Published on 9 September 2026

Bilateral relations Switzerland–Egypt

Relations between Switzerland and Egypt are good and wide-ranging, with bilateral economic relations particularly close and growing rapidly. Egypt is a priority country for Swiss international cooperation, and the two nations are deeply engaged on matters of culture and cultural heritage. Egypt is also a popular destination for tourists from Switzerland.

Based on the Treaty of Friendship signed in 1934, political relations between Switzerland and Egypt have been historically good. The two countries have concluded dozens of bilateral agreements in a variety of fields. There are regular ministerial-level meetings and annual bilateral political consultations, which also provide a forum for dialogue on common interests such as developments in the Middle East, North Africa and the Horn of Africa.

Treaty database

Economic cooperation

Egypt is Africa's second-largest economy, thanks to a diversified productive base and a vast domestic market of 110 million people. A member of the BRICS+ group since 2024, its strategic geographical location makes it an important regional hub and, for Swiss businesses, a gateway to African markets. Egypt is the principal African market for Swiss exports, which amounted to CHF 1.2 billion francs in 2024. Switzerland and Egypt have a comprehensive framework of economic agreements that cover areas such as free trade, investment protection and tax. In 2025 Egypt became only the second African country to have a joint economic commission with Switzerland.

Country Cockpit, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO

Swiss foreign trade statistics, Federal Office for Customs and Border Security FOCBS

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE)

Swiss-Egyptian chamber of commerce, SwissCham Egypt

Cooperation on education, research and innovation

Researchers and artists who are citizens of Egypt can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists (SERI)

Peacebuilding and human security

Egypt is a priority country for Switzerland's international cooperation within the framework of a programme co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) at the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), and the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) at the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP). The 2025–28 programme supports both the corresponding strategic direction set by the Swiss government, and Egypt's development priorities. It is intended to protect human life, promote green economic growth, and improve governance in Egypt.

Swiss Cooperation Programme in Egypt 2025–28

Cultural exchanges

Switzerland and Egypt maintain close cultural ties in many areas. The Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia and its branch office in Cairo promote contact with Egyptian cultural actors, initiate co-productions between artists, and organise residencies.

Pro Helvetia Cairo

Cooperation on cultural heritage is particularly close. Founded in 1949, the Swiss Institute for Architectural and Archaeological Research on Ancient Egypt in Cairo is dedicated first and foremost to the study of ancient Egyptian architecture, history and culture. Switzerland has also taken an active part in several major archaeological missions in Egypt.

Swiss Institute for Architectural and Archaeological Research on Ancient Egypt in Cairo

Switzerland and Egypt work together closely to combat the illegal trade in cultural property. This work was formalised in a bilateral agreement in 2010 and has facilitated the return of 80 objects to date.

Transfer of cultural property (FOC)

Swiss nationals in Egypt

According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, there were 1,487 Swiss nationals living in Egypt at the end of 2025.

History of bilateral relations

Switzerland took part in important steps of the process leading to Egypt's independence. A peace conference was held in 1923 in Lausanne, where the Republic of Turkey relinquished all rights concerning Egypt. In 1924 Switzerland recognised the independence of Egypt and in 1934 signed a treaty of friendship.

In 1935 Switzerland opened a chancellery in Cairo, which in 1945 was replaced by a legation (embassy from 1957). Thanks to its neutrality Switzerland represented the interests of several states in Egypt during the Second World War and the decades thereafter. Today, Switzerland still represents the interests of Iran in Egypt (since 1979).

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

Diplomatic Documents of Switzerland, Dodis

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