Approximately 90 % of the questioned foreign residents report that the COVID-19 pandemic did not change their plans to acquire Swiss citizenship. Only 6 % felt that the pandemic did change their plans, as they realized that the naturalization process would stabilize their situation in Switzerland.

Out of the respondents, who had migrated to Switzerland for other reasons than family or a job, 50 % indicated that the pandemic had changed their plans as they felt the need to acquire Swiss citizenship. 28% of the migrants with no or only a secondary level of education felt that they needed to stabilize their citizenship status as opposed to 19 % of the respondents with a graduate degree. Out of migrants who felt they needed to change their plans as per naturalization 20% were of Indian, 15 % of African, and 15 % Polish origins among a few other nationalities and ethnic groups.

How did foreign residents feel about living in Switzerland during the pandemic?

Did the pandemic affect the migrants’ plans to stay in Switzerland?

What was the impact of COVID-19 on the professional situation of migrants?

Where did migrants stay during the pandemic?

Did local residents demonstrate empathy towards migrants?

Have migrants experienced discrimination due to the COVID-19 outbreak?

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Sources: Migration-Mobility Survey 2020, nccr – on the move

Note on methodology: These figures are taken from the Migration-Mobility Survey, conducted in fall 2022 on a population of persons born abroad and with foreign citizenship who have moved to Switzerland in the last 14 years. To be included in the sample population, respondents had to be between 24 and 64 years of age at the time of the survey, and at least 18 years of age on their arrival in Switzerland. 7,393 people replied to the full questionnaire, either online or by telephone.

The question asked: Did COVID-19 outbreak affect your plans regarding naturalization?
– Yes, I realized that naturalization is a way to stabilize my stay in Switzerland.
– Yes, I realized that I no longer want to naturalize in Switzerland.
– Yes, for other reasons.
– No.

Terms of use: Mobility Indicators are made available free of charge for non-commercial use. We ask the users to acknowledge the source.

Suggested citation: nccr – on the move, Migration-Mobility Indicators. Neuchâtel: nccr – on the move, 2021.

For more information about the data sets used, please click here.

Last update: 11 January 2022