Political relations between Switzerland and Estonia are excellent. This is partly due to the assistance that Switzerland gave Estonia in the area of security and defence during its first years of independence. Estonia is a beneficiary country of the second Swiss contribution to selected EU members.
Switzerland and Estonia maintain regular bilateral contacts at the highest level. In the last decade, one of the priorities of bilateral relations has been close cooperation within the framework of Switzerland's first and second contribution. Security policy is also an area of increasingly substantial exchange, including cybersecurity issues. Switzerland is a contributing member of the Cooperative Cyber Defence Center of Excellence (CCDCOE) in Tallinn, with currently two Swiss nationals working as experts in the center.
Economic relations between the two countries are on an upward trend. In 2023, the volume of trade amounted to approximately CHF 363 million. Swiss investments in Estonia have risen steadily over the past ten years. In Estonia, Swiss companies invest mainly in industry, retail, tourism, transport, financial services and real estate.
In the area of research and innovation, cooperation mainly takes place within the context of European framework programmes.
Scholars and artists from Estonia can apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI
Estonia is a beneficiary of the second Swiss Contribution and receives CHF 26 million for programmes in the fields of fostering integration and social inclusion and at safeguarding of the biodiversity. On 21 November 2022, the implementation agreement for the Swiss-Estonian Cooperation Programme was signed by both countries.Within the framework of the first contribution from 2007-2017, 18 projects worth a total of CHF 38 million were implemented. The projects focused, among other areas, on the energy efficiency of public buildings and the use of renewable energy sources.
Already in the 1990s, Switzerland provided Estonia with assistance amounting to about CHF 22 million through its programme of cooperation with the countries of Eastern Europe, focusing mainly on environmental protection.
Second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states, Switzerland and Estonia
At the end of 2024, there were 100 Swiss citizens living in Estonia.
The Federal Council recognised Estonia’s independence in 1921. A trade agreement was concluded in 1925, further strengthening bilateral relations.
Bilateral relations were interrupted after the Soviet Union annexed Estonia in 1940, and were re-established in 1991 after the country regained its independence. Switzerland never recognised the annexation of Estonia by the Soviet Union.
Switzerland’s interests in Estonia are represented by the Swiss embassy in Riga (Latvia) which also represents Switzerland's interests in Lithuania. The Estonian embassy in Vienna covers Switzerland.
Last update 14.10.2025
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