Municipalities of Switzerland

Municipalities are the smallest government division in Switzerland. Switzerland has approximately 2900 municipalities (communes/Gemeinden/comuni), with many having a population of a few hundred citizens.

Each canton defines their responsibilities. These may include providing local government services such as education, medical and social services, public transportation, and tax collection. The degree of centralization varies from one canton to another.

Municipalities are generally governed by a council headed by a mayor. Most cantons leave the option to larger municipalities to opt for a city parliament, instead of a general assembly-type legislature.

Swiss citizenship is based on the citizenship of a municipality. Every Swiss is citizen of one or several municipalities (i.e. the place of origin, lieu d'origine, Heimatort).

Municipalities are financed through direct taxes (e.g. income tax), with rates varying more or less within a framework set by the canton.

Many municipalities are having difficulties maintaining the civil services they need to perform the duties they are required to do. In an effort to reduce expenses, many municipalities are combining together (through mergers or the creation of special-purpose districts). This restructuring is generally encouraged by the cantonal governments and the rate of these unions is increasing.

"Cities" (villes or Städte) are the municipalities with more than 10'000 inhabitants.

One or more postal codes can by assigned to a municipality or shared with other municipalities.

See also: List of cities in Switzerland

Lists of municipalities by canton

See cantons of Switzerland for the number of municipalities per canton.

List of municipalities by population

Largest municipalities
City C. Pop.
Zürich ZH 365'000
Geneva GE 171'000
Basel BS 166'300
Bern BE 136'300
Lausanne VD 128'100
Winterthur ZH 87'000
St. Gallen SG 75'200
Lucerne LU 61'000
Lugano TI 52'000
Biel/Bienne BE 51'900
Thun BE 38'200
KönizBE36'993
La Chaux-de-FondsNE36'966
SchaffhausenSH33'764
FribourgFR32'549
ChurGR31'911
NeuchâtelNE31'630
VernierGE29'459
UsterZH28'770
SionVS27'697
EmmenLU26'973
Smallest municipalities (2002)
RankMunicipalityC.Pop.
1.PorteinGR22
2.CorippoTI23
3.MulegnsGR25
4.BisterVS26
5.MartisbergVS28
6.Goumoens-le-JuxVD30
6.LargarioTI30
8.CluginGR35
9.CaucoGR36
9.MonibleBE36
11.St. MartinGR37
12.GressoTI38
12.MontfavergierJU38
14.VaugondryVD39
15.ArrissoulesVD40
15.RomaironVD40
15.SelmaGR40
18.AusserbinnVS41
18.LinescioTI41
18.MaurazVD41
18.SteinhausVS41


de:Gemeinden der Schweiz fr:Communes de Suisse

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