# Foreign relations of Switzerland

The foreign relations of Switzerland are the primary responsibility of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Some international relations of Switzerland are handled by other departments of the federal administration of Switzerland.

## History

Article 54 of the Swiss Constitution of 1999 declares the safeguarding of Switzerland's independence and welfare as the principal objective of Swiss foreign policy. Below this overarching goal, the Constitution specifies these foreign policy objectives:
* alleviate need and poverty in the world;
* promote respect for human rights and democracy;
* promote the peaceful coexistence of peoples;
* promote preservation of natural resources.
These objectives reflect the Swiss moral obligation to undertake social, economic, and humanitarian activities that contribute to world peace and prosperity. This is manifested by Swiss bilateral and multilateral diplomatic activity, assistance to developing countries, and support for the extension of international law, particularly humanitarian law.
Traditionally, Switzerland has avoided alliances that might entail military, political, or direct economic action. Only in recent years have the Swiss broadened the scope of activities in which they feel able to participate without compromising their neutrality. Switzerland is not a member of the European Union and joined the United Nations very late compared to its European neighbours.
Switzerland maintains diplomatic relations with almost all countries and historically has served as a neutral intermediary and host to major international treaty conferences. The country has no major dispute in its bilateral relations.
Switzerland (mainly Geneva) is home to many international governmental and nongovernmental organisations, including the International Olympic Committee, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the European Broadcasting Union. One of the first international organisations, the Universal Postal Union, is located in Bern.

### United Nations

Switzerland, fearing that its status as a neutral country would be damaged, did not join the United Nations when it was created in 1945. On 10 September 2002, Switzerland became a full member of the United Nations, after a referendum supporting full membership won in a close vote six months earlier; Swiss voters had rejected membership by a 3-to-1 margin in 1986. The 2002 vote made Switzerland the first and only country to join based on a popular vote. Conversely, on 17 May 1992, Swiss voters approved by a healthy margin (55 percent in favour) the decision to join the IMF and the World Bank. Less than two weeks later, but a full two years after the initial application, Switzerland finally became a member of the IMF on 29 May of that same year.
Prior to its formal accession to the United Nations, Switzerland had maintained an observer role at the UN's General Assembly and its Economic and Social Council. Prior to full membership it had no right to a seat as one of the elected members of the UN Security Council. Switzerland was elected as a member of the United Nations Security Council for the period 2023–2024 on 9 June 2022. Switzerland says it intends to play its role as a "bridge builder". Other stated priorities are peace building, supporting women into the political process, minorities rights and human rights and more transparency from the Security Council.
Switzerland has fully participated within many of the UN's specialised institutions, including the Economic Commission for Europe, United Nations Environment Programme, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UN Conference on Trade and Development, UN Industrial Development Organization, and the Universal Postal Union. Switzerland has also furnished military observers and medical teams to several UN operations.
Switzerland is a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice.

#### Support of UN sanctions

The Swiss government on 25 June 2003, eased most of the sanctions against the Republic of Iraq in accord with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1483. The government lifted the trade embargo, flight restrictions, and financial sanctions in place since August 1990. The weapons embargo and the asset freeze, the scope of which was extended, remain in force, and restrictions on the trade in Iraqi cultural goods were newly imposed. Though not a member at the time, Switzerland had joined UN sanctions against Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait.
Switzerland also has joined UN economic sanctions imposed on Libya, Sierra Leone, UNITA (Angola), Liberia, and Serbia/Montenegro. On 15 October 2003, the Federal Council ended the import restrictions on raw diamonds from Sierra Leone and lifted sanctions against Libya.
Switzerland in October 2000 implemented an ordinance to enforce UN sanctions against the Taliban (UNSCR 1267), which it subsequently amended in April 2001 in accord with tighter UN regulations (UNSCR 1333). On 2 May 2002, the Swiss Government eased the sanctions regime in accord with UNSCR 1388 and 1390, lifting the ban on the sale of acetic acid (used in drug production), Afghan airlines, and Afghan diplomatic representations. The weapons embargo, travel restrictions, and financial sanctions remain in force.
The Swiss Government in November 2001 issued an ordinance declaring illegal the terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda as well as possible successor or supporting organisations. More than 200 individuals or companies linked to international terrorism have been blacklisted to have their assets frozen. Thus far, Swiss authorities have blocked about 72 accounts totalling U.S.$22.6 million.
Switzerland is a member of many international organizations, including the World Trade Organization, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, European Free Trade Association, Council of Europe, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, International Atomic Energy Agency, and International Telecommunications Satellite Organization. Its central bank is a member of the Bank for International Settlements, based in Basel.
Switzerland is an active participant in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, its foreign minister serving as Chairman-in-Office for 1996. Switzerland also is an active participant in the major nonproliferation and export control regimes.
Although it is surrounded by member nations, Switzerland is not a member nation of the European Union. In 1992 Swiss voters approved membership in the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, but later that year rejected the European Economic Area agreement, which the government viewed as a first step toward European Union membership. The Swiss instead take part in the European single market and Schengen through bilateral treaties.

### Participation in peacekeeping

While the Swiss electorate did reject a government proposition to directly deploy Swiss troops as UN peacekeepers (the Blue Helmets) in 1994, a total of 23 Swiss personnel including police and military observers (the Blue Berets) have served or are now serving for the United Nations. These dispositions are impartial, clearly defined and cover a number of UN projects around the globe.
In 1996 Switzerland joined NATO's Partnership for Peace, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997, and deployed Yellow Berets to support the OSCE in Bosnia. In June 2001, Swiss voters approved new legislation providing for the deployment of armed Swiss troops for international peacekeeping missions under UN or OSCE auspices as well as closer international cooperation in military training.
Since 1999, the Swiss army is participating through SWISSCOY in the peace keeping mission of the Kosovo Force (KFOR) based on UN-resolution 1244, with prolonged presence until 2014, after approval by the Swiss federal assembly in Spring 2011. Main duties include the supervision of civilian reconstruction efforts, monitoring and protection of patrimonial sites, military police and medical assistance.

### Representation of foreign entities and in foreign disputes

Under a series of treaties concluded after the First World War, Switzerland assumed responsibility for the diplomatic and consular representation of Liechtenstein, the protection of its borders, and the regulation of its customs.
Due to its long-standing neutrality, Switzerland has served as the protecting power for many countries, that did not have diplomatic relations with each other. This reached an apex during the Second World War, when Switzerland formally undertook 219 mandates for 35 states, and represented another eight states unofficially. After the Second World War, Switzerland served an additional 67 mandates for various countries, including those between Cuba and other nations in the Western Hemisphere after the 1959 Cuban Revolution, between Middle Eastern nations following the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, and between India and Pakistan prior to the formalization of relations in 1976.
Switzerland also represented Cuba in the United States between 1991 and 2015.
Today, Switzerland has seven protecting power mandates:
* United States interests in both Cuba (until 2015) and Iran
* Cuban interest in the United States (until 2015)
* Iranian interests in both Canada and Egypt
* Saudi Arabian and Iranian interests with each other (Iran and Saudi Arabia have direct diplomatic relations since August 2023)
* Georgian and Russian interests with each other
Switzerland played a key role in brokering a truce agreement between the Sudanese Government and Sudan People's Liberation Army for the Nuba Mountains region, signed after a week's negotiations taking place near Lucerne in January 2002. Switzerland has also sent services to allied troops in the War in Afghanistan.
Switzerland is also playing a major role in Palestinian politics, trying to act as a mediator between Fatah and Hamas regarding the integration of employees in Gaza. The Swiss diplomatic efforts lead to an agreement called "the Swiss Document" which initially was approved by both Palestinian parties.
Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Switzerland decided to adopt all EU sanctions against Russia. According to the Swiss President Ignazio Cassis, the measures were "unprecedented but consistent with Swiss neutrality". The administration also confirmed that Switzerland would continue to offer its services to find a peaceful solution in the conflict. Switzerland only participates in humanitarian missions and provides relief supplies to the Ukrainian population and neighbouring countries. In August 2022, Russia rejected a proposed Swiss mandate to represent Ukrainian interests in Russia, considering that Switzerland had lost its neutral status.
On 18 April 2023, Federal Councilor Alain Berset paid an official visit to Berlin, Germany at the invitation of Chancellor Olaf Scholz. At the center of the discussions was the refusal by Switzerland to allow the re-exporting of ammunition and arms to the crisis region in Ukraine. While the talks took place in a friendly atmosphere, Alain Berset insisted on the traditional application of Swiss neutrality towards the sale of military hardware to Germany for use in that conflict. A number of parliamentary efforts by Swiss lawmakers to allow such sales were already rejected previously.
On 1 May 2023, Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef made an official visit to the Swiss Confederation, meeting with Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Helene Budliger Artieda, and Chairwoman of the Board at Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV), Barbara Hayoz. The talks were mainly addressing export cooperation between the two nations, and the Saudi minister also held a talk at the meeting of the World Economic Forum in January 2023. Switzerland also represented Saudi interests in Iran before diplomatic relations were restored in April 2023. Even though the country has a policy of neutrality, Its parliament voted in December 2024 to outlaw both Hamas and Hezbollah.

## Diplomatic representations

* Diplomatic representations of Switzerland: Official list
* Diplomatic representations in Switzerland: Official list

## Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Switzerland maintains diplomatic relations with:
Date :
| 1 | France | 29 November 1516 |
| — | Holy See | 1553 |
| 2 | Netherlands | 31 January 1814 |
| 3 | Russia | 6 March 1814 |
| 4 | Belgium | 30 September 1845 |
| 5 | United States | 29 June 1853 |
| 6 | Brazil | 1855 |
| 7 | Italy | 12 February 1860 |
| 8 | Japan | 6 February 1864 |
| 9 | Portugal | 5 November 1872 |
| 10 | Denmark | 10 February 1875 |
| 11 | Venezuela | 10 April 1878 |
| 12 | Dominican Republic | 28 June 1882 |
| 13 | Mexico | 31 December 1882 |
| 14 | Ecuador | 1888 |
| 15 | Argentina | 12 September 1891 |
| 16 | United Kingdom | 1891 |
| 17 | Paraguay | 27 June 1892 |
| 18 | Uruguay | 6 April 1893 |
| 19 | Peru | 7 March 1893 |
| 20 | Cuba | 18 June 1902 |
| 21 | Panama | 6 April 1904 |
| 22 | Norway | 22 January 1906 |
| 23 | Guatemala | 14 December 1906 |
| 24 | Colombia | 14 March 1908 |
| 25 | Romania | 9 May 1911 |
| 26 | Sweden | 3 September 1915 |
| 27 | Bulgaria | 31 October 1915 |
| 28 | Greece | 8 October 1917 |
| 29 | Luxembourg | 24 November 1917 |
| 30 | Chile | 31 May 1918 |
| 31 | Serbia | 1 November 1918 |
| 32 | Hungary | February 1919 |
| 33 | Iran | 4 March 1919 |
| 34 | Poland | 12 March 1919 |
| 35 | Liechtenstein | March 1919 |
| 36 | Czech Republic | 30 April 1919 |
| 37 | Turkey | 23 March 1925 |
| 38 | Austria | 18 April 1925 |
| 39 | Finland | 29 January 1926 |
| 40 | Afghanistan | 20 April 1928 |
| 41 | Thailand | 28 May 1931 |
| 42 | Egypt | 11 March 1935 |
| 43 | Spain | 14 February 1939 |
| 44 | Ireland | 16 October 1939 |
| 45 | Haiti | 29 September 1941 |
| 46 | Canada | 24 June 1945 |
| 47 | Bolivia | 15 February 1946 |
| 48 | Lebanon | 27 February 1946 |
| 49 | Iraq | 1 May 1946 |
| 50 | Iceland | 15 July 1947 |
| 51 | Syria | 2 October 1947 |
| 52 | India | 14 August 1948 |
| 53 | Jordan | 26 March 1949 |
| 54 | Pakistan | 13 May 1949 |
| 55 | China | 17 January 1950 |
| 56 | Israel | 29 June 1951 |
| 57 | Indonesia | 2 November 1951 |
| 58 | South Africa | 11 March 1952 |
| 59 | Ethiopia | 2 May 1952 |
| 60 | Germany | 6 May 1952 |
| 61 | Myanmar | 19 September 1956 |
| 62 | Sri Lanka | 5 October 1956 |
| 63 | Tunisia | 30 October 1956 |
| 64 | Nepal | 9 November 1956 |
| 65 | Morocco | 28 November 1956 |
| 66 | Saudi Arabia | 29 November 1956 |
| 67 | Costa Rica | 18 June 1957 |
| 68 | Honduras | 12 August 1957 |
| 69 | Philippines | 30 August 1957 |
| 70 | Laos | 3 September 1957 |
| 71 | Nicaragua | 30 October 1958 |
| 72 | Monaco | 27 May 1959 |
| 73 | Somalia | 5 July 1960 |
| 74 | Ghana | 19 July 1960 |
| 75 | Guinea | 19 July 1960 |
| 76 | Liberia | 19 July 1960 |
| 77 | Togo | 19 July 1960 |
| 78 | El Salvador | 22 August 1960 |
| 79 | Nigeria | 1 October 1960 |
| 80 | Sudan | 27 December 1960 |
| 81 | Mali | 26 May 1961 |
| 82 | Mauritania | 26 May 1961 |
| 83 | Niger | 26 May 1961 |
| 84 | Senegal | 26 May 1961 |
| 85 | Ivory Coast | 1 June 1961 |
| 86 | Australia | 3 June 1961 |
| 87 | Madagascar | 13 June 1961 |
| 88 | Libya | 5 September 1961 |
| 89 | Burkina Faso | 17 October 1961 |
| 90 | Cameroon | 9 November 1961 |
| 91 | Benin | 21 November 1961 |
| 96 | Sierra Leone | 25 May 1962 |
| 92 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 12 October 1962 |
| 93 | Algeria | 13 November 1962 |
| 94 | New Zealand | 4 December 1962 |
| 95 | Jamaica | 12 December 1962 |
| 97 | Malaysia | 3 January 1963 |
| 98 | South Korea | 11 February 1963 |
| 99 | Trinidad and Tobago | 12 July 1963 |
| 100 | Rwanda | 12 November 1963 |
| 101 | Cyprus | 3 December 1963 |
| 102 | Chad | 16 December 1963 |
| 103 | Burundi | 13 January 1964 |
| 104 | Central African Republic | 11 February 1964 |
| 105 | Gabon | 11 February 1964 |
| 106 | Kenya | 28 February 1964 |
| 107 | Uganda | 1 March 1964 |
| 108 | Republic of the Congo | 21 April 1964 |
| 109 | Tanzania | 26 April 1964 |
| 110 | Mongolia | 22 May 1964 |
| 111 | Malta | 25 March 1966 |
| 112 | Gambia | 30 March 1966 |
| 113 | Zambia | 10 June 1966 |
| 114 | Malawi | 19 May 1966 |
| 115 | Kuwait | 21 September 1966 |
| 116 | Cambodia | 9 October 1967 |
| 117 | Singapore | 11 October 1967 |
| 118 | Botswana | 22 August 1967 |
| 119 | Lesotho | 22 August 1967 |
| 120 | Equatorial Guinea | 4 November 1968 |
| 121 | Mauritius | 11 March 1969 |
| 122 | Eswatini | 6 August 1969 |
| 123 | Albania | 20 July 1970 |
| 124 | Vietnam | 11 October 1971 |
| 125 | Yemen | 23 February 1972 |
| 126 | Bangladesh | 14 June 1972 |
| 127 | Bahrain | 12 September 1973 |
| 128 | Oman | 12 September 1973 |
| 129 | Qatar | 12 September 1973 |
| 130 | United Arab Emirates | 12 September 1973 |
| 131 | Bahamas | 5 June 1974 |
| 132 | North Korea | 20 December 1974 |
| 133 | Mozambique | 12 April 1976 |
| 134 | Papua New Guinea | 2 June 1976 |
| 135 | Angola | 30 September 1976 |
| 136 | Comoros | 1 March 1977 |
| 137 | Guyana | 24 May 1977 |
| 138 | Suriname | 11 July 1979 |
| 139 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 1979 |
| 140 | Barbados | 4 March 1980 |
| 141 | Cape Verde | 25 June 1980 |
| 142 | Zimbabwe | 2 July 1980 |
| 143 | Seychelles | 10 March 1981 |
| 144 | Maldives | 23 June 1981 |
| 145 | Samoa | 1 August 1981 |
| 146 | Grenada | 1981 |
| 147 | Vanuatu | 5 May 1982 |
| 148 | Djibouti | 23 December 1982 |
| 149 | Guinea-Bissau | 22 February 1983 |
| 150 | Antigua and Barbuda | 14 December 1983 |
| 151 | Brunei | November 1984 |
| 152 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 28 February 1985 |
| 153 | Tonga | 13 September 1985 |
| 154 | Bhutan | 16 September 1985 |
| 155 | Belize | July 1989 |
| 156 | Fiji | 1989 |
| 157 | Namibia | 22 April 1990 |
| 158 | Estonia | 4 September 1991 |
| 159 | Latvia | 5 September 1991 |
| 160 | Lithuania | 5 September 1991 |
| 161 | Azerbaijan | 21 January 1992 |
| 162 | Croatia | 30 January 1992 |
| 163 | Slovenia | 31 January 1992 |
| 164 | Ukraine | 6 February 1992 |
| 165 | Belarus | 10 February 1992 |
| 166 | Kyrgyzstan | 14 February 1992 |
| 167 | Armenia | 30 April 1992 |
| 168 | Uzbekistan | 7 May 1992 |
| 169 | Kazakhstan | 1 June 1992 |
| 170 | Georgia | 10 June 1992 |
| 171 | Turkmenistan | 13 July 1992 |
| 172 | Moldova | 2 September 1992 |
| 173 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 17 November 1992 |
| 174 | Tajikistan | 9 December 1992 |
| 175 | Slovakia | 1 January 1993 |
| 176 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 February 1993 |
| 177 | North Macedonia | 31 December 1993 |
| 178 | Eritrea | 22 March 1994 |
| 179 | San Marino | 10 July 1995 |
| 180 | Andorra | 6 September 1995 |
| 181 | Palau | 31 August 2001 |
| 182 | Timor-Leste | 16 September 2002 |
| 183 | Marshall Islands | 22 January 2003 |
| 184 | Federated States of Micronesia | 22 April 2003 |
| 185 | Nauru | 2003 |
| 186 | Kiribati | 1 June 2004 |
| 187 | Tuvalu | 4 November 2005 |
| 188 | Dominica | 2005 |
| 189 | Saint Lucia | 10 June 2006 |
| 190 | Montenegro | 5 July 2006 |
| 191 | Solomon Islands | 20 December 2007 |
| — | Kosovo | 28 March 2008 |
| — | Cook Islands | 7 March 2011 |
| 192 | South Sudan | 23 May 2012 |
| — | Niue | 9 August 2023 |

### Multilateral

| Organization | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
| European Union | 1972 | See Switzerland–European Union relations Switzerland is not a member of the European Union. |
| NATO | | See Switzerland–NATO relations Switzerland is not a member of NATO. Switzerland joined the NATO Partnership for Peace on 11 December 1996. |

## Bilateral relations
### Africa

| Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
| Algeria | 13 November 1962 | Algeria has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Algiers. |
| Angola | 30 September 1976 | Angola has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Luanda. |
| Chad | 16 December 1963 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 December 1963 when appointed first Ambassador of Switzerland to Chad (resident in Lagos) Mr. Giovanni Enrico Bucher Chad has an embassy in Geneva. Switzerland has a Cooperation Office in N'Djamena. |
| Egypt | 11 March 1935 | See Egypt–Switzerland relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 March 1935 when Mr. Henri Martin, first Minister of Switzerland to Egypt, presented his letters of credentials. Egypt has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Cairo. |
| Ethiopia | 2 May 1952 | Ethiopia has an embassy in Geneva. Switzerland has an embassy in Addis Ababa. |
| Kenya | 28 February 1964 | See Kenya–Switzerland relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 February 1964 when appointed first Ambassador of Switzerland to Kenya (resident in Addis Ababa) Mr. Roger Dürr Kenya has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Nairobi. |
| Madagascar | 13 June 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 June 1961. Madagascar has an embassy in Geneva. Switzerland has an embassy in Antananarivo. |
| Nigeria | 1 October 1960 | Nigeria has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Abuja and a consulate-general in Lagos. |
| Senegal | 26 May 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 May 1961. Senegal has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Dakar. |
| South Africa | 11 March 1952 | See South Africa–Switzerland relations South Africa has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Pretoria and a general consulate in Cape Town. South African Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Switzerland Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with South Africa |

### Americas

| Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
| Argentina | 12 September 1891 | See Argentina–Switzerland relations Argentina has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Buenos Aires. List of Treaties ruling relations Argentina and Switzerland (Argentine Foreign Ministry, in Spanish) Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Argentina |
| Brazil | | Brazil has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Brasília and consulates-general in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. |
| Canada | 1945 | See Canada–Switzerland relations Canada has an embassy in Bern and a consulate in Geneva. Switzerland has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. |
| Chile | | Chile has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Santiago. |
| Colombia | | See Colombia–Switzerland relations Colombia has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Bogotá. |
| Cuba | 18 June 1902 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 June 1902. Embassy of Switzerland in Havana Cuba has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Havana. |
| Dominican Republic | 1936 | See Dominican Republic-Switzerland relations Dominican Republic has an embassy in Bern and a consulate in Zürich Switzerland has an embassy in Santo Domingo The DR is home to the largest Swiss community in the Caribbean |
| Mexico | 1827 | See Mexico–Switzerland relations Mexico has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Mexico City. Both countries are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. |
| Nicaragua | 1956 | Nicaragua has an embassy in Geneva. Switzerland is accredited to Nicaragua from its embassy in San José, Costa Rica and maintains an honorary consulate in Managua. Relations with Nicaragua and Switzerland focus on development cooperation, humanitarian aid and trade. |
| Peru | | Main article: Peru–Switzerland relations Peru has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Lima |
| United States | 1853 | See Switzerland–United States relations The first official U.S.–Swiss consular relations were established in the late 1820s. Diplomatic relations were established in 1853 by the U.S. and in 1868 by Switzerland. The U.S. ambassador to Switzerland is also accredited to the Principality of Liechtenstein. Switzerland has an embassy in Washington, D.C., and consulates-general in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco. United States has an embassy in Bern and maintains consular agencies in Geneva and Zürich. |
| Uruguay | 1828 | See Switzerland–Uruguay relations Both countries share a long history of mutual economic relations, and they established diplomatic relations in 1828. Uruguay became a popular destination for Swiss migrants starting in the 1860s. In 1931 Uruguay called for a Swiss style parliamentary system. In the twentieth century, Uruguay has looked to Switzerland as a model for government, historical and cultural ties go back to at least the nineteenth century. There are 956 people with Swiss passports residing in Uruguay in 2009. Uruguay was described as the "Switzerland of the Americas" in a 1951 The New York Times article for its popularity as a haven for capital fleeing Europe at the time and its adoption of Swiss-inspired banking laws. Thomas J. Knight also wrote that "Uruguay has for most of its history been the 'Switzerland' of South America." Switzerland has an embassy in Montevideo. Uruguay has an embassy in Bern. |

### Asia

| Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
| Armenia | | See Armenia–Switzerland relations Switzerland recognized Armenia as an independent state on 23 December 1991. The two countries have maintained diplomatic relations ever since. Armenia has an embassy in Geneva. Switzerland has an embassy in Yerevan. |
| Azerbaijan | 21 January 1992 | See Azerbaijan–Switzerland relations Azerbaijan has an embassy in Bern Switzerland has an embassy in Baku. |
| China | | See China–Switzerland relations China has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Beijing and consulates-general in Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai. |
| Georgia | | Georgia has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Tbilisi. |
| India | 1948 | See India–Switzerland relations India has an embassy in Bern and consulates in Geneva and Zürich. Switzerland has an embassy in New Delhi and a consulate in Bangalore and Mumbai. India is one of Switzerland's most important partners in Asia. Bilateral and political contacts are constantly developing, and trade and scientific cooperation between the two countries are flourishing. Switzerland was the first country in the World to sign a Friendship treaty with India in 1947. |
| Indonesia | 2 November 1951 | See Indonesia–Switzerland relations In 2010, the heads of state of the two countries agreed to launch negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Switzerland has named Indonesia as one of seven priority countries for economic development co-operation. Indonesia has an embassy in Bern, while Switzerland has an embassy in Jakarta, also accredited for East Timor and ASEAN. On 6 December 1973, the Indonesian and Swiss governments signed an agreement to establish Polytechnic for Mechanics within the Bandung Institute of Technology at Bandung. Today, the Swiss Mechanics Polytechnic has transformed into Bandung State Polytechnic for Manufacture. |
| Iran | 4 March 1919 | See Iran–Switzerland relations Iran has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Tehran. |
| Iraq | 1 May 1946 | See Iraq–Switzerland relations In November 2000 Switzerland opened a diplomatic liaison office in Baghdad to safeguard its interests. Bilateral relations became closer after the Iraq War in 2003. Iraq has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland is accredited to Iraq from its embassy in Amman, Jordan. |
| Israel | | See Israel–Switzerland relations Switzerland recognized Israel on 25 January 1949 and opened a consulate in Tel Aviv. Israel has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Tel Aviv and an honorary consulate in Eilat. See also History of the Jews in Switzerland Israeli embassy in Bern (in French, German and Italian only) Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Israel |
| Japan | 6 February 1864 | Japan has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Tokyo. |
| Kazakhstan | | Kazakhstan has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Astana. |
| Lebanon | | Lebanon has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Beirut. |
| Malaysia | 1963 | See Malaysia–Switzerland relations Malaysia has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur. |
| North Korea | December 1974 | See North Korea–Switzerland relations North Korea has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland is accredited to North Korea from its embassy in Beijing, China. |
| Northern Cyprus | | Northern Cyprus has a Representative Office in Geneva. |
| Pakistan | | Switzerland recognised Pakistan's independence from Great Britain in 1947, and the two states established diplomatic relations in 1949. Switzerland ranks fifth in terms of foreign direct investment in Pakistan. Pakistan has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Islamabad and a consulate-general in Karachi. |
| Palestine | | See Palestine–Switzerland relations Switzerland has a representative office in Ramallah. Palestine has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has a representative office in Ramallah. |
| Philippines | 1957 | Bilateral ties between the Philippines and Switzerland dates back to the early 19th century when Swiss traders, missionaries and travelers went to Southeast Asia. A Swiss representation in the Philippines was proposed in 1851, which was realized with the opening of a Swiss honorary consulate in Manila in 1862. Formal relations was established between the two countries on 30 August 1957. Philippines has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Manila. |
| Saudi Arabia | 12 July 1956 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 July 1956. Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Bern and a consulate-general in Geneva. Switzerland has an embassy in Riyadh. |
| Singapore | | Singapore is accredited to Switzerland from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs based in Singapore. Switzerland has an embassy in Singapore. Bilateral relations Switzerland–Singapore |
| South Korea | 11 February 1963 | See South Korea–Switzerland relations The establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and the Switzerland began on 11 February 1963. South Korea and Switzerland have had a close relationship since the Korean War. South Korea has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Seoul. Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs about the relation with the Republic of Korea (in German only) the MOFA of the Republic of Korea about the relation with Swiss Confederation (in Korean only) |
| Sri Lanka | 7 November 1956 | See Sri Lanka-Switzerland relations Sri Lanka has an embassy in Bern,Switzerland. Switzerland has an embassy in Colombo. |
| Thailand | 28 May 1931 | See Foreign relations of Thailand Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 May 1931. Thailand has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Bangkok. |
| Turkey | | See Switzerland–Turkey relations Switzerland has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul. Turkey has an embassy in Bern and consulates-general in Geneva and Zürich. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe. |
| United Arab Emirates | 12 September 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 September 1973. UAE has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. |
| Vietnam | 11 October 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 October 1971. Both countries are full members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. Switzerland has an embassy in Hanoi and a consulate-general in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam has an embassy in Bern. |

### Europe

| Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
| Albania | 20 July 1970 | Albania has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Tirana. See Albanians in Switzerland |
| Austria | 1687 | See Austria–Switzerland relations Austria has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Vienna. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe. |
| Belarus | 1992 | Switzerland recognized Belarus on 23 December 1991. Belarus has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Minsk. Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Belarus |
| Belgium | 30 September 1845 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 September 1845 when Constantin Rodenbach has been appointed as first Belgian Charge d'Affaires to Switzerland. Belgium has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Brussels. |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | | Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Sarajevo. |
| Bulgaria | 1905 | Switzerland recognized Bulgaria on 28 November 1879. Bulgaria has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Sofia. Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Bulgaria |
| Croatia | | Croatia has an embassy in Bern a general consulate in Zürich and 2 honorary consulates in Lugano and Massagno. Switzerland has an embassy in Zagreb a consulate in Split and honorary consulate in Smoljanci. More than 45,000 Croats live in Switzerland. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties signed with Switzerland Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Croatia |
| Cyprus | | Cyprus is accredited to Switzerland from its embassy in Rome, Italy. Switzerland has an embassy in Nicosia. |
| Czech Republic | | Czech Republic has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Prague. |
| Denmark | 1875 | See Denmark–Switzerland relations Denmark has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Copenhagen. |
| Estonia | | Estonia is accredited to Switzerland from its embassy in Vienna, Austria. Switzerland is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Riga, Latvia. |
| Finland | | Finland has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Helsinki. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe. |
| France | April 1521 | See France–Switzerland relations France has an embassy in Bern and consulates-general in Geneva and Zürich. Switzerland has an embassy in Paris, at the Hôtel de Besenval, and consulates-general in Lyon, Marseille and Strasbourg. |
| Germany | 1871 | See Germany–Switzerland relations Germany has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Berlin and consulates-general in Frankfurt, Munich and Stuttgart. |
| Greece | 8 October 1917 | See Greece–Switzerland relations Greece has an embassy in Bern and consulates-general in Geneva. Switzerland has an embassy in Athens. |
| Hungary | | Hungary has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Budapest. |
| Ireland | | Ireland has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Dublin. |
| Italy | 12 February 1860 | See Italy–Switzerland relations Italy has an embassy in Bern and consulates-general in Geneva, Lugano and Zürich and a consulate in Basel. Switzerland has an embassy in Rome and a consulate-general in Milan. |
| Kosovo | | See Kosovo–Switzerland relations Switzerland recognized Kosovo on 27 February 2008. Switzerland has an embassy in Pristina since 28 March 2008. Kosovo will open an embassy in Bern. In September 2008, Swiss authorities initially expressed reservation for Designate Ambassador Naim Mala due to his double nationality but latter accepted him. Switzerland currently has 212 troops serving in Kosovo as peacekeepers in the NATO led Kosovo Force. |
| Liechtenstein | | See Liechtenstein–Switzerland relations Liechtenstein has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland is accredited to Liechtenstein from its Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Bern and maintains an honorary consulate in Vaduz. |
| Moldova | 2 September 1992 | See Moldova–Switzerland relations Moldova has an embassy in Geneva. Switzerland is accredited to Moldova from its embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine and maintains an honorary consulate in Chişinău. Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration about relations with Switzerland Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Switzerland Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Moldova |
| Netherlands | | Netherlands has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in The Hague. |
| Norway | | Norway has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Oslo. |
| Poland | | Poland has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Warsaw. |
| Portugal | | Portugal has an embassy in Bern and consulates-general in Geneva and Zürich and consular offices in Lugano and Sion. Switzerland has an embassy in Lisbon and a consulate in Porto. |
| Romania | | See Romania–Switzerland relations Since the 1990s, Switzerland has helped Romania financially, for a total sum of 140 million Swiss Francs between 1996 and 2006, and an additional 23 million Francs in 2006–2007. Switzerland has become the 12th largest foreign investor in Romania. In 2005, Romania exported goods to Switzerland for a total of 206 million Swiss Francs, with Switzerland exporting for 547 million Swiss Francs to Romania, making Romania the biggest partner of Switzerland in South-West Europe. By 2006, this had increased by 26% from Romania and 38% from Switzerland. Romania has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Bucharest. |
| Russia | 1816 | See Russia–Switzerland relations Switzerland opened a consulate in Saint Petersburg in 1816, upgrading it to a legation 90 years later. The two countries broke off diplomatic relations in 1923, when Russia was going through a period of revolutionary turmoil – and they were not resumed until 1946. Russia has an embassy in Bern and a consulate-general in Geneva. Switzerland has an embassy in Moscow and a consulate-general in Saint Petersburg. |
| Serbia | 1916 | See Serbia–Switzerland relations Serbia has an embassy in Bern and consulates-gernal in Geneva and Zürich. Switzerland has an embassy in Belgrade. There are around 186,000 people of Serbian descent living in Switzerland. The Serbs are the fourth largest foreign population in Switzerland. Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Switzerland Archived 11 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Serbia |
| Slovakia | | Slovakia has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Bratislava. |
| Slovenia | | Slovenia has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Ljubljana. |
| Spain | | See Spain–Switzerland relations Spain has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Madrid. |
| Sweden | | Sweden has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Stockholm. |
| Ukraine | 1991 | See Switzerland–Ukraine relations Switzerland has an embassy in Kyiv. Ukraine has an embassy in Bern. Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Ukraine |
| United Kingdom | 1891 | See Switzerland–United Kingdom relations |
| Switzerland | 1891 | See Switzerland–United Kingdom relations Switzerland established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom in 1891. Switzerland maintains an embassy in London, an honorary consulate general in Edniburgh, and honory consulates in Belfast, Bermuda, Cardiff, the Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, and Manchester. The United Kingdom is accredited to Switzerland through its embassy in Bern. Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, European Court of Human Rights, the International Criminal Court, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have the Berne Financial Services Agreement, a Double Taxation Convention, and a Trade Agreement. The two countries are currently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement. |

### Oceania

| Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
| Australia | 1961 | See Australia–Switzerland relations Switzerland opened a consulate in Sydney in 1855 and one in Melbourne in 1856. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1961. Australia has an embassy in Bern and a consulate-general in Geneva. Switzerland has an embassy in Canberra and a consulate-general in Sydney. Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade about relations with Switzerland Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Australia |
| New Zealand | 1963 | Switzerland opened a consulate in Auckland in 1912. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1963. New Zealand is accredited to Switzerland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany and maintains a consulate-general in Geneva. Switzerland has an embassy in Wellington. New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade about relations with Switzerland Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with New Zealand |