Specific requirements
St. Gallen requires 2 years of cantonal residence and 2 years in the municipality. German (B1 oral, A2 written) is mandatory. Municipal hearings are thorough — prepare to discuss your local integration.
Civics exam
The exam covers federal and cantonal institutions, history (St. Gallen Abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage site) and local geography.
Procedure and timelines
File your application at the municipality, which forwards it to the Department of the Interior. Expect 12 to 24 months.
Costs
Municipal: CHF 300–700 Cantonal: CHF 150–350 Federal: CHF 100 (non-EU/EFTA)