Switzerland and Peru enjoy friendly relations, which are maintained through regular political consultations. Peru is a priority country for Switzerland in the area of economic cooperation and development.

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

Political relations between Switzerland and Peru are strong. The intensification of bilateral trade, cultural and judicial cooperation, issues relating to business and human rights, and Switzerland's contribution to the promotion of economic development and to climate change adaptation are the thematic priorities of the two country's relations.

Switzerland and Peru have agreements in the areas of free trade, investment protection, double taxation, air transport, mutual legal assistance and the protection of cultural property.

Treaty database

Government of Peru (es)

Economic cooperation

Switzerland imported goods worth CHF 2.3 billion from Peru in 2019. Gold was the most traded item, accounting for more than 90% of imports. In 2019 Switzerland exported goods – primarily machinery, pharmaceutical products and watches – worth CHF 171 million to Peru. Swiss direct investments in Peru amounted to CHF 27 million at the end of 2018. Swiss companies in Peru employed around 7,500 people in 2018.

Information on countries, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise

Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Peru

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

Researchers from Peru can apply to the State Secretariat for Education Research and Innovation (SERI) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. Under a mandate conferred by SERI, the University of St Gallen is currently coordinating research cooperation initiatives between Switzerland and Latin America.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI

Leading House for the Latin American Region, HSG

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid

Peru has been one of SECO's priority countries for economic cooperation and development since 2009. The budget for the 2017–20 period is approximately CHF 70 million. Peru is also part of the SDC's Andean programme on climate change, natural disasters and sustainable water management. This programme is investing a total of some CHF 40 million in the Andean region during 2017–20.

Peru, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

Mitigation Action Plans and Scenarios Programme

Cultural exchange

Peru is a priority country for cooperation with the Federal Office of Culture. Switzerland and Peru have jointly financed several projects in the cultural field. For example, the Rietberg museum in Zurich exhibited artefacts from the Nasca civilisation in 2017/18.

Museum Rietberg, Nasca exhibition

Swiss nationals in Peru

According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, there were 3,053 Swiss citizens living in Peru at the end of 2019.

History of bilateral relations

A Swiss consulate opened in Lima in 1884 and was upgraded to a consulate general in 1931. A diplomatic representation has existed since 1946. In 1964, Switzerland launched one of its first technical cooperation programmes in the Peruvian Andes. There has been a Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Peru since 1979. Following a severe economic crisis at the beginning of the 1990s, Switzerland cancelled Peru’s debt.

Peru, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)

Diplomatic Documents of Switzerland, Dodis