Allgemeine Informationen

How many binational couples are there in Switzerland?

According to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), a total of 34% of marriages entered into in Switzerland in 2020 were mixed nationalities, with one spouse holding a Swiss passport. Swiss citizens born abroad were more than twice as likely to marry a person of foreign nationality than their Swiss-born compatriots (51% versus 22%). More than half of marriages between foreign nationals (born abroad or in Switzerland) were with Swiss citizens (between 53% and 55%).

The above statistics do not include marriages concluded abroad, couples living together in cohabitation, or registered partnerships.

Further information on statistical data can be found here:
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What is different about binational couples than other couples?

A binational couple must overcome numerous legal, social, cultural, and financial hurdles to live together. If they succeed, a binational relationship can be all the more enriching. The following is a non-exhaustive list of characteristics of binational couples:

Framework conditions
For reasons of residency, a binational couple often has to consider marriage or a registered partnership after only a short time of dating, because living together in Switzerland without marriage or a registered partnership is not possible (except for EU citizens). In other words, there is often a lack of time to get to know each other, to familiarize themselves with their partner's social and cultural background, or to settle into Switzerland.

Relationship
Binational couples are not fundamentally different from couples who come from the same cultural background. For both, each person is a world of their own. Everyone is socialized in a specific social, historical and cultural context, and the prevailing values ​​​​determine the development of the individual. For binational couples, however, these contexts and the associated values ​​and attitudes are usually more different than for non-binational couples. For example, at the beginning of their relationship, binational couples have no shared cultural background, fewer common reference points in terms of values ​​and norms, and often no language that both partners speak equally well. In addition to the normal relationship issues, binational couples therefore have to deal with these issues more frequently. This can be challenging on the one hand, but also instructive and enlightening on the other.

Environment/Integration
Living in a binational relationship usually means leaving one partner's home country, family, and familiar cultural environment. In a foreign country, the person must reorient themselves, adapt to changed daily structures, and build a new social environment. Integration in the new country of residence depends on many factors, not all of which can be influenced by the couple. For example, it can be difficult for the foreign partner to find a job that matches their professional qualifications. Financial problems can result and be a further challenge for the partnership. For a successful binational partnership, both partners must reexamine their values ​​and norms and, over time, find their own binational identity as a couple. People in the family of origin or circle of friends cannot always understand this. Sometimes additional effort is required for the partnership to be accepted by those around them.

Language
Binational couples often communicate in a language that at least one of them doesn't fully understand. This makes it particularly difficult to communicate and understand each other emotionally. When one person speaks their native language, an imbalance arises that can strain communication. Misunderstandings arising from language difficulties are not always recognized as such. However, multilingualism in the family also offers the opportunity to learn a foreign language in an everyday context and to give joint children the chance to grow up multilingual—an invaluable advantage in times of increasing globalization.

Religion
Religion shapes a society and a country's legal system. Religion is partly responsible for the values ​​and norms that apply to coexistence. This also applies to people who consider themselves non-religious. With openness and tolerance, different religions can have their place in a partnership or family. It is important to approach your partner's religion with openness and interest and to find out what influence religion should have on everyday life and the partnership. If a binational or interreligious couple is considering having children together, the question of religion should definitely be included early on.