The current legislation on Swiss nationality is based on the following principles:

• Citizenship rights at three levels: communal, cantonal and Swiss federal citizenship rights
• Acquisition of nationality by descent
• Equal rights for men and women
• Entitlement to Swiss nationality (naturalisation, simplified naturalisation)

The Federal Law on the Acquisition and Loss of Swiss Nationality of 29 September 1952 came into force on 1 January 1953 and has since been amended several times. A major revision of the Citizenship Law entered into force on 1 January 2006.

Swiss law permits dual nationality; in other words the acquisition of foreign citizenship rights does not affect Swiss citizenship rights. However certain countries demand that a person who acquires the nationality of that country must renounce previous citizenship rights.

More than half of all Swiss nationals residing abroad are also nationals of another state, usually the state in which they live. These dual nationals are treated solely as nationals of the country of residence by the authorities of that country. This general rule can have certain consequences if a Swiss national needs help in matters relating to consular protection or welfare, since the law of the country of residence normally applies.