This topic covers fundamental rights, the rule of law and the duties that come with living in Switzerland, including naturalisation itself.
The Federal Constitution guarantees fundamental rights such as equality before the law (Art. 8), freedom of expression, religion and association, and the right to free primary education. Equality between women and men has been in the Constitution since 1981, including equal pay for work of equal value. Under the rule of law the authorities are bound by the law too, and everyone is presumed innocent until convicted.
Duties include paying taxes and, for Swiss men, military or civilian service, or else the military service exemption tax. Several questions concern naturalisation: 10 years of residence, years between ages 8 and 18 count double, language skills of B1 spoken and A2 written, and no social assistance in the three years before applying. Switzerland has allowed dual citizenship since 1992.
Art. 8: everyone is equal before the law
Petitions: open to all, even without the vote
Military service for Swiss men
Dual citizenship allowed since 1992
24 of the 39 questions on this topic in our question bank · Tap an answer to see if it is right. Under “Show answer” you find the solution with an explanation and the source.
1
Which principle is set out in Article 8 of the Federal Constitution?
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Correct answer: C – Every person is equal before the law
Article 8 of the Federal Constitution states that every person is equal before the law. No one may be discriminated against, in particular on grounds of origin, race, gender, age, language, social position, way of life, religious or political convictions, or disability. Fundamental rights apply to everyone in Switzerland, not only to Swiss citizens.
In which year was equality between men and women enshrined in the Federal Constitution?
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Correct answer: A – 1981
On 14 June 1981 the people and the cantons accepted the equality article. It requires legal and actual equality between men and women, especially in the family, education and work, and guarantees equal pay for work of equal value. In addition, the Gender Equality Act came into force in 1996.
Are women and men in Switzerland entitled to equal pay for work of equal value?
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Correct answer: D – Yes, this is set out in the Federal Constitution
The Federal Constitution guarantees women and men the right to equal pay for work of equal value (Art. 8 para. 3). The Gender Equality Act prohibits discrimination in working life. Employers with 100 or more employees must also carry out an equal pay analysis regularly.
May people in Switzerland publicly criticise the government?
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Correct answer: B – Yes, freedom of opinion and information is a fundamental right
Freedom of opinion and information (Art. 16) allows everyone to form, express and disseminate their opinions freely – including criticism of the authorities. Criminal law sets limits, for example for defamation, incitement to violence or discrimination and incitement to hatred (Art. 261bis Criminal Code). Media freedom is also guaranteed.
From what age may young people in Switzerland decide their religious affiliation themselves?
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Correct answer: B – 16
Under the Civil Code (Art. 303), a child who has reached the age of 16 decides independently on his or her religious affiliation. Until then, parents decide on religious upbringing. From 16, one can therefore, for example, leave a church on one's own.
May people in Switzerland freely found an association or join a trade union?
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Correct answer: A – Yes, freedom of association and freedom to form trade unions are guaranteed
Freedom of association (Art. 23) gives everyone the right to form associations, to join them or to stay out of them. Freedom of coalition (Art. 28) protects the right to join together in trade unions or employers' associations. No one may be forced to join an association.
Correct answer: B – A written request or suggestion to an authority that anyone – even without voting rights – may submit
The right of petition (Art. 33) allows everyone, including foreign nationals and children, to address requests, proposals or criticism to the authorities. No one may suffer any disadvantage for doing so. The authority must take note of the petition but is not obliged to act on it.
Correct answer: C – The state and its authorities must also abide by the law
Under the rule of law, the law is the basis and limit of all state activity (Art. 5). Authorities may only act where a law permits it and must act proportionately and in good faith. Independent courts protect people from arbitrary treatment.
Which right allows Swiss citizens to settle anywhere in Switzerland?
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Correct answer: B – Freedom of establishment
Freedom of establishment (Art. 24) gives Swiss citizens the right to settle anywhere in the country and to leave and re-enter Switzerland. For foreign nationals, residence is governed by the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act or the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. Anyone who moves must register with the new commune.
What does the Federal Constitution guarantee in the field of education?
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Correct answer: A – The right to sufficient basic education free of charge
Article 19 of the Federal Constitution guarantees the right to sufficient basic education free of charge. Public compulsory school is therefore free. It is also religiously neutral and open to all children, regardless of their nationality or residence status.
Correct answer: D – In principle everyone resident or earning income in Switzerland, including foreign nationals
In principle all individuals resident in Switzerland and all companies are liable to tax, regardless of nationality. Taxes are levied by the Confederation, the cantons and the communes and finance, for example, schools, roads, security and social benefits. Anyone who does not pay taxes faces debt collection proceedings; outstanding tax debts can also be an obstacle to naturalisation.
Who is liable for military service in Switzerland?
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Correct answer: B – Swiss men
The Federal Constitution obliges every Swiss man to perform military service (Art. 59). Those who cannot do so for reasons of conscience can perform civilian service; those found unfit may have to serve in civil protection. Swiss women may perform military service voluntarily.
What do Swiss men liable for service have to pay if they perform neither military nor civilian service?
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Correct answer: A – The military service exemption tax
Anyone who does not fulfil, or does not fully fulfil, the service obligation pays the military service exemption tax. It amounts to 3% of taxable income, but at least 400 francs per year. The tax is owed for a maximum of eleven years and at the latest until the end of the year in which one turns 37.
How many years of residence in Switzerland does the Confederation require for ordinary naturalisation?
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Correct answer: B – 10 years
Ordinary naturalisation requires a total of ten years' residence in Switzerland, three of which must fall within the five years before the application. Before 2018, twelve years were required. In addition, the cantons require a minimum period of residence in the canton or commune of two to five years.
Which years of residence count double when calculating the residence period for naturalisation?
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Correct answer: A – The years between the 8th and 18th birthdays
Time spent in Switzerland between the ages of 8 and 18 counts double. However, actual residence must be at least six years. This takes into account that young people have gone to school here.
What minimum language skills does the Confederation require for naturalisation?
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Correct answer: B – Level B1 spoken and A2 written
The Confederation requires at least level B1 spoken and A2 written in a national language according to the Common European Framework of Reference. Cantons may set higher requirements. Skills must generally be proven with a recognised certificate (e.g. fide), except for people whose mother tongue is a national language or who completed corresponding schooling.
What applies to people who received social assistance in the three years before their naturalisation application?
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Correct answer: A – In principle they cannot be naturalised unless they have fully repaid the social assistance
Anyone who receives social assistance in the three years immediately before the application or during the procedure generally does not meet the integration criterion of participating in economic life. An exception applies if the social assistance received has been repaid in full. Some cantons require even longer periods; personal circumstances such as illness or disability are taken into account.
Which levels are involved in ordinary naturalisation?
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Correct answer: B – Commune, canton and Confederation
Ordinary naturalisation is a three-level procedure: the commune and canton examine the application and the Confederation (SEM) issues the federal naturalisation authorisation. Only then do the canton and commune grant citizenship. The procedure and fees therefore vary from canton to canton.
What is the place of origin (Heimatort) of a Swiss citizen?
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Correct answer: D – The commune whose citizenship one holds – it need not be the place of birth or residence
The place of origin is the commune whose citizenship one holds. It is usually passed on by the parents or acquired through naturalisation and appears in the passport and identity card. Many Swiss people have never lived in their place of origin.
Do you have to give up your previous nationality when naturalising in Switzerland?
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Correct answer: B – No, Switzerland has accepted multiple nationality since 1992
Since 1992 Switzerland has accepted dual or multiple nationality. People who naturalise therefore do not have to give up their previous nationality. Whether they may keep it, however, depends on the law of their country of origin.
For whom has facilitated naturalisation as the 'third generation' been available since 2018?
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Correct answer: A – For young foreign nationals whose grandparents already lived in Switzerland
Since 15 February 2018 young third-generation foreign nationals can apply for facilitated naturalisation. Requirements include being born in Switzerland, holding a C permit, at least five years of compulsory schooling in Switzerland, a parent with long residence in Switzerland and grandparents who had a right of residence. The people and cantons approved the proposal on 12 February 2017.
Since when have same-sex couples been able to marry in a civil ceremony in Switzerland?
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Correct answer: C – Since 1 July 2022
On 26 September 2021 voters approved 'marriage for all' with 64.1% yes; it has applied since 1 July 2022. Since then same-sex couples have had the same rights as other married couples, for example regarding adoption and facilitated naturalisation. Registered partnerships, possible since 2007, can no longer be newly entered into.
How is domestic violence treated under Swiss criminal law?
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Correct answer: D – Many forms of domestic violence are prosecuted ex officio (by the authorities on their own initiative)
Since 2004, simple assault, repeated physical attacks, threats and coercion within marriage and partnerships have been prosecuted ex officio, even without a complaint from the victim. The police can also remove violent persons from the home. Victims receive support from cantonal victim support centres.
Correct answer: A – Everyone is presumed innocent until convicted by a final judgment
Under the Federal Constitution (Art. 32), everyone is presumed innocent until convicted by a final judgment. It is not for the accused to prove their innocence but for the state to prove their guilt. Everyone is also entitled to a fair trial before an independent court.