Switzerland’s policy of neutrality

Switzerland has been neutral for the better part of the past 400 years. According to the Swiss Constitution, preserving neutrality is the joint responsibility of the Federal Council and Parliament. This neutrality is permanent and armed, and it gives Switzerland some leeway to safeguard its national interests.

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History

Religious and social tensions shaped the Swiss Confederacy in the 17th century and led to armed conflicts. Nevertheless, the confederated cantons succeeded in staying out of the Thirty Years’ War (1618–48), which devastated large parts of Europe. This success was the foundation for the development of the maxim of neutrality in Swiss foreign policy. Already in 1647, the Federal Diet of Switzerland – a precursor to the Federal Council and Parliament – mentioned neutrality in writing.

With the defeat of Napoleon, the great European powers recognised Swiss neutrality at the Congress of Vienna, respectively with the Treaty of Paris in 1815, setting Switzerland’s borders as they are today. And since the founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1848, neutrality has been an important element of its security and foreign policy.

Switzerland’s neutrality is credited with keeping it intact during the First World War, amid tensions between major European powers and national movements in neighbouring states. At that time, taking sides against foreign powers might have torn Switzerland apart along confessional and linguistic-cultural lines.

A period of active Swiss foreign policy began after 1919, when Switzerland’s neutrality was recognised “for the maintenance of peace” in the Treaty of Versailles. In 1920, Switzerland joined the League of Nations.

At the beginning of the Second World War, the Federal Council reaffirmed Switzerland’s neutrality, which was recognised by the warring parties. After 1945, during the Cold War’s political tension between East and West, Switzerland adopted a very strict and narrow approach to its neutrality compared to other neutral states – initially refraining from joining international organisations with political character. It did not join the Council of Europe until 1963, and in Helsinki in 1975, it signed the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, now the OSCE. In the Helsinki Final Act, the participating states recognised the right to neutrality for all members.

The upheaval following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union fundamentally changed Switzerland’s foreign and security policy environment. The Federal Council decided to adapt its neutrality policy to fit the new post-Cold War circumstances. In 1993, it published a white paper stating that security is best achieved through cooperation that is still compatible with neutrality.

Defining Swiss neutrality

Neutrality is a Swiss foreign and security policy tool. It is based on the law of neutrality as well as on Switzerland's history and traditions.

• A legal framework

  The law of neutrality is part of international law and sets out the rights and obligations of neutral states. Switzerland's permanent neutrality is anchored in international law.

• A permanent policy

  Switzerland's permanent neutrality policy helps maintain its credibility and independence as a neutral state. Switzerland is known for its international role as a mediator in international disputes.

• An identity

  Neutrality is an important part of the identity of the Swiss people, among whom it enjoys a high level of support. It allows Switzerland to freely express political opinions on international disputes or armed conflicts while championing its fundamental values such as democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

• A humanitarian tradition

  With its long-standing tradition of good offices and humanitarian aid, Switzerland’s neutrality is often associated with peace efforts.

Today

The law of neutrality is codified in the 1907 Hague Conventions. Meanwhile new challenges have emerged over the past 100 years. For example, how does international law work in the digital space – or space in general? Since February 2022, Russia’s war against Ukraine has sparked increased discussions about neutrality in Switzerland.

From time to time, the Federal Council reviews the Swiss application of neutrality and presents its findings and considerations in a report. Its most recent one came out in October 2022, in response to a parliamentary postulate. This report found that the current practise, established in the 1993 white paper on neutrality, gives the Federal Council sufficient leeway to preserve Switzerland’s interests while taking changing circumstances into account.

The Federal Council believes in the enduring value of neutrality for Switzerland. It wants to retain neutrality as an instrument of Swiss foreign and security policy. In doing so, it aims to safeguard security, independence and prosperity while working for a peaceful international order based on international law, human rights and democracy.

Key facts on Swiss neutrality

• Swiss neutrality is permanent

  Switzerland remains neu­tral in any armed conflict between other states, whoever the warring parties are, whenever and wherever a war breaks out. This is in contrast to a state that declares itself temporarily neutral in relation to a specific armed conflict.

• Swiss neutrality is armed

  Swit­zerland has its own armed forces to defend its territory and independ­ence. Neutrality allows for military cooperation, for example in training, arms procurement and international peace support – such as NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP). These activities help Switzerland develop its military defence capabilities. However, as a neutral state, Switzerland cannot enter into any commitments which might draw it into an armed conflict.

• Swiss-made arms cannot be used in conflict

  A neutral state may not militarily favour parties in an armed conflict, whether with troops, armaments, or by making its own territory available. For this reason, Switzerland cannot export military equipment to countries engaged in armed conflict. As for export by private entities, Switzerland must treat parties to the war equally. This means it must ensure that any delivery or non-delivery of war materiel does not favour any party to the conflict.

• Switzerland can refuse overflight requests

  Nations engaged in armed conflict may not use the airspace of a neutral state for military purposes. Aircraft of other states require diplomatic clearance to transit Swiss airspace or land in Switzerland. The Swiss authorities can grant permission if the overflights do not violate Switzerland’s neutrality.

• Swiss voters will decide on the “Neutrality Initiative”

  On 27 September 2026, Swiss citizens will vote on the “Neutrality Initiative”, which is calling for a stricter interpretation and application of neutrality to be enshrined in the Federal Constitution. For example, the initiative committee wants to reduce international military cooperation and the adoption of sanctions. Both the Federal Council and Parliament are against the initiative, which they say would harm Swiss interests because of its inflexibility.