Zurich Citizenship Test: Social State and Civil Society

Last checked: 3 November 2026

What this area covers

The second area of the Zurich catalogue is about everyday life in the welfare state: social insurance, health, taxes and duties, school and training, work, housing, family law and civil society. It has questions on the Confederation, the canton and the communes. Many of them describe situations you know from your own life in Switzerland.

Below are the facts you should know, in our own words. We do not reproduce the canton’s questions.

Old-age provision rests on three pillars: the state AHV (old-age and survivors’ insurance) is the first pillar, the occupational pension fund (Pensionskasse) the second, and private savings the third.
AHV and IV (disability insurance) are compulsory social insurances. The AHV was introduced in 1948.
Supplementary benefits (Ergänzungsleistungen) help people whose AHV or IV pension does not cover basic living costs.
Unemployment insurance pays when you lose your job. The employer deducts the contributions from your wage. Retired people no longer pay into it.
Accident insurance pays, for example, the hospital costs after a serious accident at work.
The reference retirement age is 65 for women and men.
Parents receive family allowances (child allowances), whether they are employed or self-employed.
Every employed woman has a legal right to maternity leave, and a pregnant employee may not be dismissed during pregnancy.

Health

Basic health insurance is compulsory for everyone living in Switzerland. You choose your insurer yourself. A newborn child must be insured within three months of birth.
Among the usual insurances, health insurance is the only one the law requires of every resident.
The federal authority for health is the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG).
Emergency numbers: 117 police, 144 ambulance, 118 fire brigade.

Taxes and duties

Everyone living in Switzerland must pay taxes and register with the commune where they live.
Cantons and communes levy mainly income tax and wealth tax. How much you pay depends on your taxable income and assets. Families can claim deductions.
In the tax return you declare your financial situation. If you disagree with the assessment, you can file a written objection with the tax office.
VAT (MWST) is a federal tax on goods and services. Public schools are paid for from taxes.
Swiss men must do military service or civil protection service up to a certain age; civilian service is possible instead of military service.
Dog owners pay a dog tax. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can cost you your driving licence.

School and training

Compulsory school lasts eleven years. In the canton of Zurich it begins with kindergarten. Cantons and communes are responsible for it.
The school board or school management assigns children to their class.
Career information centres (BIZ) give advice on apprenticeships, careers and jobs.

Work

An employment contract sets out, among other things, the wage. A notice of termination should be sent by registered mail, or the other party confirms receipt in writing.
A reference letter (Arbeitszeugnis) from the employer assesses your work and conduct.
Trade unions represent employees; economiesuisse is the umbrella association of business.
For disputes, for example unjustified dismissal or unpaid wages, employees can go to the labour court, a lawyer or a union.
The RAV (regional employment centre) helps jobseekers.
Employees get time off to carry out a public office.

Housing, family and civil society

A rental contract sets out the rights and duties of landlord and tenant. Tenants must let the landlord in when there is a good reason. The tenants’ association represents tenants.
To marry, you must be of age and capable of judgement, and you may not be closely related. The couple registers together at the civil registry office. Being married to more than one person at a time is prohibited.
Either spouse, or both together, can ask for a divorce. Spouses without a common surname decide together which surname their children will have.
Parents bear the main responsibility for bringing up their children.
Since 2002 a woman may decide herself on an abortion within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy.
Anyone may found an association (Verein). Organisations such as Amnesty International campaign for human rights.
Foreign nationals have no vote at federal level.

The commune’s role

Communes pay social assistance when income and assets do not cover living costs. After moving you register with the residents’ office (Einwohnerkontrolle). Fiscal equalisation helps financially weak communes. Local news comes from the communal newspaper or website. More on this level: Canton and communes of Zurich.

How to study this area

Link each fact to your own life: your payslip (AHV, unemployment insurance), your health insurance policy, your tax return, your rental contract. The abbreviations matter: AHV, IV, EL, RAV, MWST, BAG.

Next step

Practise this area with the free questions. The other areas: Democracy and federalism, History, Geography, Culture and everyday culture. Format and registration: Knowledge test.