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Who gets to become Swiss — and why does it depend on where you live?
In this video, Gianni D’Amato and Anne Kristol explore how access to Swiss citizenship varies across the country, and what really shapes naturalisation decisions.
Drawing on their research at the nccr – on the move, they show that citizenship is not just a legal process. Local rules, direct democracy, and everyday assumptions all play a role. Depending on the canton or municipality, the path to a Swiss passport can look very different.
Their findings also reveal how unwritten expectations influence decisions. Ideas about gender roles, social class, and ethnicity can shape who is seen as a “deserving” citizen — and who is not.
This means that even people who have lived in Switzerland for decades, or who were born and raised there, may still be treated as outsiders.
This video is part of a series marking 12 years of research at the nccr – on the move, supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), and produced by RebelMango.
💬 What do you think — should citizenship depend on where you live? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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