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Canton of St. Gallen

Naturalisation in the canton of St. Gallen

All the information on requirements, costs, duration and specifics of naturalisation in St. Gallen.

By · Updated:

Fact sheet

Capital
St. Gallen
Language
German
Population
540'036
Abbreviation
SG

Requirements

✓
Residence in Switzerland At least 10 years
✓
Residence in canton St. Gallen At least 5 years
✓
Residence in the municipality At least 5 years
✓
Language level At least B1 spoken in German
✓
Residence permit Settlement permit C required
✓
Naturalisation test At least 60% correct answers
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Cost of naturalisation in St. Gallen

B
Federal fee CHF 100
K
Cantonal fee CHF 500 – 1000
G
Municipal fee CHF 400 – 2000
Estimated total cost CHF 1'000 – 3'100
Use the detailed cost calculator →

Duration and specifics

Estimated process duration: 12–24 months
Specifics:
Large canton in eastern Switzerland. UNESCO World Heritage abbey library. 5 years of uninterrupted residence in the canton and the political municipality are required. Standard procedure with a personal interview.

Official authorities website

The process in St. Gallen: 5 steps

Ordinary naturalisation in St. Gallen follows a clear process. The canton checks integration, residence, language and knowledge.

  1. Check the requirements: At least 10 years of residence in Switzerland, of which 5 in canton St. Gallen and 5 in your municipality. Settlement permit C.
  2. Submit the application: Application with your municipality of residence. Submit documents, pay fees, prove your identity.
  3. Proof of language: At least level B1 spoken in a national language. Recognised certificates: fide, Goethe, telc, DELF/DALF.
  4. Naturalisation test: 48 questions on geography, history, politics and everyday life. At least 60% correct answers to pass.
  5. Naturalisation interview and decision: Personal interview with the municipality. Decision by municipality, canton and Confederation. Takes 12–24 months.

Documents you need

The municipality may ask for additional documents depending on your case. The following documents are practically always required in St. Gallen:

  • Permit C for foreign nationals (settlement permit)
  • Valid passport or ID card
  • Birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable
  • Recent Swiss criminal record extract
  • Debt collection register extract for the last 5 years
  • Confirmation from OASI (AHV/AVS) and tax authorities (no open debts)
  • Language certificate (at least B1 spoken)
  • Proof of years of residence (residence confirmations)
Tip: Ask your municipality for the current checklist before submitting. Requirements change from time to time.

Ready for the naturalisation test in St. Gallen?

In canton St. Gallen you need to answer 60% of the questions correctly. Practise now with over 300 questions!

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Frequently asked questions about naturalisation in St. Gallen

Total costs range from CHF 1'000 to CHF 3'100. The cantonal fee is CHF 500–1'000, the communal fee CHF 400–2'000.

Yes, in the Canton of St. Gallen a personal interview is part of the standard process. It assesses your integration and knowledge of Switzerland.

The process takes 12 to 24 months. You need 2 years of residence in the canton and 2 years in the municipality.

Naturalisation in other cantons

Requirements and costs differ. Here are the largest cantons compared:

Zurich CHF 1'100–3'600 Bern CHF 900–2'900 Vaud CHF 700–1'900 Aargau CHF 1'100–3'800 Geneva CHF 900–2'600

Show all 26 cantons →