Switzerland and Romania enjoy excellent diplomatic relations. The two countries engage proactively in political dialogue and maintain strong trade and cultural ties. Romania is among the countries benefiting from the Swiss contribution to selected EU member states. Under this partnership, Switzerland and Romania are working closely on a range of projects covering, for example, energy efficiency, and dual-track vocational education and training.
Switzerland and Romania enjoy excellent diplomatic relations. High-level bilateral visits take place at regular intervals.
Former President of the Swiss Confederation, Federal Councillor Viola Amherd, was received in Bucharest in March 2024. During her visit, she met Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, and Finance Minister Marcel Boloș.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visited Bucharest in February 2025. He met with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu and Finance Minister Barna Tánczos. The visit to Romania made it also possible to sign the agreements on the implementation of the programmes of the second Swiss contribution to.
Romania is Switzerland's most important trading partner in south-eastern Europe. In 2023, total trade between the two countries was CHF 2.7 billion, with CHF 1.6 billion in goods exported to Romania and CHF 1.1 billion imported by Switzerland. Chemicals and pharmaceuticals accounted for the largest share of exports, while machinery and electronics accounted for the largest share of imports. In 2022, Switzerland was the eighth largest foreign investor in Romania, with investments totalling CHF 3.1 billion.
Country information, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
The Swiss contribution also facilitates cooperation on education, research and innovation.
Through the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), Switzerland supports the New European College in Bucharest, an independent institute for advanced studies in social sciences and the humanities.
Researchers and artists who are citizens of Romania can apply to SERI for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI
Police and judicial cooperation is a key component of bilateral relations. In July 2007, Romania and Switzerland entered into a cooperation agreement on combating terrorism and organised crime. A working group on taking action against human trafficking was established in January 2012, comprising representatives from both countries.
Since 2009, bilateral cooperation has intensified within the framework of Switzerland's first and second contributions. These contributions aim to reduce social and economic disparities within the EU. In the framework of the second contribution to cohesion, Romania received the second largest contribution (CHF 221.5 million). On 12 December 2022, the framework agreement governing the Swiss–Romanian cooperation programme was signed in Bucharest, followed by five agreements for the implementation programmes on 20 February 2025.
The second contribution to cohesion facilitates ongoing work in areas where the first contribution to enlargement was deployed in Romania, including dual-track vocational education and training, energy efficiency, research and innovation, public safety, welfare schemes, and civil society.
Programmes/projects in Romania, Switzerland and Romania
Second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states, Switzerland and Romania
Cultural relations between Switzerland and Romania have developed, diversified and intensified in recent years. The Swiss embassy and Pro Helvetia are primarily responsible for promoting Swiss culture in Romania.
Cultural projects are promoted by the Swiss Sponsors' Fund (SSF) – a joint initiative of the Swiss embassy and Chamber of Commerce Switzerland–Romania. Since 2023, the Swiss embassy and Pro Helvetia have supported over 50 projects in Romania, covering literature, music, fine art, theatre and performing arts, cinema, architecture, graphic design and cybersecurity training.
At the end of 2024 there were 709 Swiss nationals living in Romania.
Official relations between Romania and Switzerland were established on 10 June 1880 following Romania's proclamation of independence. On the same date, Switzerland opened a consulate general in Bucharest.
Romania has maintained consular representations in Switzerland since 1891. The Romanian consulate in Bern, which opened in 1905, was converted into a legation in 1911. The Federal Council established the Swiss legation in Bucharest in 1916. In 1962, the Swiss legation was upgraded to an embassy.
Bilateral relations cooled during the communist period. Swiss–Romanian relations thawed when the Cold War ended. Since the collapse of communism, Switzerland has supported the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law in the country, as well as the development of a functioning market economy.
Last update 17.10.2025
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