Relations between Switzerland and the Netherlands are excellent. Political, economic, scientific and cultural exchanges between the two countries are vibrant and amicable.
Bilateral relations Switzerland–the Netherlands
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
The Netherlands and Switzerland collaborate closely at a bilateral level across multiple areas. Key areas of focus include European and foreign policy, cooperation in science and innovation, trade, sustainability and security policy. In the multilateral arena, the two countries pursue common goals, particularly within the framework of the UN.
Economic cooperation
The Netherlands is an important economic partner for Switzerland and vice versa. Switzerland is one of the 25 priority markets with the highest trade potential for the Netherlands.
Bilateral trade has consistently remained at a high level, with a volume of CHF 12.3 billion in 2023. That year, Switzerland exported goods worth CHF 6.4 billion to the Netherlands and imported goods worth CHF 5.9 billion, resulting in a trade surplus for Switzerland.
The Netherlands also ranks second among foreign investors in Switzerland, while Switzerland is the seventh-largest foreign investor in the Netherlands.
Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise
Information on countries, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
The Netherlands is one of Switzerland's most important partners in research and innovation. Switzerland and the Netherlands are founding members of the EUREKA initiative. Innovation stakeholders from both countries have participated in a total of 141 joint innovation projects over the past 30 years, with the Eurostars programme in particular generating strong momentum. This places the Netherlands second only to Germany in terms of EU partnerships with Switzerland.
Researchers and artists who are citizens of the Netherlands can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI
Cultural exchanges
Swiss artists are drawn to the Netherlands, particularly in the fields of visual arts (especially photography), performing arts (including dance, film and theatre), and music (jazz and classical). This trend is largely driven by the Netherlands' cosmopolitan environment, vibrant artistic scene, outstanding institutions, and strong public sector support for the arts. The Arts Council Pro Helvetia supports the activities of Swiss artists in the Netherlands.
Swiss nationals in the Netherlands
At the end of 2023, there were 9,173 Swiss nationals living in the Netherlands. A total of 101 Swiss nationals were living in the Caribbean territories of the Netherlands.
History of bilateral relations
The Netherlands established a diplomatic representation in Bern in 1814, which was upgraded to a consulate general in 1832. A year later, Switzerland established a consulate in Amsterdam. In 1894, the Netherlands opened a legation in Bern. In 1904, the Federal Council decided to accredit its envoy in London to the Dutch government, and in 1917 Switzerland opened a legation in The Hague.
During the Second World War, Switzerland assumed protecting power mandates for the Netherlands in China (officially), Bulgaria and France (de facto).
Queen Beatrix paid a state visit to Switzerland in 1993. In 2004, the president of the Swiss Confederation, Joseph Deiss, was received by Queen Beatrix in The Hague.
Switzerland is represented in the Netherlands by its embassy in The Hague, and honorary representations (consulates) in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Willemstad (Curaçao). The Netherlands, for its part, has an embassy in Bern and honorary consulates general in Zurich, Basel, Lugano, as well as in Liechtenstein.
The Netherlands, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
