Swiss Citizenship Test: Sample Questions and Answers

The citizenship test in Switzerland is regulated by the cantons. That is why content, scope and format differ considerably from canton to canton. The following 15 questions about Switzerland at federal level are examples for practising. They are not official exam questions, and they do not replace the materials from your canton or municipality.

Now build your knowledge

The formal requirements are clear, now it is about mastering the exam content. With 15 minutes a day, the app guides you through federal, cantonal and municipal knowledge: numerous questions, ready for the first attempt.

The app is available in German, French, Italian and Romansh. The naturalisation test is held in the local language.

How the test is set up

The test looks different in every canton. In the canton of Zurich it is called the basic knowledge test, and the questions come from a published catalogue of 350 questions on democracy, history, geography and everyday life. In the canton of Bern, the written citizenship test lasts 90 minutes. In the canton of Aargau, a civic knowledge test is part of the procedure: 45 questions in 40 minutes on democracy and federalism, the welfare state, the rule of law, history and civil society. Ask your municipality or canton which format applies to you. Official practice options exist, for example, in Zurich (practice test and the full question catalogue), in the canton of Bern (naturalisation practice tests), in Aargau (practice test and question catalogue) and in the canton of Vaud (the A-Vaud-Test practice platform). The links are listed below under the official sources.

15 sample questions to practise

1. Which four languages are named as national languages in the Federal Constitution?
- A) German, French, Italian and English
- B) German, French, Italian and Romansh
- C) German, French, Spanish and Romansh
- D) German, Italian, Romansh and Portuguese
Show answer
Correct: German, French, Italian and Romansh
Article 4 of the Federal Constitution names these four languages as national languages. English is not a national language.
Source: Cst. Art. 4
2. How many cantons does Switzerland consist of?
- A) 20 cantons
- B) 23 cantons
- C) 26 cantons
- D) 29 cantons
Show answer
Correct: 26 cantons
The Confederation consists of 26 cantons, which are also called states. The canton of Jura has been part of it since 1979.
Source: FCh 2026, chapter History/State
3. In which city does the Swiss Parliament meet?
- A) In Zurich
- B) In Geneva
- C) In Bern
- D) In Lausanne
Show answer
Correct: In Bern
Parliament meets in the Parliament Building in Bern. The building was inaugurated in 1902.
Source: FCh 2026, chapter Parliament
4. How many members does the Federal Council have?
- A) Five members
- B) Seven members
- C) Nine members
- D) Eleven members
Show answer
Correct: Seven members
The Federal Council is the government of Switzerland. The Federal Constitution stipulates that it consists of seven members.
Source: Cst. Art. 175 para. 1
5. How many people do most cantons send to the Council of States?
- A) One person
- B) Two people
- C) Three people
- D) As many as correspond to their population
Show answer
Correct: Two people
Twenty cantons each elect two members to the Council of States, six cantons one each. The number of seats in the National Council, by contrast, depends on population.
Source: Cst. Art. 150 para. 2, Art. 149 para. 4
6. How often is the National Council re-elected in full by the people?
- A) Every two years
- B) Every three years
- C) Every four years
- D) Every six years
Show answer
Correct: Every four years
The 200 members of the National Council are elected by the people. A full re-election takes place every four years.
Source: Cst. Art. 149 para. 1 and 2
7. Who must approve an amendment to the Federal Constitution for it to enter into force?
- A) Only the majority of voters
- B) Only the Federal Council and Parliament
- C) The majority of voters and the majority of the cantons
- D) The majority of voters and the majority of the municipalities
Show answer
Correct: The majority of voters and the majority of the cantons
A constitutional amendment only passes if the people and the cantons approve it. This is called the double majority of people and cantons.
Source: Cst. Art. 140 para. 1 let. a, Art. 142 para. 2
8. How many valid signatures are needed for a federal popular initiative, and within what time limit?
- A) 50 000 signatures within 100 days
- B) 100 000 signatures within 18 months
- C) 100 000 signatures within 100 days
- D) 50 000 signatures within 18 months
Show answer
Correct: 100 000 signatures within 18 months
With a popular initiative, eligible voters can demand an amendment to the Federal Constitution. For this, 100 000 valid signatures must be collected within 18 months of official publication.
Source: Cst. Art. 139 para. 1
9. What is needed for a federal act passed by Parliament to be put to a vote (optional referendum)?
- A) 50 000 valid signatures within 100 days
- B) 100 000 valid signatures within 18 months
- C) The approval of the Federal Council alone
- D) The approval of the Federal Supreme Court
Show answer
Correct: 50 000 valid signatures within 100 days
A vote is also held if eight cantons request it. The 100-day period starts from the official publication of the act.
Source: Cst. Art. 141 para. 1 let. a
10. From what age may Swiss citizens vote and stand for election at federal level?
- A) From 16 years
- B) From 18 years
- C) From 20 years
- D) From 21 years
Show answer
Correct: From 18 years
Political rights in federal matters belong to Swiss citizens who have reached the age of 18. Article 136 of the Federal Constitution regulates this.
Source: Cst. Art. 136 para. 1
11. Who is required to do military service according to the Federal Constitution?
- A) All residents from the age of 18
- B) All Swiss citizens, without exception
- C) Only people who volunteer for it
- D) Swiss men, women serve voluntarily
Show answer
Correct: Swiss men, women serve voluntarily
Article 59 of the Federal Constitution: every Swiss man is required to do military service, and the law provides for civilian service as a substitute. For Swiss women, military service is voluntary.
Source: Cst. Art. 59 para. 1 and 2
12. What does the Federal Constitution say about the death penalty in Switzerland?
- A) It is prohibited
- B) It is only allowed for treason
- C) It is allowed in times of war
- D) Each canton decides for itself
Show answer
Correct: It is prohibited
Article 10 of the Federal Constitution states that every person has the right to life and that the death penalty is prohibited. Torture is also prohibited.
Source: Cst. Art. 10 para. 1 and 3
13. Which alliance of 1291 is considered the origin of the Swiss Confederation?
- A) The alliance between Bern, Zurich and Lucerne
- B) The alliance between Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden
- C) The alliance between Geneva, Vaud and Valais
- D) The alliance between Basel, Schaffhausen and Appenzell
Show answer
Correct: The alliance between Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden
The alliance of these three valley communities in 1291 is considered the origin of the Confederation. It later grew through further alliances and territorial acquisitions.
Source: FCh 2026, chapter History
14. Since which year has Switzerland been a federal state with a common Federal Constitution?
- A) Since 1291
- B) Since 1515
- C) Since 1798
- D) Since 1848
Show answer
Correct: Since 1848
The Federal Constitution of 1848 founded the democratic federal state. Today's political system goes back to it.
Source: FCh 2026, chapter History
15. Since which year have women had the right to vote and stand for election at federal level?
- A) Since 1919
- B) Since 1948
- C) Since 1971
- D) Since 1991
Show answer
Correct: Since 1971
In February 1971, male voters approved women's right to vote and stand for election at federal level. Since then, women can take part in federal elections and votes.
Source: FCh 2026, chapter History

Frequently asked questions

Are these the real questions from the citizenship test?

No. The questions are our own examples for practising and do not come from a cantonal question catalogue. You can find out which questions your canton asks from the responsible authority.

Are these sample questions enough to prepare for the test?

They help you check your knowledge of Switzerland at federal level. Because the cantons regulate the test themselves, further topics about your canton and your municipality often come on top. So also use the materials your canton provides.

How can I practise for the citizenship test?

First read the information from your canton and then work with sample questions. It makes sense to note down wrong answers and read the explanation for them. Reliable sources are, for example, the Federal Chancellery brochure "The Swiss Confederation, a brief guide" and the Federal Constitution.

Is there a written test in every canton?

Each canton regulates this itself. The cantons of Zurich, Bern and Aargau have a written test. Ask your municipality or canton how the exam works for you.

Official sources

Swiss Citizenship Test: Sample Questions with Answers