The naturalisation interview: questions and tips

What the interview is about

The law requires you to be familiar with Swiss living conditions: you have basic knowledge of Switzerland, take part in social and cultural life and maintain contacts with Swiss people (Art. 2 SCO). The interview is where the municipality or committee forms a picture of this. At the same time it shows your language level.

Who conducts the interview varies: the municipal council, a naturalisation committee, the council of the burgher community, and in some cantons a committee of the cantonal parliament, as in Appenzell Innerrhoden or Valais. Sometimes there is an additional interview with a cantonal office or the police, for example in Nidwalden or Basel-Landschaft.

Three kinds of questions

Personal questions are about your life story, family, work and free time, and why you want to become Swiss.

Questions about the municipality check whether you are rooted where you live: authorities, clubs, events, sights, local media.

Knowledge questions cover Switzerland and the canton: geography, history, politics, rights and duties. In some cantons the interview replaces the written test.

Typical questions and how to answer

Why do you want to become Swiss? Answer personally: what connects you with Switzerland? Having a say, that is voting and electing, is a good reason. Do not only mention practical reasons such as travel.

Tell us something about yourself. Short and clear: where you come from, how long you have lived in Switzerland, family, job. Show that you are rooted in everyday life here.

What do you like about your municipality? Name places, clubs, events, the market or a festival. Do you know who the mayor (Gemeindepräsidentin or Gemeindepräsident) is? Do you know the neighbouring municipalities and the district?

What do you do in your free time? Clubs, sport, volunteering or a parents’ council show integration. Also talk about your contacts with Swiss people.

What is being voted on soon? Before the interview, read up on the next ballot at federal, cantonal or municipal level. Your opinion is your own; what matters is that you understand the issue and can explain your view.

How do you keep informed? Name specific sources, such as the local newspaper or the SRF, RTS or RSI channels. Knowing a current issue in your region helps a lot.

What rights and duties do Swiss citizens have? Rights: voting, electing, signing initiatives and referendums. Duties: paying taxes, compulsory schooling, military or civilian service for men, obeying the law.

What does equality between women and men mean to you? Equal rights in the family, at work, at school and in politics, in the Constitution since 1981. An example from your daily life shows that you live it.

Which customs do you know? Name a custom from your canton or municipality and explain it briefly. National Day on 1 August and local festivals such as carnival, Chilbi (village fair) or the cattle descent from the alpine pastures are good examples.

Will you keep your current nationality? Switzerland allows dual citizenship. Whether your country of origin allows it depends on its law. Answer honestly and factually.

How to prepare

• Practise out loud. Tell a friend or colleague why you want to become Swiss and what you like about your municipality. You will notice where you are missing words.
• Get to know your municipality. Municipal website, newsletter, local newspaper. Note down the authorities, clubs and the main events.
• Read the official material. Many cantons provide study material; Aargau even provides suggested topics and sample questions for the interview, and Geneva a preparation guide.
• Consolidate the basics. Use our practice questions and the practice test to check that the basics are solid.
• Be punctual and prepared. Bring the documents you were asked for and speak calmly, in full sentences. If you do not understand a question, ask. That is perfectly fine.