Typically, the role of municipal naturalisation committees in Switzerland is to decide whether candidates for citizenship - once they had been vetted and approved by the federal and cantonal immigration authorities - are sufficiently integrated into the life of their communities.
In some instances, an applicant may be asked to appear in front of several local residents who will ask questions to find out how much the foreigner knows about the community where they live, and how active they are in its life.
In most cases, these ‘getting-to-know-you’ sessions go off without a hitch, but in others – as some candidates have found out the hard way - it poses a risk of arbitrary or discriminatory decisions based on personal, rather than objective and unbiased, criteria.
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In the canton of Zurich, however, fewer local authorities still conduct these face-to-face interviews.
Why is that?
More Zurich communities now prefer to assess the candidate’s integration from letters of motivation.
In 2022, only 7 percent requested such letters; today, their number jumped to 41 percent.
At the same time, fewer personal interviews are taking place; in 2022, 71 percent of the municipalities conducted such interviews in every case; in 2025, the proportion fell to 51 percent.
What is a letter of motivation?
It is a personal statement that accompanies the naturalisation application.
Written in the official language of the canton where you live, it should explain why you would like to become a Swiss citizen.
For instance, a successful letter details the candidate’s appreciation for Swiss values, way of life, and society in general.
It should also mention your involvement or volunteer activities in your community’s affairs – whether it be via a local choir, school, or fire brigade.
READ ALSO: How foreign residents can become part of their local Swiss community
However…this letter should not be confused with, or replaced by, a reference letter.
Among the documents and procedures that are normally required for the application process is a character reference from people (Swiss citizens) who know you well.
The purpose of the references is not to sing you praises and tell what a nice person you are — or, at least, not just that.
Instead, they should focus on what is most important to Swiss authorities, that is, your integration, behaviour, and character.
Therefore, the letter should include information such as how long the person has known you and how you met; examples of specific acts that prove your worthiness to become Swiss — for example, of you helping out in neighbourhood events, involvement in various local causes, volunteering, and everything else that shows your willingness to be part of your community.
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