What's the difference between Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Innerrhoden?

They are two separate half-cantons that split in 1597 along confessional lines: Ausserrhoden is historically Reformed/Protestant, Innerrhoden Catholic. Today the practical differences are administrative (Innerrhoden still has a Landsgemeinde, Ausserrhoden abolished its in 1997), economic (Ausserrhoden is larger, more populous, more commuter-oriented) and cultural (the Innerrhoden side is more traditional and more closely associated with the tourist image of Appenzell).

Can I commute to St. Gallen from Ausserrhoden?

Yes, and it's the standard pattern for many AR residents. Teufen is 12 minutes by Appenzeller Bahnen into St. Gallen HB; Speicher and Trogen are 20–25 minutes. The hillside communes above St. Gallen function essentially as suburbs with a cantonal-tax advantage.

Do I need German to live in Ausserrhoden?

Yes — the canton is German-speaking with a distinct Appenzeller dialect that's instantly recognisable across Switzerland. English use is limited outside of larger SG-based employers. Plan A2 within your first year.

Did Ausserrhoden really abolish its Landsgemeinde?

Yes — the open-air vote was discontinued in 1997 in favour of standard ballot voting. The Landsgemeinde tradition now survives in only two Swiss cantons: Appenzell Innerrhoden and Glarus.

What happened to the Appenzeller Kantonalbank?

The canton's original Ausserrhoden Kantonalbank collapsed in 1996, which is why AR does not have its own cantonal bank today — a notable exception in Switzerland. Innerrhoden's Appenzeller Kantonalbank still exists and serves AI residents.

Appenzell Ausserrhoden relocation checklist

Herisau • German • Updated August 2026

Appenzell Ausserrhoden is the Protestant half of historic Appenzell, separated from Appenzell Innerrhoden in 1597 along confessional lines. It is a small German-speaking canton (~56,000 residents) that wraps around the hills above the city of St. Gallen. Herisau is the de-facto capital and economic centre; the canton's other large communes (Teufen, Speicher, Trogen) are functionally St. Gallen commuter villages with strong views over the Alpstein. Ausserrhoden abolished its Landsgemeinde in 1997 and now votes by ballot like most cantons — a key administrative difference from Innerrhoden across the border.

Income tax (~CHF 100k)

20.5%

Rent 1BR

CHF 1’100

Health insurance

CHF 290/mo

Appenzell Ausserrhoden · free tool

See what you'd actually pay in tax in Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Tax calculator — pre-filled for Appenzell Ausserrhoden. No signup.

First 90 days in Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Build a rental dossier — Ausserrhoden is easier than ZH or SG but landlords still expect Betreibungsauszug, three payslips and references
Register at the Einwohnerkontrolle of your AR commune within 14 days (Herisau, Teufen, Speicher, Trogen, Heiden etc.)
Apply for your permit at the Migrationsamt Kanton Appenzell Ausserrhoden in Herisau
Pick a KVG insurer within 3 months — AR is below the national average
Open a Swiss bank account — Appenzeller Kantonalbank serves AI, while AR is served by Raiffeisen and other commercial banks (AR no longer has its own cantonal bank since the 1996 collapse)
Get an Ostwind regional abo (covers AR, AI, SG, TG) or a GA if you commute beyond eastern Switzerland
Above CHF 120k gross, file a regular AR tax return — the canton runs its own e-filing
If you have school-age kids, the Volksschule of your commune handles placement under Lehrplan 21

Pick your stage in Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Appenzell Ausserrhoden — Just arrived

Deadlines that start counting the day you land.

Appenzell Ausserrhoden — Moving soon

The weeks before your move — paperwork and housing.

Appenzell Ausserrhoden — Still planning

Permits, budget and canton choice before you commit.

Appenzell Ausserrhoden — With family

Schools, family reunification and partner work rights.

Appenzell Ausserrhoden — Self-employed

Company setup, AHV registration and VAT thresholds.

Appenzell Ausserrhoden — Student

Student permit, insurance exemptions and part-time work.

Taxes, housing and insurance in Appenzell Ausserrhoden

At an indicative gross salary of CHF 100,000 (single, no kids), the combined federal, cantonal and municipal income tax in Appenzell Ausserrhoden works out to roughly 20.5%. Affordable alternative to St. Gallen with lower taxes and a strong rural character. Cantonal child deductions and family allowances apply on top of the federal allowance — for an exact figure for your household, use the official cantonal calculator linked above. Your real tax bill depends on the commune (each sets its own Steuerfuss / coefficient), your civil status, Pillar 3a contributions and any BVG buy-ins.

Ausserrhoden has one of the easier rental markets in eastern Switzerland. A 1-bedroom in Herisau or Teufen is broadly in line with the cantonal averages shown above, with 3-bedroom flats scaling proportionally. The Vorderland (Heiden, Walzenhausen) above Lake Constance is the more scenic and slightly more expensive sub-region.

Adult standard premiums in canton Appenzell Ausserrhoden on the standard franchise are below the Swiss average. The canton has one premium region.

Appenzell Ausserrhoden · free tool

Calculate your net salary after Appenzell Ausserrhoden cantonal tax

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Keep reading

Appenzell Ausserrhoden is set as your canton, so checklists and tools across HowToSwiss now use its rates.

First 90 days in Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Pick your stage in Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Taxes, housing and insurance in Appenzell Ausserrhoden

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