Relations between Switzerland and Slovakia are close, especially at the civil society level. Around 13,000 Czechoslovak refugees fled to Switzerland in the wake of the Prague Spring in 1968. Following Czechoslovakia's division in 1993, Slovakia received support through Switzerland's cooperation programme with Eastern Europe and its contribution to the enlarged EU. Slovakia is one of the recipient countries of the second Swiss contribution.
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Slovakia
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Switzerland and Slovakia maintain close diplomatic ties.
The second Swiss contribution is further strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the areas of vocational education and training, sustainable tourism, the promotion of biodiversity and health.
Economic cooperation
In general terms, trade between Switzerland and Slovakia is developing satisfactorily. The total volume of trade amounted around CHF 2 billion in 2023.
Swiss-Slovak Chamber of Commerce
Country information, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
Cooperation between Switzerland and Slovakia in the fields of education, research and innovation takes place under European framework programmes and the second Swiss contribution.
Researchers and artists from Slovakia 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
Second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states
Slovakia receives funding as part of the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states, which aims to reduce social and economic disparities in the EU. The programme has a total budget of CHF 42.2 million for 2023–29. In September 2023, the two countries signed the framework agreement governing the programme's implementation.
The programme supports projects in three areas:
- improving quality and attractiveness of the initial and higher vocational education and training
- promoting sustainable tourism and strengthening biodiversity in protected areas
- preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases and promoting healthy lifestyles
Programmes/projects in Slovakia
Second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states
Swiss nationals in Slovakia
According to the Statistics on the Swiss Abroad, 377 Swiss nationals were living in Slovakia at the end of 2023.
Statistics on the Swiss Abroad
History of bilateral relations
After the suppression of the Prague Spring in 1968, around 13,000 Czechoslovak refugees sought refuge in Switzerland.
The dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993 led to the creation of two new states: the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. Switzerland recognised the Slovakia on the day of its founding, 1 January 1993.
During the transition period of the 1990s, Slovakia was a priority country for Switzerland's cooperation programme with Eastern Europe. Switzerland also supported Slovakia through its enlargement contribution.
Switzerland has had an embassy in Bratislava since 1999. Slovakia's embassy in Switzerland is located in Muri, on the outskirts of Bern.
