Swiss president visits the Vatican to meet the Pope and attend swearing-in of Swiss Guard

02.05.2022 — Press release EDA
President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis will travel to the Vatican on 6 May 2022, where he will take part in the swearing-in of the new Swiss Guard and meet Pope Francis and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the secretary for relations with states. The Swiss president's visit will also be an opportunity to present the new Swiss embassy to the Holy See.

Zurich – Lugano – Milano: trip of Switzerland's President Ignazio Cassis champions sustainable innovation

29.04.2022 — Press release EDA
Today, President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis, accompanied by authorities from Zurich and Ticino, launched Innovation Day, which spotlighted the network of innovation within Switzerland and beyond its borders as part of a train trip. Pursuing the axis of Zurich, Ticino and Milan, he visited Innovation Park in Dübendorf and Tecnopolo Ticino in Manno. At the end of the trip, the president was received at House of Switzerland Milano for its inauguration. There, he had an exchange with Italy's foreign minister, Luigi di Maio, and minister for technological innovation, Vittorio Colao.

Switzerland and the UK deepen partnership

28.04.2022 — Press release EDA
On Thursday, 28 April, President Ignazio Cassis met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss in London. President Cassis was also invited to pay a courtesy visit to Queen Elizabeth II. Switzerland and the United Kingdom signed a joint declaration on the further development of their bilateral partnership and agreed to deepen cooperation in the field of science. They confirmed the launch of exploratory talks to modernise the existing trade agreement. Key topics of discussion included Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and its consequences, as well as Switzerland's and the UK's relations with the European Union.

Switzerland to represent Liechtenstein consular interests at four new locations

26.04.2022 — Press release EDA
From 1 May 2022, Switzerland will also represent the consular interests of the Principality of Liechtenstein at selected locations where Liechtenstein itself operates a representation. This is another sign of the close relations that exist between the two countries. On 18 March 2022, the Federal Council gave its approval for the conclusion of an agreement with Liechtenstein.

Presidential visit to UK to focus on Swiss-British partnership and European security

25.04.2022 — Press release EDA
President Ignazio Cassis will travel to London this week where he will meet with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Minister Elizabeth Truss on Thursday, 28 April. The two sides will discuss ways of deepening bilateral relations. Other topics on the agenda include Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and its consequences, as well as the policies of Switzerland and the UK with regard to Europe.

Federal Council wants Switzerland to join six European research infrastructures

13.04.2022 — Press release DEA
On 13 April, the Federal Council submitted the Dispatch on Switzerland's access to six European research infrastructure networks to Parliament. Access to these networks will enable Swiss researchers to participate actively and on an equal footing.

Ukraine: Adoption of further EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus

13.04.2022 — Press release DEA
On 13 April, the Federal Council took the decision to adopt the new EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus. Amendments to the corresponding ordinances are being prepared. Furthermore, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) has imposed financial sanctions and travel restrictions on a further 200 individuals.

Ignazio Cassis meets President Egils Levits of Latvia in Lugano

11.04.2022 — Press release EDA
During their meeting in Lugano, President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis and his Latvian counterpart Egils Levits discussed bilateral relations between Switzerland and Latvia, the war in Ukraine and European policy. Afterwards, the two presidents visited the Museo Rainis e Aspazija, which commemorates the time spent in exile by the Latvian intellectuals in Switzerland at the start of the 20th century.

German-speaking foreign ministers address joint appeal to Russia

08.04.2022 — Press release EDA
At the invitation of Liechtenstein's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the annual meeting of foreign ministers from the five German-speaking countries took place today in the Principality of Liechtenstein. Their discussions focused on the current situation in Ukraine and its geopolitical consequences, and the humanitarian crisis created by the Russian attack on Ukraine. The five German-speaking foreign ministers jointly appeal to Russia to immediately end all use of force in Ukraine and to withdraw its troops unconditionally.

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to meet Bulgarian president and EU research commissioner in Sofia

07.04.2022 — Press release DEA
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), will inaugurate the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) in Sofia on 11 April. During this visit, he will also hold talks on research, innovation and education in the context of Swiss-Bulgarian and Swiss-European cooperation.

75% of Swiss citizens living abroad have more than one nationality

07.04.2022 — Press release EDA
At the end of 2021, more than one in ten Swiss citizens lived abroad. This was a 1.5% increase compared with 2020. Most of these citizens lived in Europe. Regardless of the continent in which they lived, the majority were aged between 18 and 64. Reflecting Switzerland's multicultural nature, many of them also had more than one nationality, according to the results of the statistics on the Swiss abroad from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

President Ignazio Cassis receives Croatian President Zoran Milanović

07.04.2022 — Press release EDA
President Ignazio Cassis met with Croatian President Zoran Milanović in Geneva on Thursday, 7 April. In addition to bilateral relations, the talks focused on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the situation in the Western Balkans and Switzerland’s European policy. The visit included a meeting with students from the University of Geneva.

Switzerland–EU: Consultations on free movement of persons to intensify

21.12.2015 — Press release DEA

Bern - President Simonetta Sommaruga met European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and President of the Council Jean Asselborn for a working meeting in Brussels on Monday. The three agreed to continue and intensify consultations on the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. Both sides aim to reach a mutually acceptable solution that complies with both the Swiss Constitution and the Agreement on Free Movement.

Switzerland to strengthen its partnership with Austria at the consular level

03.12.2015 — Press release DEA
Didier Burkhalter, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), met on Thursday with Sebastian Kurz, Austria's Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the margins of the 22nd OSCE Ministerial Council meeting held in Belgrade on 3 and 4 December. They signed a new consular agreement between Switzerland and Austria that will allow the two countries to step up their cooperation at various levels. In addition, Mr Burkhalter and Mr Kurz discussed a number of bilateral and international issues, including security in Europe and the Middle East, the migration crisis and relations between Switzerland and the European Union (EU).

Towards a single charger for mobile telephones

25.11.2015 — Press release DEA

Bern - From summer 2017, all mobile telephones sold on the Swiss market will be compatible with a universal charger. The Federal Council today accepted the revision of two ordinances on telecommunications and electrical equipment. It is a question of harmonising the technical requirements in Switzerland with those of the European Union.

Federal Council adopts dispatch on automatic exchange of information in tax matters between Switzerland and EU

25.11.2015 — Press release DEA
Today, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the agreement regarding the automatic exchange of information (AEOI) in tax matters with the EU and submitted it to Parliament for approval. The agreement was the subject of a consultation procedure from 27 May 2015 to 17 September 2015. Most of the participants welcomed the proposal.

Swiss Labour Force Survey and its derivative statistics in 3rd quarter 2015: labour supply – 1.1% increase in number of employed persons; unemployment rate based on ILO definition at 4.9%

12.11.2015 — Press release DEA

Neuchâtel, According to figures from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the number of employed persons in Switzerland rose by 1.1% between the 3rd quarter 2014 and the 3rd quarter 2015. During the same period, the unemployment rate as defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) increased slightly in Switzerland from 4.8% to 4.9%. The EU's unemployment rate based on the ILO definition decreased from 9.8% to 9.0%.

Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann on working visit to meet British Minister of State for Trade and Investment

02.11.2015 — Press release DEA

Bern, Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), travelled to London on 2 November for a working visit where he met the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Lord Maude, for talks on reducing bureaucracy, the economic situation of both countries and of Europe, as well as bilateral economic relations. Relations between The relations of both states with the European Union were also a topic of discussion. In addition, the head of the EAER used the visit to London as an opportunity to officially launch a programme for start-ups and discuss European issues with a number of think tank representatives.

President Grybauskaité of Lithuania on official visit to Switzerland

06.10.2015 — Press release DEA

Bern - On Tuesday, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, received the President of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaité, for an official visit to Switzerland. The talks focused on bilateral relations and European policy (for Switzerland in particular on progress with implementing the article on immigration in the Federal Constitution), on the situation in Ukraine and the refugee crisis in Europe. Switzerland and Lithuania have friendly relations and have become increasingly close in recent years.

New mandatory international OECD standards with regard to corporate taxation, including for Switzerland

05.10.2015 — Press release DEA
Switzerland supports international efforts to achieve greater transparency and a level playing field with regard to the taxation of multinationals. As a member of the OECD, it actively participated in the base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project, the final outcomes of which were published today. The Federal Council has instructed the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) to deliver analyses and proposals for implementing the outcomes.

Students at Swiss higher education institutions 2013: Analysis report – 17% higher education students from abroad

29.09.2015 — Press release DEA

Neuchâtel - The proportion of international students at Swiss higher education institutions is 17%. With 19%, the universities show a higher percentage than the universities of applied science (14%) and the universities of teacher education (7%). The majority of these students come from neighbouring countries and are more dependent on financial support from their families than domestic students. The Federal Statistical Office's new publication examines these and many other issues.

Population change in Switzerland in 2014 – Net migration declined slightly in comparison with 2013

29.09.2015 — Press release DEA

Neuchâtel - Switzerland's population grew by 1.2% in 2014. This growth is due to positive net migration, an increase in births and a decrease in deaths. All cantons were affected by this trend. The increase in the number of Swiss nationals continues to be mainly due to naturalisations. These are the final results of the population and households statistics from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Sciex programme: Research training placements in Switzerland spur scientific and economic development in eastern Europe

25.09.2015 — Press release EDA
A ceremony to mark the end of the Scientific Exchange Programme between the New Member States and Switzerland (Sciex), which has offered over 500 researchers from ten new EU member states research training placements in Switzerland since it was launched in 2009, was held today at ETH Zurich. Part of Switzerland’s contribution to the enlarged EU was allocated to fund the fellowship programme in recognition of the fact that enhancing the capacity of scientists in central and eastern Europe to conduct research is a critical factor in the region's economic development.

Migration, Europe and commitment in fragile states: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter in political talks in Stockholm

15.09.2015 — Press release EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter was in Stockholm today meeting with Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström and Minister for International Development Cooperation Isabella Lövin. The bilateral talks centred on the refugee problem, Switzerland's policy regarding the European Union (EU), aspects of development cooperation and various bilateral issues.

Emissions trading scheme: acquisition of aviation data in 2018

02.06.2017 — DEA
The integration of greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector into the emissions trading scheme (ETS) is a necessary step in order to link the Swiss and European schemes. At its session on 2 June 2017 the Federal Council approved the Ordinance governing the acquisition and reporting of data from the aviation sector. In line with the intention of the European Union, it is only domestic flights in Switzerland or flights from Switzerland to member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) that are concerned.

Official working visit to Brussels by Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann

30.03.2017 — DEA
On 30 March Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), met European Commission Vice President Andrus Ansip, who is responsible for the digital single market, and the Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström. The main themes included cooperation in the field of digitalisation and bilateral trade relations, particularly updating the existing bilateral agreements.

Withholding tax agreement with United Kingdom to be terminated

14.11.2016 — DEA
The withholding tax agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom will be terminated on 1 January 2017. The agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the automatic exchange of information in tax matters will enter into force on that date. On 14 November 2016, Switzerland and the United Kingdom signed a corresponding agreement in London to ensure a smooth transition between the two models.

Withdrawal of Switzerland’s membership application to the EU - EU's reply

26.10.2016 — Article DEA

EU's reply letter of the 19.10.2016 (PDF, 1 Page, 110.9 kB)

Swiss Government's letter of the 27.7.2016 (in French) (PDF, 1 Page, 216.6 kB)

Federal Councillor Maurer at meeting of German-speaking finance ministers

23.08.2016 — DEA
Today, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer attended the informal working meeting of German-speaking finance ministers in Vaduz. He discussed current financial and fiscal policy issues with his counterparts Wolfgang Schäuble (Germany), Hans Jörg Schelling (Austria), Adrian Hasler (Liechtenstein) and Pierre Gramegna (Luxembourg).

Withdrawal of Switzerland’s membership application to the EU

27.07.2016 — Article DEA

Swiss Government's letter of the 27.7.2016 (in French) (PDF, 1 Page, 216.6 kB)

Federal Council adopts dispatch on automatic exchange of tax information with eight states and territories

06.07.2016 — DEA
Today, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the introduction of the automatic exchange of financial account information with Iceland, Norway, Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man, Japan, Canada and the Republic of Korea, and submitted it to Parliament for approval. The proposal met with widespread approval in the consultation.

Federal Council extends transitional periods for financial market infrastructures

29.06.2016 — DEA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council adjusted the Financial Market Infrastructure Ordinance. The transitional periods for financial market infrastructures were extended by a year in line with developments in the EU.

United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union

24.06.2016 — Article DEA

The electorate of the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union in a referendum. The current regulations regarding Swiss citizens and companies will remain valid for the time being. A list of answers to frequently asked questions is available on the website of the DEA.

• FAQ Brexit
• Press Release FDFA: Brexit: FDFA Helpline offers advice for Swiss citizens

Everything ready for the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel

01.06.2016 — DEA
With the gathering this morning of the one thousand randomly selected representatives of the public for the first trips through the Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT), the opening festivities for the world's longest railway tunnel have begun. For the festival involving half a dozen heads of state and government, everything is ready. More than 2,000 individuals from the army, police, federal government, Swiss Federal Railways, AlpTransit Gotthard (ATG) and private companies are in action. In addition, 300 media professionals have been accredited from around 20 nations, including the USA, Canada, China, Japan, Kuwait and Chile as well as Switzerland's neighbouring countries.

Meeting of transport ministers in Lugano

31.05.2016 — DEA
Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard met the transport ministers of the Alpine countries today as part of the Zurich Process. The conference was held in Lugano this year to mark the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel. Transport ministers from the Alpine countries meet regularly to discuss issues of transport safety as well as the modal shift policy. The presidency passed from Slovenian infrastructure minister, Peter Gašperšič, to his Italian colleague Graziano Delrio.

Switzerland to support the reform of the civilian security sector in Mali and Ukraine

13.04.2016 — DEA
Today, Switzerland and the European Union (EU) have signed two agreements on Switzerland's participation in EUCAP Sahel Mali, the EU's civilian mission for the reform of the security sector in Mali, and in EUAM Ukraine, the EU advisory mission for civilian security sector reform in Ukraine. These two agreements form the basis for the secondment of Swiss civilian experts to these missions.