Basel-Stadt Einbürgerungsgespräch — Einbürgerung Kanton Basel-Stadt (Swiss Citizenship Interview)

In the canton of Basel-Stadt there is no written knowledge test for ordinary naturalisation. Applicants file with the Migrationsamt, which holds a survey interview (Erhebungsgespräch); the Bürgergemeinde of their commune (Basel, Riehen or Bettingen) then holds the naturalisation interview. In the city of Basel it is held by the Einbürgerungskommission of the Bürgergemeinde at the earliest six months after the survey interview; the Bürgergemeinde der Stadt Basel says the interview has the character of a test and is recorded; the commission checks whether the requirements are met, including basic knowledge of the geographical, historical, political and social conditions in the Confederation, the canton and the commune (BüRG § 11), and then recommends admission, rejection or deferral to the Bürgerrat. No official question list for adults is published on bs.ch or bgbasel.ch; the Bürgergemeinde der Stadt Basel offers paid preparation courses (Kompaktkurs Einbürgerung, Fit für Basel). Language proof: German, oral B1 and written A2 (BüRG § 8). Applicants who attended all of compulsory school in Switzerland, including all of lower secondary school (Sekundarstufe I) in Basel-Stadt, are exempt from the knowledge proof (BüRG § 11 Abs. 2).