In contrast to centrally organised states, in the federally constituted Switzerland each Canton is completely free to decide its own internal organisation. Therefore there exists a variety of structures and terminology for the subnational entities between Canton and Municipality, loosely termed districts.

Amt, Amtsbezirk, District and Distretto

Most Cantons are divided into Bezirke (German for districts). They are also termed Ämter (Lucerne), Amtsbezirke (Bern), district (in French) or distretto (Tessin and Graubünden).

The Bezirk generally provides only administration and court organisation. However, for historical reasons districts in cantons Graubünden and Schwyz are their own legal entities with jurisdiction over tax and often have their own Landsgemeinde.

Absence of a district level in ten cantons

Ten of the 26 Cantons entirely dispense with the district level of government:

Uri, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Glarus, Zug, Basel-City and Geneva (each with its own reason, be it historical or practical or because the area is small enough already). Schaffhausen renounced Bezirke since the middle of 1999. Since the start of 2003 Canton of St. Gallen does not recognise the Bezirk level any more; their functions are now undertaken by the electoral constituency.

List of Swiss districts by canton

The cantons are here ordered according to Article 1 (in German) of the Swiss constitution, to see the same cantons in dictionary order see Districts of Switzerland (alphabetical order).

Canton of Zürich

Canton of Bern

Canton of Lucerne

Canton of Uri

Canton of Uri is not divided into districts: the muncipility is the next lowest unit of government. See: Municipalities of the canton of Uri.

Canton of Schwyz

Canton of Obwalden

Obwalden is not divided into districts: the muncipility is the next lowest unit of government. See: Obwalden#MunicipalitiesObwalden.

Canton of Nidwalden

Nidwalden is not divided into districts.

See: Nidwalden#Municipalities

Canton of Glarus

Canton of Glarus is not divided into districts: the muncipility is the next lower unit of government. See: Municipalities of canton of Glarus .

Canton of Zug

Canton of Zug is not divided into districts.

See: Municipalities of the canton of Zug

Canton of Fribourg

Canton of Solothurn

See: Municipalities of the canton of Solothurn

Canton of Basel-City

Basel-City is not divided into districts. It is formed only of the city of Basel and two municipalities.

Canton of Basel-Country

Canton of Schaffhausen

The Canton of Schaffhausen used to be divided into 6 districts (Bezirke) until July 1999, but the municipality is now the next lower unit of government.

Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Canton Appenzell Ausserrhoden is not divided into districts any longer, and so the municipality is the next lower unit of government. Former districts were: Hinterland with capital Herisau, Mittelland with capital Teufen, Vorderland with capital Heiden.

See: Municipalities of the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden

Canton of St. Gallen

The canton used to be subdivided into 14 districts (Bezirke) until 2003 January 1, when it was reorganised into 8 constituencies (Wahlkreise). See Canton of St. Gallen#Constituencies and municipalities.

Canton of Graubünden

Canton of Aargau

Canton of Thurgau

Canton of Ticino

Canton of Vaud

Canton of Valais

Canton of Neuchâtel

Canton of Geneva

The Canton of Geneva is not divided into districts, and so the muncipility is the next level of government. See: Municipalities of the canton of Geneva.

Canton of Jura