Dossiers

The flags of Switzerland and the EU

History of Swiss–EU relations

The 1972 Free Trade Agreement laid the foundation for Swiss–EU relations, which are now regulated by over 100 bilateral agreements. Switzerland is a reliable and committed partner for the EU, its member states and for the EEA and EFTA states.

File History

Swiss Contribution

Swiss contribution

With the Swiss contribution, Switzerland invests in security, stability and prosperity in Europe. It strengthens and deepens its bilateral relations with partner countries and the EU as a whole.

File Swiss contribution

Free movement of persons

Free movement of persons

The agreement on the free movement of persons between Switzerland and the EU has been in force since 1 June 2002 as an important part of the Bilateral Agreements I.

File Free movement of persons

Flags Switzerland and UK

Schengen/Dublin

Internal security and migration challenges require international cooperation. Switzerland works closely with European states in the areas of justice, police, visas and asylum.

File Schengen/Dublin

Parliament building

Institutional agreement

The Federal Council has taken the decision not to sign the InstA. The negotiations with the EU did not produce the outcomes Switzerland needed to sign the agreement.

File Institutional agreement

Flags Switzerland and UK

Brexit

The UK’s withdrawal from the EU will have consequences for Switzerland’s relations with this country. Switzerland wants to maintain its close relationship with the UK beyond Brexit. 

File Brexit