Swiss-Croatian bilateral relations are excellent and multifaceted. In addition to the dynamic personal, economic, cultural and scientific exchanges between the two countries, Switzerland's second contribution to selected EU member states is a key element of the bilateral relations and Switzerland's well-regarded reputation in Croatia. Croatia is becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination for the Swiss, and there is also a significant Croatian community living in Switzerland.
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Croatia
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
The two countries hold regular high-level political meetings within a bilateral and multilateral framework.
In 2017, the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU was extended to Croatia. The agreement provides for the phased opening of the Swiss job market to Croatian nationals. The Federal Council invoked the safeguard clause in 2023 and again in 2024, meaning that there is a quota on the number of permits available for Croatian nationals wishing to take up paid employment in Switzerland. Full freedom of movement for Croatian nationals will come into force in 2025 on a trial basis. The 10-year transitional regulation for Croatia is applicable until 31 December 2026. ployees from Croatia will be treated the same as other EU/EFTA citizens.
Economic cooperation
Although Croatia is one of Switzerland's key trading partners in south-eastern Europe, the volume of trade remains relatively limited. Nevertheless, bilateral trade has been increasing steadily. In 2023, it reached CHF 687 million – CHF 352 million in Swiss exports to Croatia, and CHF 335 million in imports from Croatia. The growth of exports to Croatia outweighed that of imported goods to Switzerland. Switzerland mainly exports pharmaceutical products and machinery, and mainly imports metal products, machinery, and agricultural and forestry products.
Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise
Swiss contribution to selected EU member states
Croatia is one of the beneficiary countries of the second Swiss contribution to reducing economic and social disparities in selected EU member states.
The second Swiss contribution to Croatia amounts to CHF 45.7 million. Based on the framework agreement signed between Switzerland and Croatia in 2022, this will be made available until the end of 2029 for programmes in research and innovation, water and wastewater management, palliative care and civic engagement.
It was also a beneficiary country under the first enlargement contribution, with 12 projects being funded with CHF 42.7 million up to December 2024. These projects directly impact local living standards in terms of water and wastewater management, health and safety, socio-economic development, and innovation and research.
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
The second Swiss contribution has led to increased cooperation with Croatia in the field of research. Part of the contribution is a multilateral initiative (MAPS: Multilateral Academic Projects), which supports research projects between researchers from Switzerland and Croatia and four other EU member states.
Researchers and artists who are citizens of Croatia 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
Cultural exchange
Both the Swiss embassy in Zagreb and Pro Helvetia (Swiss arts council) actively promote Switzerland's presence on the culture scene in Croatia. Direct exchanges between Swiss artists and Croatian event organisers are also increasing.
Swiss nationals in Croatia
At the end of 2023 there were 1,750 Swiss nationals living in Croatia.
History of bilateral relations
Switzerland opened a consulate general in Zagreb in 1920, firstly serving the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and subsequently the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
On 8 October 1991, the former Yugoslav constituent republic of Croatia declared its independence. Switzerland recognised Croatia as a sovereign state in January 1992. The excellent bilateral relations between the two countries today can be traced back to Switzerland's humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts during and after the war in Croatia. Switzerland was one of the first countries to open an embassy in Zagreb in 1992, the same year a Croatian embassy in Bern was established. Croatia also opened a consulate general in Zurich in 1995.
In 2019, then president Ueli Maurer met the Croatian president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović in Zagreb. In 2022, Croatia's president, Zoran Milanović, visited Bern and met with Ignazio Cassis in his capacity as Swiss president at the time.
