Switzerland Administrative Divisions

Name: Switzerland Administrative Divisions Dataset
Creator: GeoPostcodes
License: https://www.geopostcodes.com/pricing/

What is the hierarchy of administrative divisions in Switzerland?

Switzerland operates on a 3‑level system starting with 26 cantons, then districts, and municipalities as the smallest administrative units.

Here’s a breakdown of the hierarchy:

1. Cantons: Switzerland is divided into 26 cantons.

2. Districts: Cantons are subdivided into districts.

3. Municipalities: These are the smallest administrative units, often found within districts.

List of Switzerland's administrative divisions with their counts and names

These are the summarized administrative divisions. The full dataset is available in the Download Center.

iso	country	admin level 1	admin level 2	admin level 3	admin level 4
CH	Switzerland	Aargau (Canton)	11 Districts	197 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Appenzell Ausserrhoden (Canton)	3 Districts	20 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Appenzell Innerrhoden (Canton)	1 District	5 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Basel-City (Canton)	1 District	3 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Basel-Country (Canton)	5 Districts	86 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Bern (Canton)	10 Districts	335 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Fribourg (Canton)	7 Districts	121 Municipalities, 1 Kommunanz	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Geneva (Canton)	1 District	45 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Glarus (Canton)	1 District	3 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Grisons (Canton)	11 Districts	100 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Jura (Canton)	3 Districts	50 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Lucerne (Canton)	6 Electoral districts	79 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Neuchatel (Canton)	This level doesn’t exist for this country.	24 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Nidwalden (Canton)	1 District	11 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Obwalden (Canton)	1 District	7 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Saint Gallen (Canton)	8 Districts	75 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Schaffhausen (Canton)	6 Districts	1 Enclave, 26 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Schwyz (Canton)	6 Districts	30 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Solothurn (Canton)	10 Districts	106 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Thurgau (Canton)	5 Districts	80 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Ticino (Canton)	8 Districts	100 Municipalities, 2 Kommunanzen	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Uri (Canton)	1 District	19 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Valais (Canton)	13 Districts	122 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Vaud (Canton)	10 Districts	300 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Zug (Canton)	1 District	11 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.
CH	Switzerland	Zurich (Canton)	12 Districts	160 Municipalities	This level doesn’t exist for this country.

Why is building an Administrative Divisions Database complex?

The complexity arises from inconsistent global standards, frequent boundary changes, non-uniform naming conventions (e.g., “suburb” in Australia vs. “county” in the US), and variations in administrative levels across countries. Integrating and harmonizing data from multiple sources requires advanced normalization, versioning, and geospatial validation techniques.

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Our standardized database overcomes the complexity of different administrative division
systems worldwide. Our database follows a unified structure that you can integrate
seamlessly into your system or platform of choice without needing to become an expert in
each country’s unique administrative hierarchy.

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Updated: June 1, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the administrative divisions of Switzerland?

Switzerland is divided into 26 cantons (Kantone), which form the top-level administrative units. These are subdivided into 137 districts (Bezirke) and 6 electoral districts (Wahlkreise). The smallest administrative level consists of 2,148 municipalities (Gemeinden), 3 kommunanzen, and 2 enclaves (Enklaven). Major cantons include Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, and Appenzell Innerrhoden.

How many administrative levels does Switzerland have?

Switzerland has 3 administrative levels. Level 1: 26 cantons (Kantone). Level 2: 137 districts (Bezirke) and 6 electoral districts (Wahlkreise). Level 3: 2,148 municipalities (Gemeinden), 3 kommunanzen, and 2 enclaves (Enklaven).

How is Switzerland organized into cantons?

Switzerland operates on a 3‑level system starting with 26 cantons, then districts, and municipalities as the smallest administrative units. Note that Neuchatel do not have sub-divisions at the next level.

What is the difference between districts and electoral districts in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, districts and electoral districts both sit at administrative level 2 but serve different functions. Districts (bezirke) — there are 137 — typically group multiple smaller municipalities under a shared administration. Electoral districts (wahlkreise) — there are 6 — are a larger city or urban area that handle its own administration independently.

What are administrative divisions called in German?

Swiss administrative divisions have specific local names at each level. In German, French, and Italian, cantons are called Kantone; districts are called Bezirke; electoral districts are called Wahlkreise; municipalities are called Gemeinden; enclaves are called Enklaven. These local-language terms appear in official documents, legal records, and government databases, so matching them correctly is important for data integration and compliance.

How often do administrative boundaries change in Switzerland?

Administrative boundaries in Switzerland change as governments reorganize regions, merge municipalities, or create new administrative units to reflect population shifts and political decisions. Changes most commonly affect the municipalities level, where Switzerland currently has 2,153 units. Businesses that rely on Swiss administrative data should use a regularly updated reference dataset to avoid mismatches in geocoding, tax jurisdiction mapping, and compliance reporting.