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Swiss Citizenship Test Practice 2026

Practise for the knowledge test that many Swiss cantons and communes use in naturalisation. There is no single national test: your canton or commune decides how it checks your knowledge of Switzerland. These original questions cover the naturalisation rules, the political system, direct democracy, history, geography and everyday society.

  • Citizenship
  • Switzerland
  • 80 questions
  • Checked October 11, 2026

Quick answer

It is run by Cantonal and communal naturalisation authorities; federal licence from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). Practise here for free with 80 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.

Read before you practiseStart with the Swiss Citizenship Test Study Guide: plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    Which residence permit do you need to apply for ordinary naturalisation?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A settlement permit (C permit)

    Federal law requires a C permit for ordinary naturalisation.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    How many years must you have lived in Switzerland for ordinary naturalisation?
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    Answer: D. At least 10 years

    You need 10 years of residence in total, including 3 of the 5 years before you apply.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    Which years of residence count double for naturalisation?
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    Answer: C. Years lived in Switzerland between the ages of 8 and 18

    Time between ages 8 and 18 counts double, but you must have actually lived in Switzerland for at least 6 years.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    How long must you have lived in your canton or commune before applying?
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    Answer: C. 2 to 5 years, depending on the canton

    Cantonal law sets a minimum residence of two to five years in the commune and canton.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    What minimum language level does federal law require for naturalisation?
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    Answer: A. B1 when speaking and A2 when writing, in a national language

    The federal minimum is oral B1 and written A2 in German, French, Italian or Romansh; cantons may ask for more.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    What rule about social assistance applies to naturalisation?
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    Answer: A. You must not have received social assistance in the 3 years before applying, unless you paid it back

    Applicants should take part in economic life or education; social assistance in the last three years counts against you unless repaid.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    Which of these is a criterion for successful integration?
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    Answer: D. Respecting the values of the Federal Constitution

    Integration includes respecting public safety and order and the values of the Constitution, taking part in work or education, and supporting family members' integration.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    Who decides whether there is a test on Swiss knowledge for naturalisation?
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    Answer: C. The canton or commune

    Some cantonal or communal authorities test knowledge of Switzerland in writing or orally; the rules vary a lot.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    Which federal authority grants the federal naturalisation licence?
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    Answer: A. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)

    If the canton supports the application, the SEM checks it and issues the federal licence.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    After the federal naturalisation licence is issued, how long does the canton have to decide?
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    Answer: D. One year

    The cantonal authority must decide within one year, or the federal licence expires.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    When you are naturalised, which citizenships do you receive?
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    Answer: B. Those of your commune, your canton and the Confederation

    Once the decision is final, you get communal, cantonal and Swiss citizenship together.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    Since when has the current Swiss Citizenship Act been in force?
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    Answer: B. 1 January 2018

    The Federal Act on Swiss Citizenship has applied since 1 January 2018.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    Does Switzerland allow dual nationality?
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    Answer: A. Yes, if your other country also allows it

    Switzerland recognises dual nationality, so you keep your old one if your country allows it.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    Which group can usually apply for simplified naturalisation?
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    Answer: D. Spouses of Swiss citizens

    Simplified naturalisation is mainly for spouses of Swiss citizens and some other groups, such as third-generation young people.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    To apply for simplified naturalisation as the spouse of a Swiss citizen living in Switzerland, what do you need?
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    Answer: A. 5 years' residence in Switzerland and 3 years of marriage

    You need 5 years in Switzerland, including the year before applying, and 3 years of marriage.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    How long is the written naturalisation test in the canton of Bern?
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    Answer: A. 90 minutes

    Bern's written naturalisation test lasts 90 minutes and covers geography, history, democracy, health, work, rights and duties.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    In the canton of Zurich, what is the basic knowledge test (Grundkenntnistest) about?
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    Answer: D. Geography, politics and history of Switzerland, the canton and the communes

    Zurich's test checks knowledge of Switzerland, the canton of Zurich and local communes.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    Which new right do you gain as a Swiss citizen?
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    Answer: B. The right to vote and stand for election at federal level

    Citizenship brings political rights and, for men, the duty of military service.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    How many members does the Federal Council have?
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    Answer: D. 7

    The Federal Council, the national government, has seven members with equal rights.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    Who elects the members of the Federal Council?
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    Answer: A. Parliament (the United Federal Assembly)

    Both chambers of Parliament meet together to elect the Federal Council.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    For how long are Federal Council members elected?
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    Answer: C. 4 years

    Federal Councillors are elected for four years and are usually re-elected.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    How long does a President of the Confederation stay in office?
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    Answer: C. One year

    One of the seven Federal Councillors is president for one year and has hardly more power than the others.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    What does the principle of collegiality mean in the Federal Council?
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    Answer: C. All members publicly support decisions taken together, even if they disagreed

    The Federal Council seeks consensus, and once a decision is made all members stand behind it.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    How many federal departments are there?
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    Answer: C. 7

    There are seven departments, each led by one Federal Councillor.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    What is the Federal Chancellery?
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    Answer: D. The staff office of the Federal Council, which also organises federal votes and elections

    The Federal Chancellery supports the Federal Council and organises elections and referendums.

What to know before the test

  • Ordinary naturalisation needs a C permit and 10 years of residence in Switzerland, including 3 of the 5 years before you apply. Years between ages 8 and 18 count double.
  • Cantons set a minimum residence of 2 to 5 years in the canton and commune, and may add their own integration rules.
  • You must show at least B1 speaking and A2 writing in German, French, Italian or Romansh. Cantons may ask for a higher level.
  • There is no single national test. Some cantons and communes test knowledge of Switzerland in writing or orally, and the format varies.
  • In the canton of Bern, the written naturalisation test lasts 90 minutes and covers geography, history, democracy, health, work, rights and duties.
  • The canton of Zurich publishes its full question list and study brochure for its basic knowledge test (Grundkenntnistest).
  • The current Swiss Citizenship Act has been in force since 1 January 2018.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a national Swiss citizenship test?

No. Federal law requires basic knowledge of Switzerland, but each canton or commune decides how to check it. Many use a written test; others use an interview.

How many questions are on the Swiss citizenship test?

It depends on your canton or commune, so there is no single number or pass mark. Ask your commune, and use your canton's official sample questions if it publishes them.

What language level do I need for Swiss citizenship?

At least B1 for speaking and A2 for writing in a national language. Some cantons require more, and attendance certificates from courses do not count.

How long must I live in Switzerland before I can apply?

At least 10 years with a C permit, including 3 of the last 5 years. Years between ages 8 and 18 count double, but you need at least 6 years of actual residence.

Who is exempt from the knowledge test?

It depends on the canton. In Bern, children under 16 and people who did at least five years of compulsory school in Switzerland are exempt, for example.

Can I keep my old nationality?

Switzerland allows dual nationality. Whether you can keep your old passport depends on the law of your other country.

Sources

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