5 Developed Countries with Citizenship Tests

2. Switzerland

Insider Monkey ranking: 2

Before granting citizenship, the Swiss government, like other countries, assesses the applicant’s ability to integrate into their society through a citizenship test. The format of the test, whether written or an oral questionnaire, depends on the applicant’s location. The test is conducted at both the federal and canton levels, with each canton having its specific community-oriented test.

The first section of the test covers areas such as work, social life, family, and local living conditions. The second section focuses on assessing the applicant’s knowledge of the country, including Swiss history, geography, landscape, flags, political figures, as well as famous musicians and artists. The third part centers on the applicant’s local community, gauging the extent of their integration into the local society.

The citizenship test requirements vary across the country. Some cantons include a written test, while others do not, and in some, the test is part of the citizenship interview. Larger cities may have less common citizenship tests, administered by the local community.