St. Gallen Einbürgerungstest — Staatskundetest (Swiss Citizenship, Canton of St. Gallen)

Applicants for ordinary naturalisation in the canton of St. Gallen need a C permit, ten years in Switzerland (years between ages 8 and 18 count double, with at least six years actually lived here) and, as a rule, the last five years without a break in the canton and in their political municipality (three years in the canton and two in the municipality for people married to, or in a registered partnership with, a Swiss citizen for at least three years), German at B1 spoken and written, and familiarity with Swiss and local conditions: among other things, taking an interest in public life, knowing the principles of how the state is organised and having basic knowledge of geography, history, politics and society (canton of St. Gallen leaflet on ordinary naturalisation, section 1.1; Gesetz über das St.Galler Bürgerrecht, sGS 121.1, Art. 9, 10 and 14). The canton sets no single test: the applicant’s municipality decides how knowledge is checked. Many municipalities ask for the Staatskundetest run by Arge Bilang, sometimes together with a Staatskunde course. The test takes 60 minutes and costs CHF 120; its free sample questions cover Swiss geography, history and languages, democracy and federalism, rights and duties, social security and health, work and education, and the canton of St. Gallen, with open answers, matching and ticking. Results go to the municipality. The canton may charge up to CHF 2,000 for the cantonal citizenship and the federal permit fee comes on top. Facts from sg.ch and arge.ch, read 9 November 2026; check with your municipality for its own rules.