Thurgau citizenship test

How Thurgau checks your knowledge

In Thurgau the check lies with the municipality. Under the cantonal Citizenship Act, knowledge of local, cantonal and Swiss living conditions is assessed by a test or in an interview, unless it is evident. Usually the naturalisation committee holds a personal interview, and many municipalities also have their own written basic knowledge test.

There is no uniform cantonal test and no cantonal question catalogue. In 2014 the Regierungsrat stated that the canton is not responsible for this. Municipalities may require the course «Die Schweiz kennen und verstehen – Attest Grundwissen» at the GBW Weinfelden. Questions about the municipality and the district are part of it.

What you should know about the canton of Thurgau

• Structure: The capital is Frauenfeld. Since 2011 the canton has had five districts: Arbon, Frauenfeld, Kreuzlingen, Münchwilen and Weinfelden, plus 80 political municipalities and about 300,000 inhabitants. The 1987 constitution abolished the dual municipal system. In federal votes, Swiss citizens abroad count as the «81st municipality».
• Authorities: The Grosser Rat has 130 members and meets in Frauenfeld in summer and in Weinfelden in winter. The districts are its constituencies. The Regierungsrat has five members and is elected by the people by majority vote. The highest courts are the Obergericht and the administrative court. The current constitution has applied since 1990.
• People’s rights: An initiative needs 4000 voters, a referendum 2000 within three months. 30 members of the Grosser Rat can also demand a popular vote. Constitutional amendments always go to the people.
• History: In 1460 the Confederates conquered Thurgau, which then remained a jointly ruled subject territory until 1798. It gained its freedom in March 1798 and became a canton in 1803. From 1713 to 1797 the Federal Diet (Tagsatzung) met in Frauenfeld. The 1869 constitution brought direct democracy, and in 1875 Fridolin Anderwert became the first Federal Councillor from Thurgau.
• Geography: Thurgau lies on Lake Constance and the Untersee and borders Germany as well as Schaffhausen, Zurich and St. Gallen. The river Thur gave it its name, and the highest point is the Hohgrat.
• Economy and culture: Because of its many fruit trees, the canton is jokingly called «Mostindien» (cider India). Stadler Rail has its headquarters in Bussnang. Arenenberg Castle houses the Napoleon Museum, the Ittingen Charterhouse the Thurgau Art Museum, and Kreuzlingen the University of Teacher Education.

The naturalisation process in the canton of Thurgau

You submit the application to your political municipality. It checks your knowledge with a test or interview and grants municipal citizenship. Then comes the federal naturalisation permit from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). Cantonal citizenship is conferred by the Grosser Rat.

Thurgau requires German at B2 spoken and B1 written, more than the federal minimum. The residence rule is five years in the canton, the last three without interruption in the municipality. Cantonal citizenship costs 800 francs for adults and 400 francs up to age 18, plus municipal and federal fees.

How to prepare

The State Chancellery publishes the «Kurzbiografie Kanton Thurgau» (42nd edition, 2026) as official civics study material. «Thurgau in Zahlen 2026» and the information sheet of the Office for the Commercial Register and Civil Status on the procedure are useful additions.

Ask your municipality whether it has its own test or requires the GBW course. Because the interview is held at German level B2, you should be able to understand more complex questions and answer in detail. Also practise local topics: your district, municipal authorities and what makes your municipality special.

With the practice questions and the mock test on this page you can check your knowledge before the test or interview.