Political relations between Switzerland and Latvia have traditionally been good. Several congresses which led up to Latvia's first declaration of independence were held in Switzerland. In addition, in the first few years following independence, Latvia received Swiss support as part of its programme of cooperation with Eastern Europe. Latvia is also one of the beneficiary countries of the second Swiss contribution.
Switzerland and Latvia maintain good diplomatic relations, and bilateral contact has intensified in recent years. One of the priorities of the bilateral relations has been the close cooperation in the framework of the Swiss contribution programme.
Economic relations between the two countries are on an upward trend. In 2023, the volume of trade between Switzerland and Latvia amounted to approx. CHF 254 million in 2023.
Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise
Swiss-Baltic Chamber of Commerce (de)
In the area of research and innovation, cooperation mainly takes place within the context of European framework programmes.
Researchers and artists from Latvia can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI
Latvia is one of the countries to have received financial support under the first and second Swiss contributions in order to reduce economic and social disparities in the EU and within the respective country. As part of the second Swiss contribution, Latvia will receive CHF 40.4 million for programmes in the fields of polluted site remediation, applied research, vocational education and training and pediatric healthcare. On 19 June 2023, the implementation agreement for the Swiss-Latvian Cooperation Programme was signed by both countries.
Within the framework of the first contribution from 2007-2017, twelve projects amounting to CHF 60 million were implemented.
During the transitional phase in the 1990s Latvia became a priority country in Switzerland’s programme of cooperation with Eastern Europe.
Second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states, Switzerland and Latvia
At the end of 2024, there were 103 Swiss citizens living in Latvia.
Statistics on the Swiss abroad
Several congresses which led up to Latvia's first declaration of independence in 1918 were held in Switzerland. In 1921 the Federal Council recognised the Latvian Republic.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were interrupted in 1940 because of the Soviet annexation. Switzerland never recognised the annexation of Latvia by the USSR. In August 1991, after Latvia’s re-proclaimed independence, diplomatic relations were re-established.
The Swiss Embassy in Riga was opened in 1992 and serves as the diplomatic representation of Switzerland in Latvia, as well as Lithuania and Estonia. The Latvian embassy in Vienna is responsible for relations with Switzerland.
Last update 16.10.2025
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