Appenzell Outer Rhodes citizenship test

How the civics test works

Appenzell Ausserrhoden checks basic knowledge with a cantonal civics test. It takes place at the Office of Internal Affairs, Citizenship and Civil Status division, in Trogen. The order is clearly set:

1. Initial interview at the Citizenship and Civil Status division.
2. Registration for the civics test. Dates are held monthly, on a Monday at 9 a.m.
3. Submit the application, only after passing the test.

The number of questions, the duration, the pass mark and the test fee are not published online. A cantonal guideline exists only for the authorities. One special point: on 30 November 2025 voters adopted a new cantonal constitution, which comes into force on 1 January 2027. The questions on this page are worded so that they are correct under both constitutions.

What you should know about Appenzell Ausserrhoden

• No capital: The constitution names no capital. The government, the Kantonsrat and the cantonal police are based in Herisau, the largest municipality, and the high court in Trogen. The canton has 20 municipalities, about 55,000 inhabitants and three regions: Hinterland, Mittelland and Vorderland.
• Location: Ausserrhoden borders only Appenzell Innerrhoden and St. Gallen. Both Appenzells are completely surrounded by the canton of St. Gallen. The borders of the three cantons meet on the Säntis.
• History: The undivided Land of Appenzell was admitted to the Confederation in 1513 as the 13th member. In 1597, after the Reformation, it split into Protestant Ausserrhoden and Catholic Innerrhoden. The Landsgemeinde alternated between Trogen and Hundwil and was abolished in 1997. Women gained the right to vote at cantonal level in 1989.
• Authorities: The Kantonsrat has 65 members, with the municipalities as constituencies. Because most seats are elected by majority vote, individuals count more than parties, and many members are independent. Since 2015 the Regierungsrat has had five full-time members and is chaired by the Landammann. Ausserrhoden has one seat in the Council of States.
• People’s rights: 300 voters are enough for an initiative or a referendum, within 60 days for a referendum. An Appenzell speciality is the Volksdiskussion (popular discussion): anyone living in the canton can submit written, reasoned proposals on bills to the Kantonsrat. Municipalities may introduce the right to vote for foreign nationals at municipal level.
• Customs: On 31 December and 13 January the Silvesterchläuse (New Year mummers) go from house to house in the Hinterland; there are «beautiful», «ugly» and «beautiful-ugly» ones, and they sing the Zäuerli, a wordless natural yodel. At the Bloch, a decorated tree trunk is pulled through the villages.
• Economy and personalities: The textile industry shaped the canton for centuries. Rail transport is provided by the Appenzell Railways. Since 1871 «free healing practice» has applied, which is why many natural health practitioners work here. Henri Dunant spent his last years in Heiden, and the Pestalozzi Children’s Village was founded in Trogen in 1946.

The naturalisation process in Appenzell Ausserrhoden

After the initial interview and passing the test, you submit the application. The municipal council checks the requirements and grants municipal citizenship. After the permit from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), the Regierungsrat grants Landrecht, that is cantonal citizenship.

Ausserrhoden requires German at B1 spoken and written, for example with telc, Goethe or fide. You must also not have received social assistance in the last five years. The residence rule is three years without interruption in the same municipality. If you move to another municipality during the procedure, you may have to start again. According to the information sheet, Landrecht costs 1000 francs for an adult single person, the municipality charges at most 2000 francs, and the federal fee comes on top.

How to prepare

The canton refers to the apps VoteInfo and CH Info and to the booklet «ECHO – Informationen zur Schweiz» by HEKS. Add to that the civics test page on ar.ch and the cantonal information sheet on ordinary naturalisation.

Because the test format is not published, broad knowledge pays off more than memorising. Pay particular attention to Ausserrhoden’s peculiarities: no capital, the Volksdiskussion, the municipalities as constituencies and the differences from Innerrhoden. These topics are typical of the canton and easy to explain.

With the practice questions and the mock test on this page you can check your knowledge before registering for the test in Trogen.