Bilateral relations between Switzerland and the United Kingdom

Switzerland and the United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) have had close relations for a long time. Switzerland was already a favourite destination of British tourists in the 19th century. From 1900 on, Great Britain maintained 12 consulates in Switzerland. During World War II, Switzerland represented British interests in Germany, Japan, Italy, France, Bulgaria, China, Romania, Thailand and Hungary from 1941 to 1945.

Contacts between Switzerland and the UK are still very close today. In 2003 the foreign secretaries of the two countries adopted a joint document on increased cooperation in five areas: the United Nations (UN), southeastern Europe, international security, humanitarian international law and European integration. There is a regular exchange of ideas on these topics.

For Swiss investors, the UK is the second most important market in the world. Trade between the two countries is brisk. Around 700 Swiss companies are doing business in the UK. They provide over 100,000 jobs.