Marriage equality
Since 1 July 2022, marriage is open to all couples, heterosexual and homosexual. Registered partnership remains available but can no longer be concluded (existing couples can stay in partnership or convert to marriage).
Marriage procedure
Conditions
- Minimum age 18 (minors: strict ban except rare cases)
- Capacity of judgment
- No close family ties
- No existing marriage (unless divorce/death of previous spouse)
- Valid residence permit for non-Swiss
Documents (Swiss couple)
- Both birth certificates
- ID
- Proof of address
- If previously married: divorce decree or death certificate
- If common children: birth certificates
Additional documents (international couple)
- Certificate of marital capacity from country of origin (Hague convention)
- Legalisation or apostille of foreign documents
- Sworn translations into French/German/Italian
- Often long delays (4–6 months)
Steps
- File submission at civil registry of one of the partners
- Examination: 4–12 weeks
- Banns publication: 10-day minimum posting
- Civil ceremony: by appointment, free or with modest cantonal fees (CHF 30–150)
- Marriage certificate: issued immediately
Fees
- File examination: CHF 75–300
- Ceremony: CHF 30–300 (varies by canton)
- Foreign documents (apostille, translations): variable, budget CHF 200–1,000+
- Total estimated: CHF 300–1,500
Default matrimonial regime
The legal regime in Switzerland is participation in acquests (Art. 196–220 CC). This means:
- Each spouse keeps personal assets acquired before marriage
- Assets acquired during marriage (acquests) are shared on divorce
- You can choose a different regime by marriage contract (separation of assets, universal community)
Legal effects
- Duty of assistance and loyalty
- Name choice: option to keep your name or take spouse's
- Maintenance on separation/divorce
- Automatic succession: spouse inherits with children or alone
- Hospital visit rights as next of kin
- Taxation: joint taxation (sometimes marriage penalty, but advantage if large income gap)
- LPP, AVS: widow/widower pension, pension asset sharing
Marriage abroad
Civil marriage abroad is recognised in Switzerland if it meets Swiss standards:
- Procedure before an official authority
- Documents translated and legalised
- Registration in Swiss civil registry via commune of residence (free or CHF 50–150)
Registered partnership (pre-2022)
Couples in registered partnership (same-sex only pre-2022):
- Can keep their status or convert to marriage (simplified procedure)
- Same matrimonial effects as marriage except child adoption (limited before 2022, now open)
Divorce
- Amicable: simplified procedure, single hearing, 6–12 months
- Unilateral: after 2 years of effective separation
- Contentious: if major disagreement, longer and pricier
- Fees: CHF 1,500–15,000+ depending on complexity (asset split, custody, maintenance)
Tips
- Plan 6–12 months for international couples
- Consider a marriage contract if you have assets or children from previous unions
- Notary recommended for complex estate situations
- International recognition: also check recognition in your partner's country of origin
- Religious marriages: no civil value in Switzerland, civil marriage mandatory first
