hacia los descendientes de colonos suizos:

»No son pocos los que reprochan la poca deferencia consular cuando acuden a solicitar algún certificado de origen o alguna información sobre sus familias. Y lo mismo sucede cuando los interesados se dirigen directamente a los cantones o a la administración en Berna.

“O nos reciben mal, o nos dicen directamente que no tenemos ningún derecho”, enfatiza Enrique Luchsinger, que lleva años tratando de que le reconozcan la inscripción consular de su padre, única manera de recuperar su nacionalidad perdida.

Pero Sergio Conus, quien sabe que lo tiene casi todo perdido “por la edad y el desconocimiento del idioma”, dice: «Piense que de todas maneras será gracias al renovado interés de las nuevas generaciones de descendientes que se seguirá hablando de Suiza en esta parte del mundo».

Fuente: https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/vida-tercera-edad/los-descendientes-suizos-de-la-araucan%C3%ADa/3789370

Ex-Swiss 2025-02-09 19:13

Ex-Swiss
Born in Switzerland, emigrated to Canada with parents. Grew up in Montreal, Quebec, learned French, English, spoke Swiss. Went to Swiss consulate for 21st birthday because I retained my Swiss citizenship but was never told that I would lose it if I married a nonSwiss.
Moved to western Canada, Calgary where I met my husband. I found out from a Swiss neighbor that I lost my Swiss citizenship & I had missed the date by which to register so I phoned consulate in Vancouver but was told I’d hafta go live In Switzerland which was impossible. Other sister retained her Swiss citizenship even though not born there Went to visit relatives in Switzerland & my cousin registered me in Bern but I never followed up because my Swiss German isn’t the best.
Now my daughter lives in Germany & would love to become Swiss. I have no idea what to do about helping her with that. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Smiss 2025-01-30 11:29

Gaining Swiss citizenship didn't change much. I guess voting is nice enough but it's not as if there were really any noticeable differences from my life under the B/C permits and having a Swiss passport (though speaking of passports, it is nicer to travel under the Swiss passport versus the US). After a decade of living here nothing changed overnight nor really the decade since then. Now if you want to discuss the difference in residence that's an entirely different story.

Unlike being forced to give up citizenship, the US keeps a tight grip on its expats. Switzerland bows to the US on all things financial and of course this hurts Swiss citizens holding US citizenship as well. US citizenship was automatically given to my Swiss born and raised daughters (against my wishes) and this financial slavery is also applied to them (sone Swiss banks refuse them accounts even). Oh...and renunciation of US citizenship is about $1'500 just to put in the application. You can add account and lawyer fees to that..as well as any "exit tax" the US sees fit (and parents can't renounce for their children).

Melanie Eichenberger SWI SWISSINFO.CH 2025-02-21 10:51

The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

@Smiss

Thank you for your contribution. So you see a disadvantage in having two citizenships? Does the financial cost prevent you from renouncing your US citizenship?

Vielen Dank für Ihren Beitrag. Sie sehen also einen Nachteil, wenn man zwei Staatsbürgerschaften besitzt? Hindert Sie der finanzielle Aufwand daran, auf die US-Staatsbürgerschaft zu verzichten?

Smiss 2025-02-23 17:47

@Melanie Eichenberger

I don't see much advantage of US citizenship versus plenty of disadvantages. No need for an ESTA when I get back every few years? Voting for corrupt political party A versus corrupt political party B? Whose lobbyists do you prefer? And the parasitic lobbies that corrupt both sides? Not much to be done for them as long as it remains legal for US politicians to openly take bribes in the form of "donations"..

And for those "privileges" financial slavery. If China pulled the same thing we'd be hearing how Chinese expats are oppressed and TSR would be putting out the typical anti-china propaganda on Wuhan and Ulghers.

The fee and harassment of renunciation aren't particularly concerns in a country where I spend as much for 2 weeks of groceries. I've heard complaints from others in the expat community which find the costs and process prohibitive.

I haven't renounced because my Swiss born and raised children were infested with US citizenship at birth. I will retain US citizenship until they become fully legal adults in 8 years.

Stefano_Novaliere 2025-01-30 00:43

The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

My Swiss ancestors, who emigrated to Argentina at the end of the 21st century: Giovanni Bettini (from Ticino), Emma Roth, Meinrad Sebastian Fischer (both from Solothurn) and Emilia Guenier (Vaud), lost their citizenship because they settled in agricultural colonies far away from Swiss embassies or consulates, in the interior of the provinces of Córdoba and Santa Fé. In those days, travelling long distances (more than 300km in these cases) was not possible, especially if they lived far from train stations.

Mis antepasados suizos, emigrados a la Argentina a finales del Siglo XXI: Giovanni Bettini (proveniente de Ticino), Emma Roth, Meinrad Sebastian Fischer (ambos de Soleura) y Emilia Guenier (Vaud); perdieron la ciudadanía ya que se establecieron en colonias agrícolas muy lejos de las embajadas o consulados suizos, en el interior de la Provincia de Córdoba y Santa Fé. En aquellos tiempos, viajar grandes distancias (más de 300km en estos casos) no era algo posible, menos aún si vivían lejos de estaciones de tren.

Did you lose or gain Swiss citizenship? How did that affect your life?

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