Swiss Citizenship Test Practice 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   What does 'concordance' mean in Swiss politics?

   • AOnly one party forms the government
   • BThe largest parties share the seats in the Federal Council
   • CThe government is chosen by lot
   • DThe cantons share the presidency
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The largest parties share the seats in the Federal Council

   By tradition the largest parties are all represented in the Federal Council.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What are the two chambers of the Swiss Parliament?

   • AThe Federal Council and the Federal Court
   • BThe Senate and the House of Commons
   • CThe National Council and the Council of States
   • DThe Landsgemeinde and the Council of States
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   Answer: C. The National Council and the Council of States

   The Federal Assembly is made up of the National Council and the Council of States.

3. Question 3 of 25

   How many members does the National Council have?

   • A46
   • B200
   • C100
   • D246
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 200

   The National Council has 200 members, shared among the cantons by population.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How many members does the Council of States have?

   • A52
   • B200
   • C46
   • D26
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 46

   The Council of States has 46 members: two for most cantons and one for each former half-canton.

5. Question 5 of 25

   How are National Council seats shared among the cantons?

   • ABy the population of each canton, with at least one seat each
   • BBy how many parties are in each canton
   • CBy the size of each canton
   • DTwo seats for each canton
   Show answer

   Answer: A. By the population of each canton, with at least one seat each

   Seats follow each canton's resident population; every canton has at least one.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Which canton has only one seat in the Council of States?

   • AGeneva
   • BBasel-Stadt
   • CBern
   • DZurich
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Basel-Stadt

   The six former half-cantons, including Basel-Stadt, each have one seat.

7. Question 7 of 25

   How do the powers of the two chambers of Parliament compare?

   • AThe Federal Council chooses which chamber decides
   • BThey are equal
   • CThe National Council can overrule the Council of States
   • DThe Council of States can only give advice
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   Answer: B. They are equal

   Both chambers have the same powers and decide on the same business.

8. Question 8 of 25

   How many regular sessions does the Swiss Parliament hold each year?

   • AFour, each lasting three weeks
   • BTwelve, one per month
   • CTwo, each lasting six months
   • DOne long session
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Four, each lasting three weeks

   Parliament meets in four regular three-week sessions a year, plus special sessions if needed.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Where does the Swiss Parliament meet?

   • AIn the Federal Palace in Bern
   • BIn a different canton each year
   • CIn Geneva at the UN
   • DIn Zurich city hall
   Show answer

   Answer: A. In the Federal Palace in Bern

   The Parliament sits in the Federal Palace (Bundeshaus) in Bern.

10. Question 10 of 25

    How often are members of the National Council elected?

    • AEvery 2 years
    • BEvery 4 years
    • CEvery 6 years
    • DEvery year
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Every 4 years

    Members of Parliament are elected for four-year terms.

11. Question 11 of 25

    How many valid signatures does a federal popular initiative need?

    • A500,000
    • B100,000
    • C50,000
    • D10,000
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 100,000

    A federal popular initiative needs at least 100,000 valid signatures.

12. Question 12 of 25

    How long do you have to collect signatures for a federal popular initiative?

    • A100 days
    • B4 years
    • C18 months
    • D6 months
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 18 months

    Signatures must be collected, certified and handed in within 18 months.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What can a federal popular initiative change?

    • AAny federal law directly
    • BThe Federal Constitution
    • CA court ruling
    • DThe result of an election
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The Federal Constitution

    An initiative proposes a change to the Constitution; it cannot directly change a federal law.

14. Question 14 of 25

    How many signatures are needed for an optional referendum against a new federal law?

    • A10,000 within 30 days
    • B50,000 within 100 days
    • C500,000 within one year
    • D100,000 within 18 months
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 50,000 within 100 days

    50,000 valid signatures within 100 days of publication force a popular vote on the law.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Besides 50,000 citizens, who else can request an optional referendum?

    • AThe Federal Council
    • BEight cantons
    • CThe Federal Supreme Court
    • DAny single commune
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    Answer: B. Eight cantons

    An optional referendum can also be requested by eight cantons.

16. Question 16 of 25

    When is a mandatory referendum held?

    • AOnly when the Federal Council asks
    • BWhenever a new tax is set by a commune
    • CEvery four years
    • DWhenever Parliament changes the Federal Constitution
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Whenever Parliament changes the Federal Constitution

    Every change to the Constitution must be put to the people and the cantons.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What does a 'double majority' mean in a Swiss vote?

    • AA majority of voters and a majority of cantons must say yes
    • BTwo votes on the same day
    • CBoth chambers of Parliament must agree
    • DTwo-thirds of voters must say yes
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A majority of voters and a majority of cantons must say yes

    Constitutional changes need both the popular majority and the majority of the cantons.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What can Parliament do when it disagrees with a popular initiative?

    • ACancel the vote
    • BPropose a counter-proposal
    • CAsk the courts to stop it
    • DBan the committee
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Propose a counter-proposal

    Parliament may put forward a direct or indirect counter-proposal.

19. Question 19 of 25

    How many federal voting days are there in a year?

    • AUp to four
    • BOne
    • CTwelve
    • DOnly in election years
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Up to four

    There are up to four federal voting days a year, usually on Sundays.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What is the voting age for federal votes and elections?

    • A16
    • B18
    • C21
    • D20
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 18

    Swiss citizens aged 18 and over may vote at federal level.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Which canton lets 16- and 17-year-olds vote on cantonal and communal matters?

    • AGlarus
    • BGeneva
    • CTicino
    • DZurich
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Glarus

    Glarus is the only canton with voting at 16 for cantonal and communal matters.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Can foreign residents vote in federal votes?

    • AYes, after 5 years
    • BNo, but some cantons and communes let them vote locally
    • CYes, if they pay taxes
    • DYes, in all cantons
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No, but some cantons and communes let them vote locally

    Federal voting is for Swiss citizens only. Jura and Neuchâtel, for example, allow foreigners to vote in cantonal matters.

23. Question 23 of 25

    In which cantons are open-air people's assemblies (Landsgemeinde) still held?

    • AGeneva and Vaud
    • BZurich and Bern
    • CTicino and Valais
    • DGlarus and Appenzell Innerrhoden
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Glarus and Appenzell Innerrhoden

    The Landsgemeinde survives in Glarus and Appenzell Innerrhoden.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What are the three political levels in Switzerland?

    • AThe state, the region and the county
    • BThe cities, the villages and the farms
    • CThe Federal Council, Parliament and the courts
    • DThe Confederation, the cantons and the communes
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The Confederation, the cantons and the communes

    Switzerland has a federal level, 26 cantons and about 2,100 communes, each with its own powers.

25. Question 25 of 25

    How many cantons does Switzerland have?

    • A26
    • B23
    • C20
    • D30
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 26

    Switzerland has 26 cantons.

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