Frequently asked questions.
Answers on the Swiss citizenship test itself, the product, pricing, and the technical side — the things candidates ask before signing up.
The test
About the naturalisation test.
What is the Swiss citizenship test?
A written and oral examination of your knowledge of Switzerland — its federal constitution, history, geography, and the canton you apply from. It's a formal requirement for naturalisation alongside residency and integration criteria.
Is the test the same in every canton?
No. The federal civic content is the same everywhere, but each canton sets its own format, question count, language, and weighting. Some cantons also run a municipal-level interview on top of the canton test.
How many questions are asked?
Between 20 and 40 in most cantons. Some have a fixed written test (e.g. 30 multiple-choice questions); others rely more on an oral interview with a commission.
In which language is the test held?
In the official language of your canton — German, French, Italian, or Romansh. You can prepare in English, but the actual exam is always in the canton's official language.
How is the test scored?
Pass thresholds vary by canton — typically 60 to 75 percent correct. Interview panels grade on both factual accuracy and your ability to express answers in the canton's language.
Can I re-take the test if I fail?
Yes, most cantons allow at least one retake after a waiting period (usually 3 to 12 months). Some cantons require a fresh application fee for each attempt.
How up-to-date is the question bank?
Every question is reviewed quarterly against SEM guidance and each canton's latest publications. Major changes — e.g. updates to cantonal examination regulations — are published within 14 days.
How difficult is the Swiss citizenship test?
Most candidates pass on the first attempt with 30–50 hours of focused preparation. The federal civics content is straightforward; the canton-specific facts (history, government, geography) are where most failures happen because they vary widely.
What language level do I need: B1 or A2?
B1 oral and A2 written for ordinary naturalisation in most cantons — proven via a recognised certificate (fide, telc, ÖSD, Goethe). Some cantons accept slightly lower thresholds for facilitated naturalisation through marriage. The certificate must usually be less than 3 years old.
Can I hold dual citizenship in Switzerland?
Yes — Switzerland has allowed dual citizenship since 1992 with no exceptions on the Swiss side. Whether you can keep your original citizenship depends on your country of origin's rules, not Switzerland's.
What does Swiss naturalisation actually cost?
Total fees range CHF 700–3000 depending on canton and municipality. Federal fee is fixed at CHF 100; cantonal fees range CHF 300–2000; municipal fees vary the most (some communes charge nothing, others up to CHF 1000+).
How long does the whole process take?
Typically 1.5–3 years from application to decision, depending on canton workload. Geneva and Zurich are usually fastest (~12 months); some smaller cantons can take 24+ months. Federal SEM processing is normally 6–12 months on top.
What happens after the SEM gives federal approval?
Federal approval is the green light, but you still need cantonal and municipal approval afterwards. Some cantons issue the certificate of citizenship within weeks; others require a final canton-level vote or commission meeting that can add 2–6 months.
Which documents do I need to prepare?
Standard set: passport copy, birth certificate (apostilled if foreign), C permit, language certificate, criminal record extract, debt enforcement extract (Betreibungsregisterauszug), tax clearance, and proof of residency duration. Cantons may require additional documents — check your canton's specific list.
What happens if I fail the test?
You can retake after a waiting period (typically 6–12 months) by reapplying to your municipality. A failed test doesn't automatically reject the whole application — many cantons let you continue with the rest of the process while preparing for the retake. Some cantons require a fresh application fee for each attempt.
The product
How the product works.
How many questions are in the bank?
Over 1,500 questions covering federal civics, Swiss history and geography, plus each canton's specific content. We add new questions every month based on user reports and official updates.
Does it cover my canton?
Yes — all 26 cantons have dedicated packs with their specific content, weighting, and sample interview questions. If your canton changes its regulations, we update the pack within 14 days.
Which languages can I study in?
German, French, Italian, and English. Each language has the same depth of content and the same questions — you can switch any time from the language menu.
Can I switch language mid-study?
Yes. Language is a global setting — switch any time and your progress, stats, and saved flashcards carry over. The questions are translated, not duplicated.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes — the whole product is responsive and works in any modern phone, tablet, or desktop browser; just bookmark the site. There's also a separate iOS app for offline, on-the-go study — it's an independent product with its own Apple App Store subscription, separate from a website purchase.
Does it work offline?
Yes. Once you've loaded a chapter on your phone, it works offline on the train, the plane, or anywhere without signal.
Pricing & payment
Pricing, refunds and fine print.
How much does it cost?
One simple price, no subscription: lifetime access for CHF 29.90 — pay once and keep it forever. It unlocks the full content across federal and canton material, includes the Handbook 2026 (PDF + EPUB) as a bonus, and covers every future update.
Is it a subscription or one-time?
Always one-time. We don't run subscriptions — pay once for lifetime access. No auto-renewals, no recurring charges.
Does my website purchase work on the iOS app?
No. The website (a one-time CHF 29.90 lifetime purchase) and the iOS app are separate products with their own access and billing — the app has its own Apple App Store subscription. Buying one doesn't unlock the other, and progress isn't shared. Your website purchase works in any browser, including on your phone.
Do you offer refunds?
Yes, on Premium plans — a 14-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. Email support and we refund the full amount. Digital downloads like the handbook are excluded: the purchase is final once the files are available, and we replace faulty files free of charge.
Is VAT included in the price?
Yes. The price you see at checkout is the final price — Swiss VAT is already included. You'll receive a compliant invoice by email straight after payment.
Which payment methods do you accept?
Visa, Mastercard and American Express through Dodo Payments, our PCI-compliant checkout. Apple Pay and Google Pay work automatically on supported devices. TWINT is currently not supported.
Does it cover my specific canton's questions?
Yes. Premium unlocks dedicated packs for all 26 cantons — history, government, geography, and the local civics questions interviewers actually ask. Pick your canton in the dashboard and your drills bias toward it automatically.
Are future updates and new canton packs included?
Yes — every new question, content update, and new canton pack is included automatically, forever, at no extra cost. Pay once and you stay current for life.
What if I fail the official test the first time?
Most cantons let you retake the test. With lifetime access you keep studying as long as you need — no expiry, no extra cost for retakes. Our 14-day money-back guarantee on Premium still applies.
Technical & privacy
Browsers, privacy and support.
Which browsers are supported?
Any modern browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge — released in the last two years. If you can read this page, you're good to go.
Is my data private?
Yes. We store progress and account data on servers hosted in the EU/Switzerland, we don't sell data, and we don't run third-party ad trackers. Full details in the privacy policy.
How do I contact support?
Email hello@einbuergerungstests.ch and we reply within minutes. For quick questions, the contact form on our site routes to the same inbox.
Can I delete my account?
Yes. From settings you can export your data and delete your account with one click. Deletion removes your progress, email, and payment history within 30 days.
Is two-factor authentication available?
Yes — you can enable 2FA with an authenticator app from the security tab in settings. We also send email alerts on any new device sign-in.