Bilateral relations Switzerland–Norway

Bilateral relations between Switzerland and the Kingdom of Norway are excellent. The common challenge of European integration has served to bring the two countries closer together. Relations have been developed in particular within the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

Switzerland and Norway share a strong commitment in the fields of human security, peacebuilding, humanitarian policy and migration. Close contacts exist at the multilateral level, both within international (e.g. the UN) and regional organisations (e.g. the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)).

Treaty database

Economic cooperation

As neither of them is a member of the European Union, Switzerland and Norway maintain close contacts within the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the World Trade Association (WTO). In 2020, goods worth a total of CHF 783 million were exported from Switzerland to Norway and CHF 331 million worth of goods were imported into Switzerland. The balance of trade is therefore in Switzerland's favour.

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise

Country Information, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

The Swiss Embassy in Oslo supports the activities of the «International Students Union of Norway» (ISU Norway) as a partner. This independent student organisation is active in defending the social, academic and political interests of all international students in Norway.

International Students Union of Norway, ISU Norway

Researchers and artists from Norway can apply to the State Secretariat for Education Research and Innovation (SERI) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI

Swiss nationals in Norway

According to the Statistics on the Swiss Abroad, 2,788 Swiss nationals were living in Norway at the end of 2021.

Statistics on the Swiss Abroad

History of bilateral relations

Switzerland opened a consulate in Oslo in 1847 (which was upgraded to a consulate general in 1921). Norway established a consulate general in Zurich in 1906. In 1918, the Norwegian ambassador in Rome was accredited to Bern and the Swiss representative in Stockholm was accredited to Oslo. The legations that were opened in Bern and Oslo after the Second World War were upgraded to the status of embassy in 1955 and 1957 respectively.

Since 1951, the Swiss ambassador in Oslo has also been accredited to Iceland. In 2006, King Harald and Queen Sonja made a state visit to Switzerland. In 2020, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis was invited on an official visit to Oslo.

Norway, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)