Swiss citizenship test › St. Gallen
Swiss citizenship test in St. Gallen: questions, process and requirements
To be naturalised in the canton of St. Gallen, you need at least 10 years' residence in Switzerland and a C permit (permanent residence). The canton also requires residence of 5 years in the canton, 5 years in the commune. Knowledge assessment: Interview and/or test. Language requirement: B1 spoken and written.
Try 15 questions for St. Gallen free
No sign-up. Then a one-off payment of CHF 29 for all questions and the exam simulation, with lifetime access and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Key facts
| Capital | St. Gallen |
|---|---|
| Population | 544,000 |
| Official language(s) | German |
| Communes | 75 |
| Districts | 8 |
| Government | Regierung (7 members) |
| Parliament | Kantonsrat (120 members) |
| Residence requirement canton/commune | 5 years in the canton, 5 years in the commune |
| Language level | B1 spoken and written |
| Knowledge test | Interview and/or test |
| Good to know | Abbey Library (UNESCO). Textile tradition. HSG (University of St. Gallen). |
Naturalisation in 7 steps
- Check the requirements. At least 10 years' residence in Switzerland, including 3 of the 5 years before you apply. Years between your 8th and 18th birthdays count double, but you must have actually lived here for at least 6 years. Years on an N or L permit do not count; years on an F permit count half. You need a C permit.
- Meet the cantonal residence requirement. In St. Gallen: 5 years in the canton, 5 years in the commune.
- Prove your language skills. Level required: B1 spoken and written. This applies to the official language where you live (German).
- Submit your application. Depending on cantonal law, to your commune or to the canton. You must not receive social assistance in the 3 years before applying or during the procedure, unless you repay it in full. Some cantons set a longer period.
- Show your knowledge. In St. Gallen: Interview and/or test. It covers Swiss and cantonal politics, history, geography and society. In some cantons, you must include proof with your application.
- Assessment by commune and canton. They assess your integration, often in an interview. If the outcome is positive, they forward the application to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).
- Federal licence and decision. The SEM issues the federal naturalisation licence. The canton then decides on naturalisation within one year. Once the decision is legally binding, you acquire communal, cantonal and Swiss citizenship.
The role of the commune
Swiss citizenship has three levels: commune, canton and Confederation. The canton of St. Gallen has 75 communes in 8 districts.
Your commune of residence is usually the first point of contact: it receives the application or takes part in the procedure, often conducts the naturalisation interview and, in many cantons, decides on communal citizenship. Depending on the canton, a minimum period of residence in the commune also applies, and fees and deadlines differ from commune to commune.
Depending on the canton and commune, you may also be asked about your commune, for example its authorities, services or local history. For binding information, contact the residents' office or naturalisation office of your commune.
Sample question about St. Gallen
What is the famous Abbey Library of St. Gallen?
- A museum
- One of the world's oldest libraries (UNESCO)
- A monastery
- A university
Show answer
One of the oldest and finest monastic libraries in the world, part of the UNESCO-listed Abbey District, holding manuscripts more than a thousand years old.
Sample questions on Swiss civics
What does separation of powers (Gewaltenteilung) mean?
- Police and army may use force.
- Power is divided between state and church.
- State power is divided between government, parliament and the courts.
- Power is divided between the National Council and the Council of States.
Show answer
State power is split into three branches: the legislature (parliament) makes laws, the executive (Federal Council) implements them, and the judiciary (courts) rules on them. Note that 'Gewalt' here means power or authority, not violence.
What does the principle of collegiality mean in the Federal Council?
- Members must know each other well.
- Each member represents their own opinion.
- All members defend decisions jointly in public.
- The Federal Council decides only by vote.
Show answer
Once the seven members have decided, they all defend that decision publicly, even those who argued against it internally. This is why the Federal Council speaks with one voice despite representing different parties.
What is the gross salary (Bruttolohn)?
- The salary after all deductions
- The salary before deductions
- The 13th monthly salary
- The child allowance
Show answer
The gross salary is the amount before deductions such as AHV/IV/EO, unemployment insurance, accident insurance and the pension fund. What remains and is paid into your account is the net salary (Nettolohn).
What was the Helvetic Republic?
- Present-day Switzerland
- A centralised state under French influence (1798–1803)
- A Roman province
- A kingdom
Show answer
After the French invasion in 1798, the old Confederation was replaced by a centralised unitary state modelled on France. It abolished cantonal sovereignty, proved unworkable, and collapsed in 1803.
Which is the largest canton by area?
- Zurich
- Bern
- Graubünden
- Valais
Show answer
Graubünden, at about 7,105 km². Bern is second by area, while Zurich is the largest by population — the question asks about area, not people.
Try 15 questions for St. Gallen free
Frequently asked questions
- How long do I need to live in St. Gallen to be naturalised?
- In addition to 10 years' residence in Switzerland, the canton of St. Gallen requires residence of 5 years in the canton, 5 years in the commune. Your commune may set additional periods.
- What language level do I need in St. Gallen?
- B1 spoken and written. The requirement applies to the official language where you live (German).
- What is the citizenship test like in St. Gallen?
- Format: Interview and/or test. The responsible naturalisation office (canton or commune) provides details and dates.
- Where do I apply for naturalisation in St. Gallen?
- Depending on cantonal law, to your commune or to the canton. St. Gallen has 75 communes; your commune can tell you the exact procedure.
Sources
- State Secretariat for Migration (SEM): ordinary naturalisation
- Canton of St. Gallen: official naturalisation information
Last updated: October 2026. No guarantee is given for this information; the canton and commune are the authoritative sources. Swiss Citizen is an independent learning platform and is not affiliated with any authority.