Questions about Schaffhausen

Correct answer: C – Voting is compulsory; anyone absent without excuse pays a fine

According to the cantonal constitution (Art. 23), the right to vote and elect entails an obligation to take part in votes and elections. Anyone up to the age of 65 who does not take part without an excuse pays 6 francs. Schaffhausen is the only canton with compulsory voting of this kind and therefore regularly has one of the highest turnouts.

Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: D – 6 francs

The fine for not voting is 6 francs. In 2014 the Kantonsrat decided to double it from 3 to 6 francs. Compulsory voting applies up to the age of 65; anyone with a valid excuse pays nothing.

Source: stadt-schaffhausen.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – Kantonsrat

The cantonal parliament is called the Kantonsrat. The Grosser Stadtrat, by contrast, is the parliament of the city of Schaffhausen. The Kantonsrat meets in the historic town hall in Schaffhausen.

Source: rechtsbuch.sh.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: B – 60

The Kantonsrat has 60 members; until the 2008 election there were 80. It is elected by the people every four years by proportional representation, most recently in 2024 for the 2025–2028 legislature. The Grosser Stadtrat of the city of Schaffhausen has 36 members.

Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – 1501

Schaffhausen was admitted to the Confederation in 1501, in the same year as Basel. Until 1798 it was one of the Thirteen Old Cantons. The canton goes back to the city-state of Schaffhausen.

Source: stadt-schaffhausen.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – The Reformation

In 1529 the Reformation was introduced in Schaffhausen. By taking over monastery property, the city-state grew. The canton is traditionally Reformed; today a large part of the population has no religious affiliation.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – No, never

According to the federal administration, Schaffhausen, like Uri, Schwyz and Nidwalden, has never had a member of the Federal Council (as of 2026). In 1959 the mayor of Schaffhausen, Walther Bringolf, was the SP's official candidate, but Hans Peter Tschudi from Basel was elected instead. The Federal Council is elected by the Federal Assembly.

Source: admin.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: D – Traces of Ice Age reindeer hunters

The Kesslerloch near Thayngen is one of the most important late Ice Age sites in Europe. Reindeer hunters of the Magdalenian culture stayed here around 14,000 to 16,000 years ago; a famous find is an engraving of a grazing reindeer. Near Thayngen there is also the Weier pile-dwelling site, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site 'Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps'.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – Schaffhausen

The capital and largest municipality is the city of Schaffhausen. Neuhausen am Rheinfall is the second largest municipality. Stein am Rhein is known for its old town.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: B – It is the northernmost canton and lies mostly north of the Rhine

Schaffhausen forms the northernmost tip of Switzerland. Apart from small areas, the canton lies north of the Rhine and is largely surrounded by Germany. It consists of three separate parts.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – Zurich and Thurgau

In the south, Schaffhausen borders the cantons of Zurich and Thurgau, mostly in the Rhine. Most of the canton's border is shared with Germany. Economically it is closely linked to the Zurich area.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: D – Germany

The canton of Schaffhausen is almost entirely surrounded by Germany, more precisely by the state of Baden-Württemberg. Many border crossings shape everyday life. Deutsche Bahn's Basel–Konstanz railway line also runs through the canton.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – Büsingen am Hochrhein

Büsingen am Hochrhein belongs politically to Germany but is completely surrounded by Swiss territory, mostly by the canton of Schaffhausen. The municipality is part of the Swiss customs area. Konstanz, Lörrach and Singen are German towns near the Swiss border.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: B – German

The official language of the canton of Schaffhausen is German. In everyday life people speak the Schaffhausen dialect of Swiss German. French and Italian are national languages but not official languages of the canton.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: A – The Stadtrat (city executive)

In the city of Schaffhausen, the Stadtrat decides on municipal citizenship (naturalisation regulations in force since 2025). The interview about German skills and knowledge of Switzerland and Schaffhausen is led by a member of the Stadtrat; two delegates of the city parliament (Grosser Stadtrat) attend in an advisory capacity. Municipal citizenship only takes effect once cantonal citizenship and the federal naturalisation permit have been granted.

Source: stadt-schaffhausen.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: B – 2 years

The cantonal citizenship law (Art. 7) requires at least two years of continuous residence in the municipality before applying. Federal law additionally requires 10 years of residence in Switzerland and a C permit. Years spent in Switzerland between the ages of 8 and 18 count double.

Source: rechtsbuch.sh.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: B – B1 spoken and A2 written in German

A German language certificate, e.g. the fide language passport, at level B1 spoken and A2 written is required. Exemptions apply, among others, to native German speakers and people with five years of compulsory schooling or vocational training in German. These minimum levels apply throughout Switzerland under federal law.

Source: stadt-schaffhausen.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – People with eight years of schooling in Switzerland

Foreign nationals who completed eight years of compulsory schooling in Switzerland and have lived mainly here can use the simplified procedure (citizenship law, Art. 13). If a married couple applies together, both must meet this condition. The fee is lower in the simplified procedure.

Source: rechtsbuch.sh.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: B – Wine, especially Blauburgunder

Schaffhausen is the second-largest wine-growing area in German-speaking Switzerland after Zurich. About three quarters of the vines are Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir). Well-known wine villages in the Klettgau are Hallau, Wilchingen and Trasadingen.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – IWC

The watch manufacturer IWC (International Watch Co.) is headquartered in Schaffhausen and runs a watch museum there. Other important companies in the canton include Georg Fischer (Schaffhausen) and SIG (Neuhausen am Rheinfall). Industry has a long tradition in Schaffhausen.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: C – Munot

The Munot is a round fortress from the 16th century and the landmark of the city of Schaffhausen. Events such as a children's festival and the Munot Ball take place on it. Hohenklingen Castle stands above Stein am Rhein, the Zytglogge is in Bern and Castelgrande in Bellinzona.

Source: stadt-schaffhausen.ch · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: D – Its old town with painted façades

Stein am Rhein is a medieval town where the Rhine flows out of the Untersee. It is known for the richly painted house façades on the town hall square. Hohenklingen Castle stands above the town.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: D – A black ram on a golden background

The coat of arms shows a leaping black ram with a golden crown on a gold (yellow) background. The ram (Schafbock) alludes to the name 'Schaffhausen' (Schaf = sheep). An ibex, by contrast, appears in the coat of arms of Graubünden.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026

Correct answer: D – The Allerheiligen Minster

The minster of the former All Saints Abbey (Allerheiligen) is considered the largest Romanesque religious building in Switzerland. Next to it is the Museum zu Allerheiligen with collections on regional history. The Grossmünster (Zurich) and Hofkirche (Lucerne) are in other cities.

Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026