Bilateral relations between Switzerland and the Kingdom of Norway are excellent. The common challenge of European integration has brought the two countries closer together, particularly through their cooperation within the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Norway
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Switzerland and Norway share a strong commitment in the fields of human security, peacebuilding, humanitarian policy and migration. Close contacts exist at the multilateral level, both within international organisations (e.g. the UN) and regional organisations such as the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Economic cooperation
As neither country is a member of the European Union, Switzerland and Norway maintain close contacts within EFTA and the World Trade Organization (WTO). In 2023, Switzerland exported goods worth CHF 675 million to Norway and imported goods worth CHF 400 million, resulting in a positive trade balance for Switzerland.
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
For the academic year 2025–26, no Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships will be awarded to Norwegian citizens.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI
Swiss nationals in Norway
2,956 Swiss nationals were living in Norway at the end of 2023.
History of bilateral relations
Switzerland opened a consulate in Oslo in 1847, which was upgraded to a consulate general in 1921. Norway established a consulate general in Zurich in 1906. In 1918, the Norwegian ambassador in Rome was accredited to Switzerland and the Swiss representative in Stockholm was accredited to Norway. The legations that were opened in Bern and Oslo after the Second World War were upgraded to the status of embassy in 1955 and 1957 respectively.
Since 1951, the Swiss ambassador in Oslo has also been accredited to Iceland. In 2006, King Harald V and Queen Sonja made a state visit to Switzerland. In 2020, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis was invited for an official visit to Oslo. In February 2024, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd, paid an official visit to Norway.
