Hi all


I've resigned from my current company and will in the middle/end of April. I am looking for a Job in IoT field because I have experience in electronics and computer. But finding a job in IoT field is a bit difficult in Basel area and I do not want to move somewhere else.


I am going to apply for swiss citizenship in July/August and also thinking to apply for the unemployment fund (Arbeitslosenkassen) until I find an IoT job. I do not want to work as a regular software developer. (Maybe I can continue with my start up company but I will need a bit money and probably will spend a lot till sell a product)


My question is that, how does Arbeitslosenkassen effect my citizenship process? It is not a social help. I think they are different.




What shall I do? If it is really not good, then I will look for a regular development job..



PS: my wife is swiss and I have a C permit through VINTA.

Arbeitslosenkassen is not social help, its an insurance that you paid into while you have a job. IMO, it should have no impact on your citizenship application. But I don't have direct experience or know anyone who applied for citizenship while on RAV.

Yes, it can, and it does. I would NOT voluntarily give up a job at the time of applying for the process (very different to becoming un-employed through not fault of your own - as when a business closes, etc.). For instance, Johnson and Johnson is behaving really badly here in NE, making a huge number redundant and refusing to abide by the Union's agreement re social plan. Anyone in the local Communes would be aware of this, and therefore would not consider the unemployed person at fault at all.

Remember that naturalisation starts with the Gemeinde/Commune - and that those making the decisions are not experts and follow their own rules, within a very lose framework. If you make yourself voluntarily unemployed, they are very likely to want to know why- and be concerned you would become a 'burden'.

No it doesn't and it does not. At least where I live...

Resigning without another offer is considered being unemployed 'by owns own fault' per Art. 44 Abs. 1 lit. c AVIV and would be penalized for benefits.

This will for sure negatively influence a citizenship application.

From the SEM guidelines on ordinary naturalisation, point 321/141
https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/de/home...rgerrecht.html

OP, it could be interpreted that you are not willing to provide for your needs because you resigned only to find yourself claiming unemployment insurance. Of course these are 'just' SEM guidelines which are a bare skeleton, cantons and communes have much more flexibility to interpret as they please.

I would advise to apply for citizenship once on an indefinite contract.

Was unemployed when I had my Gemeinde interview, was not an issue for me....

however, did you resign from your job of your own volition? It very much depends on the reasons for being unemployed.

Why would you not apply for the unemployment insurance that you paid premiums for during your employment?

All Swiss would and you need to show integration and understanding the system, it would be very odd not to claim.

The question for naturalisation is whether, in the long run, you can financially support yourself and not be a burden on the state. If you've been employed here for ten years, and have good prospects for a new job then it shouldn't be an issue. Of course, actually having that new job would make the process easier so personally I would delay application for naturalisation if I didn't have a job.

Long story short:

Unemployment/unemployment insurance itself isn't a deal breaker, but your local commune might not approve "town citizenship" unless you have a job.

Social welfare on the other hand is a deal-breaker.

You might have to decide what is more important to you: your pride or Swiss citizenship

I asked this question directly in Zurich and told it has no impact on a citizenship application.

Nor should it.

Agreed, but Zurich is the most liberal city/canton in this regard. The OP should enquire with his/her local gemeinde, as their opinion is what is relevant to him/her.

It does not matter, nor does it matter if you draw unemployment benefits either. That said there is a general requirement under FMOP to establish economic viability within five years. Now for the majority this is not an issue, but if you've had a patchy employment record, with large blocks of benefits included, it can be a problem.


I have a neighbor who's strategy was to rack up two years benefits, then go unemployed and repeat... She was rejected for that reason by the Geminde.

Just wondering, have you ever been elected and served on a naturalisation board for your Commune/Gemeinde- and been part of the process?

It just depends who happen to be on it - and how they see things and perceive you, and your reasons for being unemployed, or why you made yourself voluntarily unemployed (btw, I have).

And it depends on who you are and who you know etc...

- A colleague of mine who played for the local football team, was waiting to hand in his papers, the president of the club and the Geminde came along spotted him. He just took the papers of him and went a way. A little later, he came back, gave the tumps up and told the colleague, no problem, all done. He got final approval within 6 months.

- In my own case I was told across the stammtisch: you don't need to come for the meeting, we finished the paperwork today!

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"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." - Nelson Mandela

Exactly...as they say there are 2000 ways to get citizenship in Switzerland. If the OP has a EU passport I could understand the hesitancy, but if not it seems like a no-brainer.

We missed house purchase opportunities because we needed to maintain the minimum residency requirements for citizenship, as this we considered more important.

Thanks, this is good to know. I was told getting money from RAV might have an impact or you need to pay back the money.