Specific requirements in Aargau
Aargau requires 2 years of cantonal residence and 1 year of municipal residence, plus the 10 federal years. German language skills (B1 oral, A2 written) are required.
Conditions vary significantly between municipalities: cities like Aarau and Baden have formalized procedures.
The civics exam
The Aargau exam covers Swiss and Aargau institutions, history, geography (confluence of the Aare, Reuss and Limmat) and civic life.
Format and difficulty vary by municipality.
Procedure and timelines
The application is filed at your municipality, then forwarded to the Department of Economic Affairs and Home Affairs (DVI).
Timelines in Aargau are around the Swiss average: 12 to 24 months.
Costs
Costs in Aargau vary considerably by municipality:
Municipal: CHF 200–800 Cantonal: CHF 150–400 Federal: CHF 100 (non-EU/EFTA)
Aargau is one of the cantons where municipal fees can be high — check your municipality's rates before applying.