Early granting of settlement permit C.
Foreign nationals who hold a residence permit and have successfully integrated can apply for a settlement permit to be issued early after an orderly and uninterrupted stay of five years. There are various cumulative criteria that the applicant must meet in order to establish successful integration and to be granted a settlement permit early. In principle, families (married couples or parents with underage children) can only submit an application for early issue of a permanent residence permit together. 

For applications from single adult foreigners, it is assumed that they have an absolutely impeccable reputation, that they provide a certificate attesting to their command of the German language according to level B1 of the European Language Portfolio (oral and written) and that they have been gainfully employed during the last five years of their stay in Switzerland and have never had to be supported by social welfare.

Children who are not yet of school age are included in their parents’ decision. Children up to the age of twelve who are required to attend school must provide a confirmation from the school authorities which provides information about their performance at school and certifies that they are well integrated (including an assessment of their German language skills). Minor children over the age of twelve must meet the same requirements as adult individuals.

The time requirements for nationals of certain countries are already fulfilled after an uninterrupted and proper stay of five years on the basis of settlement contracts and settlement agreements.

In the case of EU or EFTA nationals, the granting of a permanent residence permit is governed by the provisions of the FNIA and the settlement agreements, as the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons with the EU does not contain any provisions on permanent residence permits.

Citizens of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and EFTA (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) are granted a permanent residence permit on the basis of settlement agreements or on the basis of reciprocal rights after a proper and uninterrupted stay of five years, provided they meet the necessary requirements. No such agreements exist for nationals of other EU member states.