Swiss Passport

All 350 questions of the Zurich citizenship test, with answers

The official questions of the Grundkenntnistest, sorted by topic. Each one with the correct answer, an explanation and the German original.

Practise all 350 questions

Switzerland at a glance

Name, symbols and National Day

Names of Switzerland: Confederation, Confoederatio Helvetica, CH

  1. Confoederatio Helvetica ...
  2. What else is Switzerland called?
  3. What does the abbreviation CH stand for?

Flag, anthem and Helvetia

  1. Which is the Swiss national flag?
  2. What is the Swiss national anthem called?
  3. Who is shown on the 2-franc coin?

1 August

  1. Which public holiday applies by law to the whole of Switzerland?
  2. When is the Swiss National Day?
  3. When does Switzerland celebrate its National Day?

Landscape and climate

Jura, Plateau, Alps

  1. From a geographical point of view, Switzerland is ...
  2. The three large geographical regions of Switzerland are:
  3. Where do most people in Switzerland live?

Mountains and passes

  1. Simplon, Gotthard and Great St Bernard are examples of ...
  2. Which canton is a mountain canton?
  3. What is the highest mountain peak in Switzerland called?
  4. What is the name of this mountain?

Rhine and Rhone

  1. Where does the Rhine flow into?
  2. Where does the Rhone flow into?

Föhn, climate change and spatial planning

  1. What is an important task of spatial planning?
  2. Why are the glaciers in Switzerland getting smaller?
  3. How are foresters responding to the rise in temperatures caused by climate change?
  4. What is the name of a dry, warm south wind in Switzerland?

Size, neighbours and population

Neighbouring countries

  1. To the west, Switzerland borders on …
  2. Switzerland's neighbouring country to the south is …

Extent and largest cantons

  1. The extent of Switzerland from north to south is ...
  2. The extent of Switzerland from east to west is ...
  3. Which canton has the largest area?

Bern, Zurich and the large cities

  1. What is the largest city in Switzerland?
  2. The city of Bern is politically important. Why?
  3. Which canton has the most inhabitants?

Population and share of foreigners

  1. Around two thirds of Switzerland's foreign population ...
  2. How many foreigners live in Switzerland (as of 2020)?
  3. How many people live in Switzerland (as of 2020)?
  4. What is the share of the foreign resident population in Switzerland (as of 2020)?

The four national languages

German, French, Italian, Romansh

  1. What are the national languages of Switzerland?
  2. Which of these is an official national language of Switzerland?
  3. How many official national languages are there in Switzerland?
  4. What is the fourth national language of Switzerland?

Language regions and the Röstigraben

  1. In which canton are French and German spoken?
  2. Which region of Switzerland is called Welschland or Romandie?
  3. Which language is spoken in the canton of Ticino?
  4. In which canton is Romansh spoken?
  5. What does the word Röstigraben mean?

How the state works

Democracy and the rule of law

What is a democracy?

  1. Switzerland is …
  2. What is an important feature of democracy?
  3. Why are there regular elections in a democracy?

Rule of law and monopoly on the use of force

  1. Who is allowed to use force against people and property in Switzerland (monopoly on the use of force)?
  2. Switzerland is a state governed by the rule of law. What does that mean?
  3. What is prohibited in a state governed by the rule of law?
  4. What happens in Switzerland when someone commits a criminal offence?

Federalism: Confederation, cantons, municipalities

Three levels of government and 26 cantons

  1. The Swiss federal state is made up of various. . .
  2. How many cantons does the Swiss federal state have?
  3. How many political municipalities are there in Switzerland (as of 2021)?
  4. Switzerland is a federal state with three levels of government. What is the lowest level?
  5. Switzerland is a federal state with three levels of government. What is the highest level?

Tasks of the Confederation

  1. Which of these is a task of the Confederation?
  2. Which of these is a task of the Confederation?
  3. What is an important task of the federal state?
  4. What is an important task of the Confederation?
  5. What is an important task of the Confederation?
  6. What is the Confederation responsible for?
  7. Which level of government is responsible for the military?

Separation of powers

Legislature, executive, judiciary (and the media)

  1. Who holds judicial power (the judiciary) at federal level?
  2. Who holds legislative power (the legislature) at federal level?
  3. Who holds executive power (the executive) at federal level?
  4. What is often referred to as the fourth power in the state?
  5. What does separation of powers mean?

Courts and police

  1. What is the task of judges?
  2. What is a task of the police?
  3. Who is allowed to arrest criminals?
  4. How are the judges of the Federal Supreme Court appointed?

The Federal Parliament

National Council and Council of States

  1. What are the two «chambers» of the Swiss Parliament called?
  2. How often do voters elect the Federal Parliament?
  3. The Federal Assembly has 246 members. Who elects these members?
  4. What is the composition of the United Federal Assembly?
  5. The Federal Palace in Bern is the seat of …
  6. What is the task of the Council of States?

What Parliament does

  1. Who decides on new laws at federal level?
  2. What is the central task of the Federal Assembly (Federal Parliament)?
  3. What do the National Council and the Council of States do together?
  4. Who decides on a large part of new laws at federal level?

The Federal Council

Federal Council and the principle of collegiality

  1. The members of the Federal Council are bound by the principle of collegiality. What does that mean?
  2. Who runs the government business of Switzerland?
  3. What is the executive in Switzerland at federal level called?
  4. Who elects the seven members of the Federal Council?

Departments and the Federal Chancellery

  1. Which of these is a department of the Federal Administration?
  2. What does the Federal Chancellor of Switzerland do?

Having a say: rights and obligations

Elections and popular votes

Who may vote in elections and popular votes?

  1. Anyone who wants to vote in elections and popular votes in Switzerland …
  2. Who may vote in elections and popular votes at federal level?
  3. From what age are Swiss citizens entitled to vote and elect at federal level?
  4. What does the right to vote (active suffrage) mean in a democracy?
  5. Who can be elected to political office at federal level?
  6. Which right do people only receive through naturalisation?
  7. When may residents without a Swiss passport take part in national votes?

Swiss citizens abroad

  1. What political rights do Swiss citizens living abroad have?

How and when people vote

  1. How many times a year do voters normally vote on federal matters?
  2. How do most voters cast their vote?
  3. On which day of the week do national elections and popular votes take place?

Initiative and referendum

The referendum: stopping a law

  1. Can voters stop a new law?
  2. Against what can a referendum be requested?

The popular initiative: amending the Constitution

  1. Why is the popular initiative an important political right of voters? With a popular initiative, they can …
  2. How many signatures are needed for a popular initiative at federal level?
  3. Through a popular initiative …

Majority of the people and majority of the cantons

  1. In votes, what does «majority of the cantons» (Ständemehr) mean?
  2. When is an initiative at federal level accepted?

Direct democracy at a glance

  1. How can Swiss citizens influence legislation?
  2. At federal level, what can Swiss citizens who are entitled to vote vote on?

Parties, associations and media

Parties

  1. What is a political party?
  2. What function do political parties have in a democracy?

Trade unions, associations, NGOs

  1. What does Amnesty International campaign for?
  2. Who stands up for the rights of employees?
  3. Trade unions represent the interests of ...
  4. Economiesuisse represents the interests ...

Newspapers and editorial teams

  1. Who decides which articles are published in the newspaper?
  2. Which is a Swiss weekly newspaper (published once a week)?

Fundamental rights

Freedom of opinion, freedom of religion and the right to property

  1. Which of these is a fundamental right in Switzerland?
  2. Which of these is a fundamental right in Switzerland?
  3. Which fundamental right is enshrined in the Federal Constitution?
  4. Which fundamental right does the Federal Constitution guarantee?
  5. What is guaranteed by freedom of religion and conscience?
  6. Which right is enshrined in the Swiss Federal Constitution?

Equality before the law and prohibition of discrimination

  1. What does equality before the law mean?
  2. According to the Constitution and the law, women and men in Switzerland have equal rights. What does that mean?
  3. Someone does not get a job because of their skin colour or their sex. Which fundamental right is violated?
  4. Two young people are not let into the swimming pool because of their dark skin colour. Which fundamental right does this violate?

Laws and prohibitions

Federal Constitution, ZGB, OR, StGB

  1. What is the constitution of the Swiss Confederation called?
  2. There are various laws in Switzerland. Which one governs the renting of flats?
  3. There are various laws in Switzerland. What does the Civil Code (ZGB) govern?
  4. There are various laws in Switzerland. Which one governs whether someone has to go to prison?

What is prohibited and what is protected

  1. What is prohibited in Switzerland?
  2. What violates personal privacy or data protection?
  3. What does the Swiss Federal Constitution prohibit?
  4. What is prohibited in Switzerland?
  5. Which punishment does the Federal Constitution prohibit?
  6. May Swiss citizens be extradited to other countries?
  7. What is prohibited in Switzerland? It is prohibited …

Obligations

Taxes, registration, health insurance

  1. What obligations do residents of Switzerland have?
  2. What obligations do residents of Switzerland have?
  3. What obligations do residents of Switzerland have?

Military service, civilian service and civil protection service

  1. Who must do military service or civil protection service in Switzerland?
  2. Which obligation applies only to men in Switzerland?
  3. Civilian service in Switzerland is ...

Living in Switzerland

Pension provision

The three pillars

  1. What is the first pillar of the pension system?
  2. What is the second pillar of the pension system?
  3. What is the third pillar of the pension system?

AHV, IV and supplementary benefits

  1. What is a Swiss social insurance?
  2. What does AHV stand for?
  3. Which insurance is compulsory in Switzerland?
  4. What is a social insurance in Switzerland?
  5. What does the abbreviation IV stand for?
  6. What is the standard retirement age in Switzerland?
  7. When can someone receive so-called supplementary benefits?

Insurance and health

Unemployment and accident insurance

  1. What is part of the Swiss social insurance system?
  2. For what is there a social insurance in Switzerland?
  3. What is deducted directly from employees' wages? The contribution to . . .
  4. What is the RAV?
  5. Who pays the hospital costs after a serious accident at work?
  6. Who does not pay contributions to unemployment insurance?

Health insurance fund and BAG

  1. Which health insurance is compulsory?
  2. Which statement about compulsory insurance with a health insurance fund in Switzerland is correct?
  3. Who must take out insurance with a health insurance fund?
  4. Which insurance is compulsory in Switzerland?
  5. What is the BAG?
  6. From when must a child in Switzerland have health insurance?
  7. Where is membership compulsory in Switzerland?

Work

Employment contract, notice, maternity

  1. What is a reference letter from an employer (Arbeitszeugnis)?
  2. An employee may not be dismissed if she ...
  3. What must you do if you want to end an employment relationship in the regular way?
  4. What is regulated in an employment contract, among other things? It regulates ...
  5. When are you as an employee entitled to paid hours or days off work?
  6. Which statement about maternity leave in Switzerland is correct?

Disputes at work

  1. Which dispute is the labour court responsible for?
  2. Whom can employees turn to with questions about employment law?
  3. What can you do if the employer pays too little wages without reason?

Vocational education and career information

  1. What is a vocational training centre (Berufsbildungszentrum)?
  2. Where can you find information about apprenticeships, occupations and work?

Taxes and family support

Taxes and the tax return

  1. What does an individual's tax burden depend on?
  2. The tax return ...
  3. If you do not agree with your tax bill, . . .
  4. What does the state finance with tax money?
  5. What does MWST stand for?
  6. Dog owners must, for their dog, …

Child allowances and tax deductions

  1. Employees and self-employed people with children are entitled to …
  2. What state support do all families in Switzerland receive?
  3. How does the state support families in Switzerland?

Marriage, family and housing

Marriage, divorce, family name

  1. Under what conditions may you marry in Switzerland?
  2. Who can file for divorce?
  3. Who must register the intention to marry at the civil registry office?
  4. What is a requirement for getting married in Switzerland?
  5. What surname does a child of married parents receive?

Bringing up children and the time-limit model

  1. Since 2002, abortion in Switzerland has been regulated by the time-limit model (Fristenlösung). What does that mean?
  2. Bringing up children is primarily the task …

Renting

  1. What does the tenancy agreement for a flat govern?
  2. Whom must you let into your own flat upon a justified request?
  3. What is the Tenants' Association (Mieterinnen- und Mieterverband)?

School and everyday life

Compulsory school

  1. How many years does compulsory schooling last in Switzerland?
  2. Who decides which class a child is placed in at primary school?
  3. What is compulsory in the Swiss education system?

Associations

  1. Who may found an association?

Emergency numbers and sirens

  1. What does the number 117 stand for in Switzerland?
  2. What does the number 144 stand for in Switzerland?
  3. What should you do when the alarm sirens sound in a real emergency?

Driving licence

  1. When can a driving licence be withdrawn?

History of Switzerland

Beginnings and the Old Swiss Confederacy

Helvetii and Romans

  1. Which people lived in the area of present-day Switzerland at the time of ancient Rome?
  2. From which ancient power and culture does the amphitheatre shown here (in Avenches) come?

1291, the Rütli and William Tell

  1. Which founding cantons (Urkantone) formed an alliance in 1291?
  2. Who was William Tell?
  3. What does the Rütli commemorate?

Marignano 1515

  1. In 1515, the Confederates lost the Battle of Marignano. What were the consequences of this defeat?

Reformation, Napoleon and neutrality

The Reformation

  1. In the 16th century there was an important religious movement in Europe and in Switzerland. What is it called?
  2. Which new religious denomination emerged with the Reformation?
  3. What led to the denominational split of Switzerland?

1798: the French and Napoleon

  1. In 1798, a European ruler briefly turned the Confederation into a centralised state. What was the ruler's name?
  2. What led to the political reorganisation of the Confederation in 1798?

Neutrality since 1815

  1. Switzerland is neutral. What does that mean?
  2. What did the European powers establish for Switzerland at the Congress of Vienna in 1815?

Federal state and industrialisation

Sonderbund War and the federal state of 1848

  1. What is the significance of the year 1848 in Swiss history?
  2. Who fought against each other in the Sonderbund War of 1847?
  3. How was the Confederation redefined in the Federal Constitution of 1848?

From agrarian state to industrial state

  1. In Switzerland, industrialisation began in the early 19th century. What was most important in this process?
  2. In the 19th century, Switzerland changed ...
  3. During Europe's colonial rule ...
  4. Which invention fundamentally changed Swiss industry in the 18th century?
  5. In 1877, child labour was banned in Switzerland. Why?
  6. Why did many Swiss people emigrate in the 19th century?

The 20th century

National general strike of 1918

  1. During the national general strike (Landesstreik) of 1918, workers demanded more rights. What was one consequence of the national strike?

Second World War

  1. How can Switzerland's relationship with the warring powers in the Second World War be described?

Immigration and the Schwarzenbach initiative

  1. What did the so-called «Schwarzenbach initiative» of 1970 demand?
  2. In the 1950s, Switzerland needed foreign workers. Where did most of them come from?
  3. Why did many people come to Switzerland from (former) Yugoslavia in the 1990s?

Prosperity and AHV

  1. When did the standard of living in Switzerland rise significantly for many people?
  2. Which insurance was introduced in Switzerland in 1948?

The youngest canton: Jura

  1. Which canton has only been an independent canton since 1979?

Women's rights

Women's suffrage and equal rights

  1. When did Swiss women obtain the right to vote and elect at federal level?
  2. Men and women have equal rights. Since when has this sentence been in the Constitution?
  3. Since when have Swiss women been allowed to vote and elect at federal level?
  4. Who was the first woman on the Swiss Federal Council?

Culture, economy and Switzerland in the world

Traditions and sport

Jass, yodelling, Fasnacht, Chilbi

  1. What is the traditional card game of Switzerland called?
  2. The Basel Fasnacht (carnival) is started with the «Morgestraich» on a Monday at 4 a.m. What happens then?
  3. What is a rural cultural tradition of Switzerland?
  4. What do you need for yodelling?
  5. Which tradition in Switzerland is associated with Fasnacht (carnival)?
  6. What can you experience at a «Chilbi»?

Schwingen, skiing, football, Federer

  1. What is the largest Swiss circus called?
  2. What is the name of a traditional Swiss sport?
  3. Roger Federer is a well-known Swiss …
  4. Which sport do many people in Switzerland do in winter?
  5. Which sport is most frequently played in a club in Switzerland?

Art and literature

Writers, artists, National Museum

  1. What is shown at the Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum) in Zurich?
  2. Which famous character did the writer Johanna Spyri create?
  3. Max Frisch (1911-1991) and Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1921-1990) were well-known Swiss ...
  4. Nicky Saint-Phalle, Sophie Täuber-Arp and Pipilotti Rist are internationally famous Swiss ...

Economy and transport

Watch industry

  1. In which economic sector has Switzerland been a world leader for centuries?
  2. Which industry is the Jura region known for?

Pioneers, hydropower, pharmaceuticals

  1. Who played an important role in founding the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), in building the railways and in founding today's Credit Suisse?
  2. What is an important natural resource of Switzerland?
  3. What is the Basel region particularly known as?

Railways and the Gotthard

  1. What is special about the Gotthard Base Tunnel?
  2. It is said of Switzerland's railway network ...
  3. What does the abbreviation SBB stand for?
  4. SBB, BLS, SOB and SZU are abbreviations for Swiss ...

Switzerland in the world

Red Cross, UN, Geneva and international organisations

  1. Which important humanitarian organisation was founded in Geneva in 1863?
  2. Which organisation did Henry Dunant (1828-1910) found in Geneva?
  3. Which international organisation has its headquarters in Switzerland?
  4. Which international organisation has Switzerland been a member of since 2002?
  5. Switzerland is a member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). What does it particularly work for there?
  6. Which important international event takes place regularly in Switzerland?
  7. In which city does the UN Human Rights Commission have its seat?
  8. Which international sports federation has its headquarters in Zurich?

Switzerland and the EU

  1. What is a cross-border commuter (Grenzgänger)?
  2. Who is Switzerland's most important trading partner (as of 2017)?
  3. What laid the foundations of Switzerland's current relations with the EU?
  4. Who is Switzerland's most important trading partner?
  5. How is Switzerland's relationship with the European Union (EU) regulated?

Canton and municipality of Zurich

Zurich: politics

Cantonal Government and directorates

  1. How many members does the Cantonal Government (Regierungsrat) of the canton of Zurich have?
  2. What is the name of a directorate of the canton of Zurich?
  3. How many members does the government of the canton of Zurich have?
  4. What is the executive called in the canton of Zurich?
  5. How are the members of the Zurich government chosen?

Cantonal Council and Council of States

  1. How often are the members of the Cantonal Council (Kantonsrat) elected?
  2. How many people represent the canton of Zurich in the Council of States?
  3. What is the parliament of the canton of Zurich called?
  4. How are the members of the Cantonal Council chosen?

Tasks of the canton, districts, petition

  1. What is a task of the canton of Zurich?
  2. How many districts are there in the canton of Zurich?
  3. How can people without a Swiss passport also become politically active in the canton of Zurich?
  4. What are the cantons mainly responsible for?

Municipalities and the city of Zurich

Municipal assembly, municipal council, City Council

  1. What is the executive called in the city of Zurich?
  2. What happens at a municipal assembly (Gemeindeversammlung)?
  3. Who elects the City Parliament (Gemeinderat) of the city of Zurich?
  4. Who counts the ballot papers in political votes?
  5. Citizens can make political decisions at municipal level by . . .
  6. Who runs the administration and plans the goals of public action in the city of Zurich?
  7. How many municipalities are there in the canton of Zurich?
  8. What is the highest representative called in smaller Zurich municipalities?

Tasks of the municipality

  1. What is a task of Zurich municipalities?
  2. Who grants the building permit for a detached house in the canton of Zurich?
  3. What are the municipalities responsible for?
  4. What is the municipality responsible for?
  5. Where must you register when you move?

Offices, school and social services

Road Traffic Office and civil registry office

  1. Who issues driving licences for car drivers in the canton of Zurich?
  2. Who may register motor vehicles for use on the road?
  3. Where must you go if you want to get married?

Cantonal and municipal taxes

  1. Which of these is one of the most important cantonal and municipal taxes?
  2. Which of these is one of the most important cantonal and municipal taxes?

State schools in the canton of Zurich

  1. Who is primarily responsible for state schools in Switzerland?
  2. When does compulsory schooling begin in the canton of Zurich?
  3. Who is responsible for financing and organising primary school?
  4. Who runs the state schools in Zurich municipalities?

Social assistance, financial equalisation, neighbourhood association

  1. What is a neighbourhood association (Quartierverein)?
  2. What is the purpose of financial equalisation between the municipalities?
  3. What support does the municipality provide if your own income or assets are not sufficient to cover living costs?
  4. Where can you find information about the municipality's services and regulations?
  5. Which social benefits do the municipalities pay for?

Zurich: location and cities

Coat of arms, location and neighbouring cantons

  1. Which is the coat of arms of the canton of Zurich?
  2. Where is the canton of Zurich located?
  3. Geographically, the canton of Zurich belongs ...
  4. How many cantons does the canton of Zurich border on?
  5. Which canton borders on the canton of Zurich?

Cities, airport, population

  1. What are the three largest cities in the canton of Zurich?
  2. In which municipality is Zurich Airport located?
  3. How many people live in the canton of Zurich (as of 2020)?
  4. What is the capital of the canton of Zurich called?

Zurich: lakes, rivers, landscape

Lakes, rivers and hills

  1. Which hills surround Lake Zurich?
  2. Which lake is in the canton of Zurich?
  3. What is the second-largest lake in the canton of Zurich called?
  4. Which river flows into the Limmat in the city of Zurich?
  5. Which river flows through the canton of Zurich?
  6. Which river flows through Winterthur?

Kyburg and agriculture

  1. Which castle is in the canton of Zurich?
  2. How large is the agricultural area in the canton of Zurich?

Zurich: history

Pile dwellings and Turicum

  1. In Roman times, the name of the city of Zurich was …
  2. What did the Romans bring to Zurich?
  3. From 5000 to 1000 BC, people on Lake Zurich built …

Zwingli and the plague

  1. What killed almost half of Zurich's population between 1611 and 1635?
  2. Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) was a well-known . . .
  3. Who reformed the church in Zurich?

Canton since 1803, Lieberherr, chocolate

  1. What was the Sechseläutenplatz used for during the Second World War?
  2. The canton of Zurich in the modern sense has existed since ...
  3. What did Emilie Lieberherr (1924-2011) campaign for?
  4. What kind of factories did Philippe Suchard (1797-1884) and Rudolph Lindt (1855-1909) found in Switzerland?

Zurich: culture

Sechseläuten, Böögg and guilds

  1. It is said that at Sechseläuten (Zurich's spring festival), the faster the «Böögg» (snowman figure) on the bonfire loses its head, the ...
  2. Who plays an important role at Zurich's Sechseläuten (spring festival)?

Street Parade, Theater Spektakel, Weltklasse

  1. What does the Street Parade in Zurich stand for?
  2. What does the Zürcher Theater Spektakel always offer in August?
  3. Which of these is a Zurich sports event?

Technorama, Masoala, Gottfried Keller

  1. In this museum you can experiment. In which city is the Technorama?
  2. In which museum can you touch everything and experiment?
  3. Where is the Masoala Hall with a rainforest from Madagascar?
  4. Gottfried Keller (1819-1890) was a well-known Zurich ...