Banned in Switzerland since 2013, married couples will once again be permitted to use a double surname from January 1st, 2027.
“Starting next year, spouses will once again be able to use a double-barrelled surname, with or without a hyphen,” the Federal Council announced on October 21st.
However, such surnames will not be allowed for children, who will bear the name of one of the parents.
READ MORE: Can you have a double surname after marriage in Switzerland?
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By adopting this ordinance, Switzerland is going back, in broad terms, to the system similar to that in place before 2013.
At that time, women especially used this formula to keep their maiden and married names, with or without a hyphen in between.
Since then, however, this has no longer been allowed, with both husband and wife free to choose each other’s names, or keep their original ones — but just one.
In 2024, however, both the Federal Council and MPs decided to reintroduce double surnames, “to give married couples a free choice in this matter.”
It took two years for this ‘new’ law to make its way through the legislative process and be re-drafted.
What will be allowed from 2027?
Couples who opt for double-barrelled surnames can choose from various combinations.
For instance, a woman can keep her maiden name and add on her husbands, or they can both take on double surnames, either hyphenated or not.
Meanwhile, when marrying people with double names, couples must limit themselves to just two surnames – quadruple names will not be allowed.
The new regulation would apply retroactively to people who are already married. This means single-surnamed couples can request the civil registry office to change them to double-barrelled ones.
