Swiss Citizenship Test Practice 2026: Practice test 3

Practice test 3 of 3 for the Swiss Citizenship Test Practice: 30 more questions with answers and explanations.

Citizenship
Switzerland
80 questions
Checked October 11, 2026

Question 1 of 30
Which is the youngest canton?
- Aargau
- Geneva
- Jura
- Ticino
Show answer
Answer: C. Jura
Jura became the 26th canton in 1979; it was formerly part of Bern.
Question 2 of 30
Which three powers are separated in the Swiss state?
- Legislative, executive and judicial
- People, Parliament and press
- Federal, cantonal and communal
- Military, police and courts
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Answer: A. Legislative, executive and judicial
Parliament makes laws, the government carries them out and the courts judge. This was introduced in 1848.
Question 3 of 30
What is the highest court in Switzerland?
- The Federal Criminal Court
- The Federal Supreme Court
- The Council of States
- The Federal Council
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Answer: B. The Federal Supreme Court
The Federal Supreme Court is the final court of appeal; its judges are elected by Parliament.
Question 4 of 30
According to legend, which three areas swore an oath on the Rütli meadow in 1291?
- Geneva, Vaud and Valais
- Ticino, Graubünden and Glarus
- Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden
- Zurich, Bern and Lucerne
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Answer: C. Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden
The founding legend tells of men from Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden swearing an oath in 1291.
Question 5 of 30
Who led the Reformation in Zurich in the 16th century?
- Henry Dunant
- Napoleon
- Ulrich Zwingli
- William Tell
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Answer: C. Ulrich Zwingli
Ulrich Zwingli reformed the church in Zurich.
Question 6 of 30
What happened in Switzerland in 1798?
- Women got the vote
- The modern federal state was founded
- The Red Cross was founded
- French troops invaded and the Helvetic Republic was created
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Answer: D. French troops invaded and the Helvetic Republic was created
Napoleon's forces invaded and set up the centralised Helvetic Republic.
Question 7 of 30
At which event in 1815 did the great powers recognise Swiss neutrality?
- The Congress of Vienna
- The founding of the UN
- The Peace of Paris of 1947
- The Treaty of Rome
Show answer
Answer: A. The Congress of Vienna
The Congress of Vienna fixed Switzerland's neutrality in 1815.
Question 8 of 30
What was the Sonderbund War of 1847?
- A short civil war between Catholic-conservative and liberal cantons
- A world war
- A war against Austria
- A dispute about the Gotthard tunnel
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Answer: A. A short civil war between Catholic-conservative and liberal cantons
The Sonderbund War was fought between Catholic and liberal cantons.
Question 9 of 30
What happened in 1848?
- Switzerland joined the UN
- The first Federal Constitution created the modern federal state
- The canton of Jura was founded
- Women got the right to vote
Show answer
Answer: B. The first Federal Constitution created the modern federal state
The 1848 Constitution founded the federal state with a federal Parliament and government.
Question 10 of 30
When did the current Federal Constitution come into force?
- In 2000, after voters approved it in 1999
- In 1971
- In 1874
- In 1848
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Answer: A. In 2000, after voters approved it in 1999
The third Federal Constitution was approved in 1999 and took effect in 2000.
Question 11 of 30
Who founded the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva?
- Ulrich Zwingli
- Henry Dunant
- William Tell
- Elisabeth Kopp
Show answer
Answer: B. Henry Dunant
Henry Dunant founded the Red Cross movement after seeing the Battle of Solferino.
Question 12 of 30
What position did Switzerland take in the two world wars?
- It stayed neutral
- It was occupied for both wars
- It fought with France
- It fought with Germany
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Answer: A. It stayed neutral
Switzerland remained neutral in the First and Second World Wars.
Question 13 of 30
In which year did Swiss women get the right to vote at federal level?
- 1918
- 1990
- 1971
- 1948
Show answer
Answer: C. 1971
Women's suffrage was approved at federal level on 7 February 1971.
Question 14 of 30
Who was the first woman elected to the Federal Council, in 1984?
- Elisabeth Kopp
- Ruth Dreifuss
- Doris Leuthard
- Micheline Calmy-Rey
Show answer
Answer: A. Elisabeth Kopp
Elisabeth Kopp became the first female Federal Councillor in 1984.
Question 15 of 30
Which social insurance was introduced in 1948?
- Car insurance
- Basic health insurance
- Unemployment insurance
- Old-age and survivors' insurance (AHV/AVS)
Show answer
Answer: D. Old-age and survivors' insurance (AHV/AVS)
The AHV, the first pillar of old-age provision, began in 1948.
Question 16 of 30
In which year did Swiss voters approve joining the United Nations?
- 2002
- 1971
- 1992
- 1945
Show answer
Answer: A. 2002
In March 2002 voters accepted UN membership.
Question 17 of 30
What does the abbreviation CH stand for?
- Confederation of Helvetians
- Central Highlands
- Confoederatio Helvetica
- Canton Helvetia
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Answer: C. Confoederatio Helvetica
CH is the Latin name Confoederatio Helvetica, shown for example on the 5-franc coin.
Question 18 of 30
What is celebrated on 1 August?
- The Swiss National Day
- The founding of the Red Cross
- The end of the Second World War
- Women's suffrage
Show answer
Answer: A. The Swiss National Day
1 August recalls the legendary founding in 1291 and is a public holiday across Switzerland.
Question 19 of 30
What are the four national languages of Switzerland?
- Swiss German, French, Italian and Spanish
- German, French, Italian and Romansh
- German, French, Italian and English
- German, French, Romansh and Latin
Show answer
Answer: B. German, French, Italian and Romansh
Switzerland has four national languages.
Question 20 of 30
Which national language is the mother tongue of the most people?
- Italian
- French
- German
- Romansh
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Answer: C. German
About 61% have German as their mother tongue, 23% French, 8% Italian and 0.5% Romansh.
Question 21 of 30
Which canton has three official languages?
- Graubünden
- Valais
- Bern
- Fribourg
Show answer
Answer: A. Graubünden
Graubünden uses German, Romansh and Italian; Bern, Fribourg and Valais are bilingual.
Question 22 of 30
Which of these countries does NOT border Switzerland?
- Italy
- Austria
- Belgium
- Liechtenstein
Show answer
Answer: C. Belgium
Switzerland borders Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein.
Question 23 of 30
Which region covers about 60% of Switzerland's area?
- The Alps
- The Central Plateau (Mittelland)
- The lakes
- The Jura
Show answer
Answer: A. The Alps
The Alps cover about 60% of the land, but most people live in the Mittelland.
Question 24 of 30
Which is the largest city in Switzerland?
- Bern
- Basel
- Zurich
- Geneva
Show answer
Answer: C. Zurich
Zurich is the largest city; Bern is the seat of the federal authorities.
Question 25 of 30
Into which sea does the Rhine flow?
- The North Sea
- The Black Sea
- The Mediterranean Sea
- The Baltic Sea
Show answer
Answer: A. The North Sea
The Rhine, Switzerland's longest river, flows to the North Sea; the Rhone flows to the Mediterranean.
Question 26 of 30
In which canton is the Swiss National Park?
- Graubünden
- Valais
- Bern
- Ticino
Show answer
Answer: A. Graubünden
Switzerland's only national park is in Graubünden.
Question 27 of 30
Which emergency number do you call for an ambulance in Switzerland?
- 118
- 112 only
- 144
- 117
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Answer: C. 144
144 is the ambulance; 117 is the police and 118 the fire service.
Question 28 of 30
Which of these insurances is compulsory for everyone living in Switzerland?
- Basic health insurance
- Travel insurance
- Life insurance
- Private pension (third pillar)
Show answer
Answer: A. Basic health insurance
Basic health insurance is mandatory; newborn babies must be insured within three months.
Question 29 of 30
Who runs the school system in Switzerland?
- Each canton
- The Catholic Church
- The Federal Council alone
- Private companies
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Answer: A. Each canton
Each canton organises its own school system.
Question 30 of 30
Which Swiss citizens have a duty to do military service?
- Swiss men
- All residents, including foreigners
- Only people who choose to
- Only people over 40
Show answer
Answer: A. Swiss men
Military service is compulsory for male Swiss citizens.

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