Lead* max. 450 Zeichen, fasst den Inhalt der Seite zusammen. Inhalt: allg. Information zu Art, Intensität und Schwerpunkten der bilateralen Beziehungen. The failed Hungarian Uprising of 1956 against Soviet communism continues to have a significant influence on relations between Switzerland and Hungary. At the time of the events, around 12,000 Hungarian refugees were granted asylum in Switzerland. After the Cold War, Hungary received support through Switzerland's cooperation programme with Eastern Europe. The country is also a recipient of the Swiss contribution to selected EU member states.
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Hungary
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Switzerland and Hungary maintain close diplomatic relations. Cooperation is particularly close in business and education, and in the culture sector. From 2008 until 2017, bilateral relations mainly focused on Switzerland's enlargement contribution. The implementation of projects in Hungary under Switzerland's second contribution has been underway since 2022.
Economic cooperation
Hungary is a key trading partner for Switzerland in Central Europe. In 2024 Switzerland exported goods to Hungary worth CHF 1.12 billion, while Hungarian imports to Switzerland in the same year were worth CHF 1.54 billion. Trade between the two countries comprises mainly machinery and electronic products, pharmaceuticals and agricultural products.
Switzerland is Hungary's fifth largest foreign investor and seventh biggest foreign employer. There are almost 900 Swiss companies in Hungary providing around 29,000 jobs.
Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise
Country information, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
Cooperation in education, research and innovationg
In the field of scientific and academic cooperation, the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states (2019–29) is supporting a partnership programme on democracy between the German-speaking Andrássy University in Budapest and various Swiss universities. The contribution is also providing funding for a joint research and innovation programme between Hungarian and Swiss institutions, as well as projects in the field of vocational education and training.
Researchers and artists who are citizens of Hungary can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI
Second Swiss contribution
Hungary is receiving a total of CHF 87.6 million under the second Swiss contribution (2019–29). The implementation agreement, which was signed in Hungary on 8 November 2022, commits both countries to reducing economic and social inequality and strengthening bilateral relations. Key areas of support include vocational education and training, research and innovation, SME financing, combating human trafficking, energy efficiency and renewable energies, water and wastewater management, health and social protection, and minorities. Cooperation with Swiss institutions helps to promote knowledge sharing between the two countries.
Hungary was also one of the countries to benefit from Switzerland's first contribution to the enlarged EU (2007–17). By mid-2017, 39 projects had been successfully implemented thanks to a total of roughly CHF 131 million in funding. The initial objectives were achieved and in some projects exceeded.
Second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states
Cultural exchanges
Switzerland and Hungary share close cultural ties, bolstered by the migration flows of the 20th century (Swiss artists with Hungarian roots, for example). A number of Swiss artists and ensembles also take part, often independently, in Budapest's cultural scene.
Swiss nationals in Hungary
In mid-2024, there were 2,249 Swiss nationals living in Hungary.
Statistics on the Swiss abroad
History of bilateral relations
Switzerland recognised the Hungarian state in 1920 after the dissolution of the Habsburg Monarchy. Diplomatic relations – briefly suspended at the end of the Second World War – were re-established in 1946, although they later cooled as Hungary became a communist people's republic under the influence of the Soviet Union.
When Soviet troops crushed the Hungarian Uprising of 1956, Switzerland showed its solidarity by accepting around 12,000 Hungarian refugees and sending aid consignments to the country.
After Hungary's democratic transition in 1989, relations with Switzerland were stepped up significantly at all levels – government, economic, social and cultural – with Switzerland supporting the establishment of democratic and market-economy structures through its cultural contacts and cooperation programme with Eastern Europe.
