Second Citizenship for Switzerland: Top Countries and Easiest Routes

Swiss citizens can legally hold a second passport through ancestry, residency, marriage, or investment migration programs. Italy and Portugal are among the most popular options for European mobility and lifestyle planning.

Meanwhile, countries like Canada and Australia are often considered for long-term relocation and family migration.

Switzerland allows dual citizenship, but the important detail is that the second country must also permit dual nationality, otherwise Swiss citizens could still be required to renounce one citizenship under the other country’s laws.

This article covers:

• Can you have double nationality in Switzerland?
• What is the best second passport to have for Swiss citizens?
• What is the easiest 2nd passport to get?
• Where do Swiss people emigrate?
• Why do people leave Switzerland?
• How powerful is a Swiss passport?
• Is it worth it to have two passports?

Key Takeaways:

• Switzerland generally allows dual and multiple citizenships.
• Italian ancestry and EU residency pathways are common options for a Switzerland second passport.
• Many Swiss emigrants relocate for lifestyle, retirement, or cost-of-living reasons.
• A second citizenship for Swiss citizens can expand residency, business, and family opportunities globally.

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Can you have two passports in Switzerland?

Yes. Switzerland generally allows dual and multiple citizenships under the Swiss Nationality Act, meaning Swiss citizens are not normally required to give up their Swiss nationality when acquiring another passport.

Likewise, foreigners naturalizing in Switzerland are usually allowed to retain their original citizenship if their home country also permits it.

Some countries still restrict or prohibit dual nationality, which could require applicants to renounce one citizenship during the naturalization process.

There are also practical considerations beyond legality.

For internationally mobile Swiss families, these factors are often reviewed before pursuing a second passport.

Which country is best for a second passport for Swiss?

The most practical and commonly pursued options for a second passport for Swiss citizens are often Italy, Portugal, France, Canada, and Australia due to ancestry connections, cross-border mobility, retirement migration, and established Swiss expatriate communities in these countries.

Italy

Italy is one of the strongest second passport options for Swiss citizens because of the long history of Italian migration into Switzerland.

Many Swiss families, especially in Ticino and major urban areas, may qualify for Italian citizenship by descent.

• Key route: Citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis)
• Key requirement: Proof of uninterrupted Italian lineage; eligibility may extend several generations back
• Typical cost: Around €3,000–€10,000+ including document retrieval, translations, and legal assistance
• Estimated timeline: Roughly 1–3 years depending on consulate backlog or court process

Portugal

Portugal has become increasingly popular among Swiss retirees, entrepreneurs, and remote workers seeking lower living costs and a warmer lifestyle within Europe.

• Key route: Residency-to-citizenship pathway
• Key requirement: Legal residency, language integration, and maintaining ties to Portugal
• Typical cost: Often €10,000–€50,000+ depending on relocation structure and investment strategy
• Estimated timeline: Usually around 5 years before citizenship eligibility

France

France is one of the most practical second passport destinations for Swiss citizens because of the strong cross-border relationship between the two countries.

Many Swiss nationals already live, work, or retire in France, particularly near Geneva and other border regions.

• Key route: Long-term residency leading to naturalization
• Key requirement: Continuous legal residence, French language integration, and cultural assimilation
• Typical cost: Usually €5,000–€15,000+ including residency, legal, and relocation expenses
• Estimated timeline: Generally around 5 years of residence before citizenship eligibility

Canada

Canada remains one of the most popular long-term migration destinations for Swiss citizens seeking family relocation or professional opportunities abroad.

• Key route: Skilled migration leading to permanent residency and citizenship
• Key requirement: Points-based qualification involving age, education, language, and work experience
• Typical cost: Roughly CAD 5,000–20,000+ including immigration, legal, and relocation expenses
• Estimated timeline: Around 3–5 years from permanent residency to citizenship

Australia

Australia is a major destination for younger Swiss professionals and families seeking lifestyle migration and skilled worker opportunities.

• Key route: Skilled migration and permanent residency
• Key requirement: Occupation eligibility, English proficiency, and points-based immigration qualification
• Typical cost: Often AUD 8,000–25,000+ including visa, migration, and relocation expenses
• Estimated timeline: Usually 4–6 years before citizenship eligibility

Which is the easiest second passport to get?

For Swiss citizens, the easiest second passport options are typically Italy by descent, Portugal through residency, and Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs like Dominica or St. Kitts and Nevis.

These routes are popular because they often have clearer eligibility rules, faster timelines, or limited residency requirements.

Italy by Descent: No investment requirement, often no relocation needed, and eligibility can extend several generations

Portugal (Residency Route): Clear 5-year pathway and relatively flexible residency rules

Caribbean Citizenship by Investment: Offers a fast-track citizenship route based on a qualifying financial contribution rather than ancestry or residence.

Countries such as Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis typically require an investment of around US$200,000–US$250,000+, based on the program and family structure.

Processing is relatively fast, with approval often taking around 3–6 months once due diligence and documentation are completed.

Where do Swiss migrate to?

Swiss citizens predominantly migrate to nearby European countries, with France, Germany, and Italy ranking as the top destinations, followed by Portugal, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Recent Swiss government data shows that nearly half of all Swiss citizens living abroad reside in neighboring countries, reflecting how geography and cross-border work opportunities strongly shape migration patterns.

Many Swiss citizens live in cross-border regions while continuing to work in Switzerland or nearby economic hubs.

Portugal has also become increasingly attractive in recent years, particularly for Swiss retirees, entrepreneurs, and remote workers, due to its lower cost of living and warmer climate compared to Switzerland.

Why do people emigrate from Switzerland?

People emigrate from Switzerland mainly due to high living costs, cross-border career opportunities, and lifestyle preferences such as warmer climates or more flexible retirement options, rather than economic or political pressure.

Recent trends show a gradual increase in departures among working-age professionals, retirees, and internationally mobile families.

Remote work and cross-border employment have also made relocation easier without fully leaving Swiss-linked careers or business networks.

Switzerland remains a net immigration country, so emigration is relatively selective and tends to reflect personal or professional planning rather than large-scale outflow.

Common reasons include:

• High cost of living, particularly housing in Zurich, Geneva, and Zug
• Cross-border job opportunities and international career moves
• Desire for warmer climates and different lifestyle environments
• Early retirement relocation to lower-cost European countries
• Remote work enabling geographic flexibility without career loss
• Family, language, or heritage ties abroad

Is Swiss the strongest passport?

Switzerland is a top-tier elite passport, but not the undisputed strongest passport globally.

It consistently ranks among the world’s strongest passports due to access to around 170-180+ visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations and its strong international reputation.

Swiss passport rankings across major indices

Is it a good idea to have two passports?

For Swiss citizens, a second passport is often most useful for expanding international flexibility, retirement options, family mobility, or long-term relocation planning.

Since Switzerland already provides exceptional political stability, strong institutions, and one of the world’s most powerful passports, dual citizenship is typically pursued to complement Swiss nationality rather than replace it.

However, dual citizenship can also create complications involving:

• Swiss military service obligations: Swiss conscription or civilian service obligations can still apply even after acquiring another citizenship.
• Relocation trade-offs: Long-term residence abroad can mean giving up access to Switzerland’s domestic social and pension-linked systems.
• Cross-border residency exposure: Living between Switzerland and another country can place individuals under overlapping residency-linked rules and obligations.
• Pension system fragmentation: Contributions and benefits may be split across Swiss and foreign systems, requiring long-term coordination.

EU vs Non-EU Second Passport Strategy for Swiss Citizens

Second citizenship options for Swiss citizens are best understood through the type of rights they unlock, rather than individual countries.

Since Switzerland already provides strong global mobility, most strategies focus on whether a second passport enhances regional access or supports relocation outside Europe.

EU-linked citizenships such as Italy, France, and Portugal primarily expand legal rights within the European Union, including the ability to live, work, and own property across member states.

These options are especially relevant given Switzerland’s non-EU status and its deep economic and social integration with the EU.

Non-EU citizenships such as Canada and Australia are typically used for relocation beyond Europe, offering alternative long-term residence environments, healthcare systems, and immigration frameworks.

These are generally chosen by individuals planning a structural move outside the European region.

A third category, citizenship-by-investment programs in the Caribbean, operates on a different logic entirely, focusing on speed and optionality rather than residence-based integration.

These are often used as supplementary nationality tools rather than relocation pathways.

Conclusion

For Swiss citizens, the key decision is not which category is better, but which type of legal function is missing from their current international setup.

Once basic mobility is already secured through a Swiss passport, second citizenship becomes a tool for filling specific structural gaps such as regional work rights, long-term relocation options, or financial and lifestyle diversification across jurisdictions.

As global mobility frameworks become more regulated, second citizenship is increasingly used as a planning mechanism rather than a standalone benefit.

For more complex cross-border situations, speaking with a financial advisor in Switzerland can help clarify how different residency and citizenship choices may affect long-term planning.

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