Questions about Basel-City

Correct answer: C – Its municipal affairs are handled by the canton

According to the cantonal constitution, the canton handles the affairs of the municipality of the city of Basel. The Grand Council, the government (Regierungsrat) and the cantonal administration are therefore also responsible for the city; there is no separate city parliament or city executive. Riehen and Bettingen, by contrast, have their own municipal authorities.

Source: gesetzessammlung.bs.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – Since 2006

Voters approved the new cantonal constitution on 30 October 2005; it has been in force since 13 July 2006. It replaced the constitution of 1889. The total revision also removed the former provision stating that reunification with Basel-Country should be pursued.

Source: gesetzessammlung.bs.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: D – Grosser Rat

The cantonal parliament of Basel-City is called the Grosser Rat (Grand Council). It is also the parliament of the city of Basel, because the canton handles the city's affairs. The Bürgergemeinderat, by contrast, is the parliament of the citizens' community of the city of Basel.

Source: gesetzessammlung.bs.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – 100

The cantonal constitution stipulates that the Grand Council has 100 members. They are elected every four years by proportional representation. Before the 2008 election the Grand Council still had 130 seats.

Source: gesetzessammlung.bs.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – 1501

The city of Basel joined the Confederation in 1501, in the same year as Schaffhausen. At that time the countryside also belonged to the city-state of Basel. The division into two cantons only happened in 1833.

Source: bgbasel.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: B – It was split into Basel-City and Basel-Country

After conflicts between the city and the rural communities, the countryside broke away in 1833 as the separate canton of Basel-Country. Since then there have been the two cantons Basel-City and Basel-Country. Each has only one seat in the Council of States.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – Basel-City approved, Basel-Country clearly rejected

On 28 September 2014, Basel-City accepted the merger initiative with almost 55 percent, while Basel-Country rejected it with more than 68 percent. The two cantons therefore remain separate. They do, however, cooperate in many areas, for example on the University of Basel.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – It was founded in 1460 and is the oldest university in Switzerland

The University of Basel was founded in 1460 and is therefore the oldest university in Switzerland. The founding bull came from Pope Pius II. Today the cantons of Basel-City and Basel-Country jointly support the university.

Source: hls-dhs-dss.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – Basel

The capital and by far the largest municipality of the canton is the city of Basel. Liestal is the capital of the neighbouring canton of Basel-Country. Riehen and Bettingen are the two other municipalities of Basel-City.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – 3

According to the cantonal constitution, the canton is divided into the municipality of the city of Basel and the municipalities of Riehen and Bettingen (as of 2026). Together with Glarus, which also has three municipalities, Basel-City therefore has the fewest municipalities of all cantons. Each municipality also has a citizens' community (Bürgergemeinde) on its territory.

Source: gesetzessammlung.bs.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: B – Allschwil

Allschwil lies directly at the city boundary but belongs to the canton of Basel-Country. Basel-City only comprises Basel, Riehen and Bettingen. Many suburbs of Basel are in the neighbouring canton.

Source: agvchapp.bfs.admin.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: D – It is the smallest canton by area

With around 37 square kilometres, Basel-City is the smallest canton in Switzerland. At the same time it is the most densely populated canton. The second-smallest canton is Appenzell Innerrhoden with around 173 square kilometres.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – German

The cantonal constitution states: 'The official language is German.' However, authorities and offices are permitted to communicate in other languages as well. In everyday life people speak Basel German dialect (Baseldeutsch).

Source: gesetzessammlung.bs.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – The Jewish community

The cantonal constitution recognises four communities under public law: the Evangelical Reformed, the Roman Catholic and the Christian Catholic churches and the Jewish community (Israelitische Gemeinde). They may levy taxes on their members. Other communities are organised under private law and can only receive cantonal recognition with special rights; recognition under public law would require a constitutional amendment.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – Bürgerrat

The citizens' community of the city of Basel has a parliament (Bürgergemeinderat) and an executive (Bürgerrat). It is responsible for naturalisations and runs institutions such as the Bürgerspital and the Bürgerliches Waisenhaus. The Standeskommission is the government of Appenzell Innerrhoden.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – The naturalisation commission of the citizens' community

After the initial assessment interview at the Migration Office, the citizens' community (Bürgergemeinde) of the place of residence (Basel, Riehen or Bettingen) invites the applicant to an interview with its naturalisation commission. The interview works like a test and is recorded. There is no written test in Basel-City.

Source: bgbasel.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: B – B1 spoken and A2 written

Under the cantonal citizenship law, German at level B1 spoken and A2 written is required. Certificates from telc, Goethe-Institut, ÖSD or fide, for example, are accepted. No certificate is needed by people who speak and write German as their mother tongue, attended compulsory school in German for at least five years, or completed upper-secondary or tertiary education in German.

Source: gesetzessammlung.bs.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: B – 2 years

In addition to 10 years of residence in Switzerland, Basel-City requires at least two years of uninterrupted residence in the municipality concerned. A C permit (settlement permit) is also required. Until the municipal decision, one must not move to another municipality, otherwise the procedure is closed without a decision.

Source: bgbasel.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – The canton no longer charges a fee

Since 1 July 2026, cantonal naturalisation procedures have been free of charge under the citizenship law. Only federal and municipal fees remain. People under 25 and recipients of social assistance, supplementary benefits or health insurance premium reductions are exempt from municipal fees; the canton bears these costs.

Source: gesetzessammlung.bs.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: D – The chemical and pharmaceutical industry

Large pharmaceutical and chemical companies such as Roche and Novartis have their headquarters in Basel. Together with trade and logistics, this industry shapes the canton's economy. According to the Federal Statistical Office, Basel-City has the highest gross domestic product per capita of all cantons.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: B – They connect Switzerland with the North Sea via the Rhine

Via the Rhine ports – in Basel-Kleinhüningen and in the Basel-Country ports of Birsfelden and Muttenz – goods travel by ship to and from the North Sea. They are important for imports and exports, for example of mineral oil, building materials and containers. Basel is also the home port of Swiss ocean-going ships.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: B – A black Basel crosier on a white background

The coat of arms of Basel-City shows a black Basel crosier (bishop's staff) on a white background. The staff recalls Basel's history as a bishop's city. Basel-Country uses a red crosier.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – On the Monday after Ash Wednesday at 4 a.m. with the Morgestraich

The Basel Carnival begins on the Monday after Ash Wednesday at exactly 4 a.m. with the Morgestraich, when the lights go out in the city centre. It lasts exactly 72 hours. It therefore takes place later than most other carnivals.

Source: unesco.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: D – Inclusion in UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage

In December 2017 the Basel Carnival was added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Its music (drums and piccolo), lantern art and Schnitzelbängg (satirical verses) were among the elements honoured. The carnival helps preserve the Basel dialect.

Source: unesco.ch · Checked October 2026