The issue of surnames has once again become a focal point of debate in Switzerland. Since 2013, married couples have officially been prohibited from using a double-barreled last name: They must either keep their maiden name or choose a shared last name. This rule has been widely criticized because it tends to disadvantage women, who still mostly give up their own names in favor of their husbands’ names.

The return of dual surnames for married couples
The Federal Parliament passed a reform that once again allows married couples to adopt a dual surname. Each partner can combine their maiden name with that of their spouse, with or without a hyphen and in any order. However, the reform does not go as far as some had hoped: children are excluded from this option and must continue to bear a single name chosen by their parents.

What about unmarried couples?
For unmarried partners, the situation remains unchanged. A child of unmarried parents receives the surname of the parent who has sole custody, or—in the case of joint custody—the surname is chosen amongst the parents’ maiden names. If the parents later marry and adopt a shared last name, the child automatically receives that name (if the child is older than 12 years of age, its consent is required).

Striking
a balance These developments show that lawmakers are striving to strike a balance between individual freedom, gender equality, and family cohesion. Nevertheless, unmarried couples continue to be subject to stricter rules, reflecting the lack of a specific legal status for their partnership.