Key aspects of diplomatic relations

The Dominican Republic is a tourist destination and country of emigration for many Swiss nationals. Switzerland and the Dominican Republic conduct significant trading relations and have concluded bilateral agreements on air transport, the protection of investments and the transfer of convicted persons.

Treaty database

Government of the Dominican Republic (es)

Swiss-Dominican Chamber of Tourism and Commerce (es)

Economic cooperation

In 2020, Switzerland imported CHF 1.1 billion of goods from the Dominican Republic, comprising precious stones, precious metals and agricultural products. Swiss exports to the Dominican Republic amounted to almost CHF 34 million, including machinery, watches, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and detergents.

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise SGE

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

Researchers in the Dominican Republic 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

Swiss nationals in the Dominican Republic

At the end of 2020, there were 1,984 Swiss nationals living in the Dominican Republic, making it the largest Swiss community in the Caribbean.

History of bilateral relations

The Dominican Republic gained independence in 1844. Switzerland recognised the new state and opened a consulate in Santo Domingo in 1936. During the Second World War, Switzerland represented the interests of the Dominican Republic in several countries. The Swiss consulate was upgraded to a consulate general in 1959, before becoming an embassy in 2007. Since May 2011, the regional consular centre in Santo Domingo has also been responsible for consular affairs in Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis.

The Dominican Republic, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)

Diplomatic Documents of Switzerland, Dodis