Parliament Greenlights Double Surname Revival

Swiss Senate approves return to double surnames, marking significant shift in naming rights policy

The Swiss Senate voted 40 to 2 to allow the return of double surnames.
Double surnames have been banned in Switzerland since 2013.
The Senate rejected the proposal to scrap the principles of a single name and a family name.
Spouses will be able to freely choose the order of the names in a double surname.
Only unmarried names can be passed on to spouses or children, not names acquired from previous marriages.

40 to 2

votes

2013

year

"The aim is to ensure that it is still possible to establish a clear link between a person’s name and their origin."
— Isabelle Chassot

"This situation is unsatisfactory, as it calls into question equality between men and women."
— Parliamentary Committee

Senate Smashes Naming Restrictions

The Swiss Senate voted 40 to 2 to allow the return of double surnames.
Double surnames have been banned in Switzerland since 2013.
The Senate rejected the proposal to scrap the principles of a single name and a family name.
Spouses will be able to freely choose the order of the names in a double surname.
Only unmarried names can be passed on to spouses or children, not names acquired from previous marriages.

40 to 2

votes

2013

year

"The aim is to ensure that it is still possible to establish a clear link between a person’s name and their origin."
— Isabelle Chassot

"This situation is unsatisfactory, as it calls into question equality between men and women."
— Parliamentary Committee