Published on 3 July 2026

Protocol Regulations

The Swiss Confederation's protocol regulations define the framework for Switzerland's diplomatic relations and visits by foreign dignitaries. Approved by the Federal Council in 2026, they are based on the Federal Constitution, Federal Council decisions and international diplomatic law and practice. They ensure dignified and coordinated official international events while guaranteeing equal treatment and respect for precedence.

The Protocol Regulations contain important Protocol-related rules. — © FDFA

The regulations specify that the Protocol of the FDFA is the authority responsible for protocol matters relating to official international events of the Federal Council and for administering the regime of diplomatic and consular privileges and immunities. The FDFA Protocol ensures the implementation of the regulations in all areas of application, where necessary in coordination with the relevant cantonal and municipal authorities.

The regulations govern diplomatic procedures such as the accreditation of new ambassadors, the organisation of official events such as receptions and functions in honour of the diplomatic corps, and official visits by senior foreign dignitaries. Finally, it includes provisions relating to general rules of protocol, in particular the order of precedence applicable in Switzerland, as well as chapters devoted to certain specific situations (e.g. the death of a Head of State).

Order of precedence in Switzerland

The Swiss Confederation's protocol regulations establish an official order of precedence governing, in particular, the reception, the order of speeches and the alignment of flags during visits by official foreign delegations, thus ensuring that all official guests of Switzerland are treated with dignity and fairness.

• Precedence of members of the diplomatic corps

  The order of precedence defines the order and sequence of treatment of Swiss officials and foreign dignitaries at official international events to ensure dignified and equitable treatment:

  • The Federal Council in corpore: President of the Confederation, Vice-President of the Federal Council, then the members of the Federal Council according to the date of their election.
  • Other Swiss authorities: President of the National Council, President of the Council of States, Federal Chancellor, President of the Federal Supreme Court, former members of the Federal Council, members of cantonal governments.
  • Members of the diplomatic corps: Apostolic Nuncio, Ambassadors, Chargés d'affaires, Ministers, Counsellors and Attachés.
  • Members of the consular corps: Consuls-General, Consuls, Vice-Consuls and consular agents.

  The order of precedence is determined by function, title, seniority, date of entry into office and, where applicable, age. A table detailing the order of precedence is included in the appendix to the Confederation's Protocol Regulations, and the FDFA Protocol is available for further clarification.

• Federal flag and order of flags

  A national flag is an official symbol of the sovereignty and dignity of the state concerned. In accordance with the regulations on flags, when receiving foreign delegations, the positioning and order of Swiss and foreign flags must comply with protocol requirements and international customs.

Special provisions

The protocol regulations cover numerous protocol issues that may concern not only the FDFA, but also other Swiss authorities, particularly at cantonal, municipal and military level.

• Visits to the cantons by heads of diplomatic missions

  Official visits by heads of diplomatic missions to cantonal authorities are neither considered mandatory nor customary. Under the Federal Constitution, foreign affairs fall within the jurisdiction of the Confederation. Each canton is therefore sovereign in this area and receives heads of diplomatic missions according to its own criteria.

  In principle, these visits should focus on cantons in which the states concerned have particular interests and with which they maintain close relations. This applies in particular to cantons where the states have consular representation, where they have direct commercial interests, or where a large number of their nationals have taken up residence.

  Heads of diplomatic missions must ensure that the number of visits to cantons is limited to four per year; they must submit a request by verbal note to the FDFA Protocol, which coordinates with the cantons. Only visits to the authorities of the canton of residence of the head of mission and visits to municipal or communal governments may be organised directly by the diplomatic missions concerned.

• Awarding of decorations or titles

  As provided for in the protocol regulations, diplomatic missions whose government intends to award a decoration or title to a Swiss citizen are requested to consult FDFA Protocol in advance by means of a note verbale. FDFA Protocol must be provided with the surname, first name, date of birth, current address and, if possible, the profession of the person concerned.

  In accordance with Art. 21 para. 4 of the Federal Personnel Act, Swiss employees of the Swiss Confederation are prohibited from accepting titles or decorations awarded by foreign authorities. This legal prohibition also applies to members of the Federal Assembly, members of the Federal Council, judges of the Federal Supreme Court, the Federal Administrative Court and the Federal Criminal Court, Swiss military personnel and staff of the federal polytechnic schools.]

• Military Protocol

  The Military Protocol, as the liaison body between defence attachés accredited in Switzerland and the civil and military authorities, the army command and Swiss military personnel, determines the order of precedence of foreign defence attachés and their representatives, as well as the rules governing the wearing of foreign military uniforms in Switzerland. For further details and to request the current order of precedence, please refer to the Military Protocol website.

Links

• Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (fr)

Documents

• Order of precedence

  French

  PDF193.66 kB9 June 2026

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