Statelessness

A stateless person lacks nationality under the law of every state concerned. This may result from state succession, discrimination, gaps in birth registration, loss of nationality or conflicts between nationality laws. In Switzerland, recognised statelessness can affect residence rights, travel documents, social protection and naturalisation pathways, but it is assessed separately from asylum and refugee status. International standards seek to identify stateless persons, prevent new cases and protect basic rights, especially for children born without a secure nationality.