Switzerland and Portugal have a tradition of good and amiable relations. An important element is social exchange, due to the large number of Portuguese nationals in Switzerland. Conversely, Portugal is a popular holiday destination for the Swiss. In addition, more and more Swiss nationals are choosing to take their retirement in Portugal.
Relations between the two countries are rich in tradition, not least because of the almost 255,500 Portuguese nationals living in Switzerland. Accordingly, the Portuguese community is the third-largest group of foreign nationals in Switzerland.
Diplomatic relations are excellent. They are based on lively exchanges taking the form of bilateral visits at all levels. Switzerland and Portugal work together at multilateral level, primarily within the framework of the UN.
Bilateral trade amounted to CHF 2.5 billion in 2023, with Switzerland exporting goods worth CHF 1.2 billion to Portugal and importing goods worth CHF 1.3 billion – a trade deficit for Switzerland. Switzerland mainly exports pharmaceutical products, machinery and equipment as well as precision instruments, watches and jewellery to Portugal, while it primarily imports textiles, clothing and shoes, vehicles and products from the chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries. Trade in services totalled CHF 1.2 billion in 2023.
Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise
Swiss–Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCISP)
Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services Switzerland–Portugal (CCISSP)
In both education and research, relations are very close. There are many exchange programmes for teaching staff and students, in particular between the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Porto and the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio. A protocol has been in place since 2016 between the Portuguese tourism schools and the Swiss Education Group (SEG) that allows students from Portugal to attend SEG schools.
Researchers and artists with Portuguese citizenship can apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI
Switzerland makes contributions to the cultural life of Lisbon and Porto. These contributions receive support from Pro Helvetia or the embassy, and sometimes involve direct cooperation with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon and the Serralves Foundation in Porto. The embassy also works regularly with Portuguese creative artists and the cultural institutes of other countries (Goethe Institut, Institut français du Portugal, Instituto Italiano di Cultura).
At the end of 2024, there were 7,619 Swiss nationals living in Portugal.
Switzerland opened a consulate in Lisbon in 1817, which was upgraded to a consulate general in 1874. A second consulate was added in Porto in 1896. The first agrément for a Swiss diplomat, on 7 March 1919, was followed by a Swiss diplomatic chancery in the Portuguese capital in 1936, which was upgraded to a legation in 1945 and to an embassy in 1959. Portugal established its first consulate in Switzerland in Geneva in 1855. The Portuguese legation in Bern, opened in 1892, was upgraded to an embassy in 1959.
The membership of both countries in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) from 1960 to 1985 fostered their bilateral relations. From 1963 to 1975, the Swiss Confederation represented Portuguese interests in Senegal.
In 2016, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa paid a state visit to Switzerland, which was followed by a state visit to Lisbon by President Doris Leuthard in 2017.
Last update 22.04.2025
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