Dear Visitors,

I warmly welcome you to our website, which aims to inform you about the various services, responsibilities, and activities of the Embassy of Switzerland in Bulgaria, located in Sofia.

Our main mandate is to:

• Promote relations between Switzerland and Bulgaria;
• Defend Swiss interests and values in Bulgaria, with a focus on economy, innovation, sustainability, as well as science, education, and culture;
• Implement Switzerland’s second contribution to Bulgaria (supporting the EU’s social and economic cohesion);
• Maintain close ties with the Swiss community living in Bulgaria (consular affairs are handled by our embassy in Bucharest).

Switzerland and Bulgaria have maintained diplomatic relations for over a century: Switzerland opened a consulate in Sofia in 1911, while Bulgaria’s first ambassador took office in Bern in 1916. Of course, the ties between our two countries go back even further. A symbol of this historic friendship is the Swiss national Louis Eyer, who laid the foundations of sports education in Bulgaria at the end of the 19th century and whose memory is still honored today. Many notable individuals have shaped and continue to enrich the relationship between our two countries.

Today, our bilateral relations are rich and diverse. Bulgaria is an important partner for Switzerland. Its EU membership since 2007 and, since 2025, its inclusion in the Schengen area, add further depth to this partnership. Exchanges in all areas are progressing. Here are a few highlights:

Economically, Switzerland is among the most significant foreign investors. In promoting Swiss economic interests, the Embassy also works with the Bulgarian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce (BSCC), which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024. The BSCC serves as a platform for Swiss and Bulgarian companies seeking to strengthen economic exchanges between the two countries.

In education, there are numerous exchanges between universities, and Switzerland has been offering excellence scholarships to Bulgaria for decades: ESKAS. In research and innovation, the success of INSAIT – the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology – is a remarkable example of Swiss-Bulgarian cooperation, based on partnerships with ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne.

Culturally, exchanges are equally dynamic. Many independent bilateral projects in the arts – such as painting, music (e.g., the Festival Allegra supported by this Embassy), and literature – enrich this relationship. The Swiss foundation Pro Helvetia  also regularly supports Swiss artists performing in Bulgaria.

Solidarity has always been a constant in our bilateral relations. Since the early 1990s, Switzerland has supported Bulgaria’s transition through technical and financial assistance in various forms. This is currently known as the Second Swiss Contribution and is part of Switzerland’s efforts to reduce economic and social disparities within the European Union. Through the Swiss Contribution Office at this Embassy, three different Swiss agencies are represented in Bulgaria: SDC and SECO for the cohesion component of the second contribution, and SEM for the migration component.

Finally, the Swiss community in Bulgaria, numbering over 550 people, is a very important link between our two countries.

Our Embassy is at your service. If you need more information, simply contact us by email or by phone at sofia@eda.admin.ch / 02 942 01 00.

To stay informed about our tasks and activities, I invite you to follow us on our various social media channels.

Together with my team, I look forward to staying in touch with you.

With my best regards,

Pierre Hagmann
Ambassador of Switzerland to Bulgaria