Relations between Switzerland and Greece are good and are based on a long tradition. They cover a range of areas including economic affairs, energy, culture, tourism and cooperation in the field of migration.
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Greece
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Switzerland and Greece maintain good diplomatic relations. Regular high-level bilateral visits enable an exchange on topics of common interest such as economic, migration and cultural issues. Switzerland and Greece also take similar positions in international fora such as the UN and the OSCE.
As a member of the Schengen Area, Switzerland deploys Swiss border guards to critical points along the external border – including to Greece – as part of Frontex. Finally, Switzerland's solidarity in providing aid during natural disasters and the Swiss-Greek cooperation program play a major role in our relations.
Economic cooperation
In 2024, Switzerland exported goods worth CHF 719 million to Greece and imported goods worth CHF 214 million.
Exports consisted mainly of pharmaceutical and horological products, chemical products and machinery. Imports were primarily agricultural products, followed by pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. Swiss investments in Greece amounted to CHF 1.7 billion in 2023. Every year, around 500,000 Swiss tourists spend their vacation in Greece.
Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise
Country information, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
The Swiss School of Archaeology in Greece (ESAG), which was founded in 1964, represents a special feature of the Swiss-Greek scientific cooperation. Only 6 of the 17 foreign archaeological institutes in Greece are designated as “schools”. Among the most important discoveries of the ESAG is the Artemis sanctuary on the island of Euboea in 2007.
For the 2025–26 academic year, no Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships will be awarded to Greek citizens.
Swiss School of Archaeology in Greece
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI
Swiss contribution to selected EU member states
As part of the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states, Switzerland is supporting Greece with CHF 40 million as part of the migration framework credit. This Swiss-Greek Cooperation Programme runs from 2022 to 2026. Its priorities are the improvement of asylum procedures and asylum accommodation infrastructure (with a particular focus on unaccompanied child refugees), voluntary return assistance and integration assistance, as well as technical cooperation in the preparation and implementation of projects.
Cultural exchanges
Swiss performers regularly appear on Greek stages and screens, often at major summer festivals.
Philhellenism continues to inspire and contribute to the foundation of friendship between Switzerland and Greece. In the early 19th century, Philhellenism was a pan-European movement that supported the Greek struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire. Switzerland, and particularly the city of Geneva, played an important role in this movement.
Swiss nationals in Greece
At the end of 2024, 3,160 Swiss nationals were living in Greece, including 2,343 dual citizens.
History of bilateral relations
In 1815, before and during the Congress of Vienna, Ioannis Capodistria, a native of Corfu and representative of Tsar Alexander I, successfully intervened to defend the internal reorganization of the Confederation and the international recognition of Swiss neutrality.
The Greek uprising of 1821 against Ottoman rule led to the establishment of an independent Greek state in 1830. A number of prominent Swiss figures, including Jean-Gabriel Eynard and Johann-Jakob Meyer, supported the Greek rebels.
Switzerland was represented by a consulate from 1865 to 1925, then by an embassy. Greece has been represented in Switzerland by its embassy in Bern since 1917, consulates general in Geneva (already between 1867 and 1924) and Zurich, and a consulate in Lugano.
