Diplomatic relations between Italy and Switzerland have traditionally been close and are currently governed by a complex set of treaties (including those with the European Union (EU), of which Italy is a member).[1]
The two countries share a long border, three common official languages (Italian is one of Switzerland's four official languages, German and French are recognised minority languages in Italy; moreover, Romansh is close to Ladin and Friulian, spoken in Northern Italy) and a regional language (Lombard spoken in Canton Ticino in Switzerland and Lombardy in Italy).[2] Valtellina in the Lombardy region was part of Switzerland from 1512 to 1797.[3] There are 48,000 Swiss in Italy and Italian citizens are the largest foreign group in Switzerland: 500,000 including those with dual citizenship. Switzerland was a popular destination for Italian emigrants in the 19th century and between 1950 and 1970 half of all foreigners in Switzerland were Italian. There are also more Swiss schools in Italy than any other country in the world.[1]
Relations between the two countries are represented through a range of commercial, cultural and technological relationships.
Italy is not only the second largest trading partner in Europe, but also shares with the Federation a collaboration in migration. Cooperation strengthened by the better application of the Dublin Regulation, specifically on readmission matter.
A further step has been taken with the agreement on customs and police cooperation on cross-border control and security.
History
Before the birth of the Italian state in 1861, the relations between Italian state entities and the Swiss territories were of an economic and religious nature. During 1300–1400, for example, Italian merchants and bankers participated at Geneva fairs contributing to their development.[citation needed]
Switzerland established Milan as a protectorate of the Confederation between 1512 and 1515.[4] In 1515, the Swiss helped defend the Duchy of Milan against a French invasion.[5]
In the period of Restoration (1815-1848) the Lombard Enlightenment had an important influence on the Swiss territories, Milan, in fact, became a place of education for the Ticinesi.[citation needed]
During the Revolutions of 1848 in the Italian states many Swiss supported the Italian cause, in particular, in the five days of Milan Swiss volunteers fought with the Lombardy-Venetia against the Austrians. Following the capture of Milan in August 1848 some Italian revolutionaries took refuge in Switzerland.[6]
In the Risorgimento era, various Italian patriots, including Cavour, the prime minister of the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, became interested in conquering the Ticino Canton and the Italian-speaking valleys of Graubünden. The proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 was perceived with relief by Switzerland, as it provided security for the country's neutrality.[7]
Between 1870 and 1914, there was a large influx of Italian immigrants into Switzerland. This was encouraged by the 1868 treaty of domicile and consulate which ensured freedom of access and domicile in the respective countries. Italian immigrants constituted unskilled labour employed mainly for the construction of railways.[citation needed]
During the First World War, the Italian government was committed to respecting Swiss neutrality and after the war with the establishment of Fascism, bilateral relations were characterized by a policy based on friendship. The two countries concluded a new treaty of commerce (1923) and a treaty of conciliation and judicial regulation (1924).[6]
As in the First World War also in the Second World War Italy recognized the neutrality of Switzerland in 1938, but among the expansion projects exposed by Mussolini on November 30, 1938, to the Great Council of Fascism there was also the Canton of Ticino.[8]
With the end of the Second World War there was a wave of migration to Switzerland mainly due to the fact that the Swiss production system was not affected by the damage of war and Swiss entrepreneurs sought low-cost Italian labour. The Swiss government, however, tried to limit the migration to seasonal work and concluded an agreement in 1948. This agreement stated that workers could not move in Swiss territory and remained tied to those who had hired them. In addition, family reunification was not allowed. This agreement created several tensions between the two countries and for this reason another one was signed in 1964 that allowed reunification.[9]
Following the oil crisis that began in 1973, many Italian workers in Switzerland returned to Italy.[citation needed]
Business Relations
Italy is Switzerland's second largest trading partner and Switzerland is Italy's 8th largest investor (CHF 22bn) creating 78,000 jobs. The Lombardy Region represents 90% of all Switzerland's trading with Italy according to former federal councillor Ueli Maurer.[10] Italy invests CHF 6bn in Switzerland and creates 13,000 jobs.[1] The two are strongly integrated through the EU's treaties with Switzerland and Switzerland is also part of the EU's Schengen Area.
History of Economic Relations
Trade relations between the two countries were favored by geographical proximity and their membership in the Latin Monetary Union. The opening of the Gotthard tunnel and the port of Geneva also favored relations.
The Italian protectionist turn in the 1970s led to a partial slowdown of trade relations, which created the condition for a revision of trade treaties. Although the revision took place, trade balance remained clearly in favor of Italy.[citation needed]
Until 1970, the Swiss market was the only one with which Italy benefited from a constant trade surplus, already at the beginning of the 20th century Swiss investors and companies gave important impulses to the peninsula.[citation needed]
Bilateral trade was not visibly affected by Italy's participation in war, a clear sign was the opening of Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Italy in 1919. This period was also characterized by a relative decrease in Swiss imports from Italy although exports remained constant, this turned out on the reduction of trade balance favorable to Italy.[11]
After the war in Ethiopia, the Swiss financial center and in particular the credit institutions, played a central role in the transfer of credit to Italy.[citation needed]
The end of the Second World War gave a new start to bilateral trade:
In 1950, both countries joined the European Payments Union.[12] As a result, new trade agreements and payment methods led to a new period of liberalization of bilateral trade and stability in terms of trade volume.
This period is featured by a large amount of investment from the Confederation to the peninsula:
The Swiss financial center stood out for its fundamental role in the assignment of receivables to Italian companies and institutions. State railways received a loan from the Swiss financial center and used it to strengthen and electrify the railway lines that connected northern Italy to Switzerland.
About 50% of the Swiss FDI in Italy was concentrated in the north of the country. The importance of Swiss direct investment in Italy was often explained by the influx of Italian capital illegally exported to the confederation, which made Lugano the third financial center of the country.[13]
Contemporary economic relations
Switzerland is one of Italy's most important trading partners. In 2021, Switzerland exported goods worth US$13.2 billion to Italy and imported goods worth US$32.2 billion, resulting in a total trade volume of US$45.4 billion. Investment flows in both directions are of major economic significance for both countries.[14]
In 2020:
Swiss direct investments in Italy amounted to EUR 28.9 billion
Italian direct investments in Switzerland totaled EUR 18.4 billion.[15]
Exchanges are close in border regions. Over 70000 Italians cross the border to work in Switzerland. At the end of 2017 there were about a thousand Italian companies in Switzerland, which hire 21,000 employees, mainly in the following sectors: clothing, finance, food and construction. Specifically for the construction sector, the Italian Chamber of Commerce for Switzerland, has launched an initiative called Investment4Business,[16] which facilitates and promotes investments in real estate business between the two countries.[17]
The "Istituto Svizzero"
In 1947 Switzerland founded the “Istituto Svizzero di Roma”, which was created to enhance the cooperation between Italy and Switzerland in the cultural and the scientific fields. This institute participates in various projects like the “settimana della lingua italiana nel mondo” which is an initiative of the Italian foreign ministry.[18] The institute aims to extend the influence of Switzerland culture beyond its borders.[19] The structure offers exhibitions, conferences, meetings in Rome, Milan, and Palermo. Every year the institute hosts young researchers or artists. Exchange students attending these programs study Italian, which is one of the four Swiss national languages.[20]
The institute supports Swiss projects and research in Italy. In this way the cooperation and the cultural and scientific exchange between the two countries is enhanced. The main objectives of the structure are:
Offer young people the possibility to develop their projects (scientific or artistic) and to participate actively in the Italian activities.
Develop artistic and scientific collaborations between Switzerland and Italy.
Promote Swiss education, research and innovation in Italy
Italy and Switzerland diplomatic relations are based on the conclusion of 22 treaties[21] and on regular meetings between the representatives of the two governments.[1]
Ticino, sometimes Tessin, officially the Republic and Canton of Ticino or less formally the Canton of Ticino, is one of the 26 cantons forming the Swiss Confederation. It is composed of eight districts and its capital city is Bellinzona. It is also traditionally divided into the Sopraceneri and the Sottoceneri, respectively north and south of Monte Ceneri. Red and blue are the colours of its flag.
Lugano is a city and municipality within the Lugano District in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. It is the largest city in both Ticino and the Italian-speaking region of southern Switzerland. Lugano has a population of 62,315, and an urban agglomeration of over 150,000. It is the ninth largest Swiss city.
Lake Lugano is a glacial lake which is situated on the border between southern Switzerland and northern Italy. The lake, named after the city of Lugano, is situated between Lake Como and Lago Maggiore. It was cited for the first time by Gregory of Tours in 590 with the name Ceresio, a name which is said to have derived from the Latin word cerasus, meaning cherry, and refers to the abundance of cherry trees which at one time adorned the shores of the lake. The lake appears in documents in 804 under the name Laco Luanasco.
Campione d'Italia, is a comune of the Province of Como in the Lombardy region of Italy and an enclave surrounded by the Swiss canton of Ticino. It is also an exclave. At its closest, the enclave is less than one kilometre (0.6 mi) from the rest of Italy, but the intervening mountainous terrain requires a journey by road through the Swiss village of Bissone of over 14 km (9 mi) to reach the nearest Italian town, Lanzo d'Intelvi, and over 28 km (17 mi) to reach the city of Como.
The Ticinese dialect is the set of dialects, belonging to the Alpine and Western branch of the Lombard language, spoken in the northern part of the Canton of Ticino (Sopraceneri); the dialects of the region can generally vary from valley to valley, often even between single localities, while retaining the mutual intelligibility that is typical of the Lombard linguistic continuum.
Switzerland is not a member state of the European Union (EU). It is associated with the Union through a series of bilateral treaties in which Switzerland has adopted various provisions of European Union law in order to participate in the Union's single market, without joining as a member state. Among Switzerland's neighbouring countries, all but one are EU member states.
Diplomatic relations between Switzerland and the United States were established in 1853 by the U.S. and in 1868 by Switzerland. The first diplomatic representation of the U.S. was established in Basel in 1853.
Russia–Switzerland relations are foreign relations between Russia and Switzerland. Switzerland opened a consulate in Saint Petersburg in 1816, upgrading it to a legation 90 years later. The two countries broke off diplomatic relations in 1923, when Russia was going through a period of revolutionary turmoil – and they were not resumed until 1946. Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, relations became tense after Switzerland imposed sanctions against Russia. Russia placed Switzerland on a list of "unfriendly countries".
Iran–Switzerland relations are foreign relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Swiss Confederation.
Diplomatic relations between France and Switzerland have traditionally been close, through important economic and cultural exchanges. Switzerland and France, share about 600 km of border and a language.
Foreign relations exist between the alpine nations of Austria and Switzerland. Both countries have had diplomatic relations since the Middle Ages. The Habsburgs, who ruled Austria for more than six centuries, are originally from Aargau, Switzerland. The two countries are predominantly German-speaking. Austria has an embassy in Bern, a general consulate in Zürich and seven honorary consulates. Switzerland has an embassy in Vienna and six honorary consulates. Together, both countries organized the Euro 2008.
Swiss–Turkish relations are foreign relations between Switzerland and Turkey. Switzerland has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul. Turkey has an embassy in Bern and consulates-general in Zürich and Geneva. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the OECD, the OSCE and the WTO.
The nations of Italy and Mexico first established formal diplomatic relations in 1874, following the unification of Italy. The two nations were twice on the opposite sides of 20th century conflicts: first in the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939, and later during World War II from 1942 to 1945. Mexico re-established diplomatic relations with Italy in 1946 and relations have continued unabated since.
Switzerland–Uruguay relations are foreign relations between Uruguay and Switzerland. Both countries share a long history of mutual economic relations, and they established diplomatic relations in 1828. Uruguay became a popular destination for Swiss migrants starting in the 1860s. In the 20th century, Uruguay has looked to Switzerland as a model for government, historical and cultural ties go back to at least the 19th century. There were 956 people with Swiss passports residing in Uruguay in 2008. Uruguay was described as the "Switzerland of the Americas" in a 1951 New York Times article for its popularity as a haven for capital fleeing Europe at the time and its adoption of Swiss-inspired banking laws. Thomas J. Knight also wrote that "Uruguay has for most of its history been the 'Switzerland' of South America."
The territorial evolution of Switzerland occurred primarily with the acquisition of territory by the historical cantons of the Old Swiss Confederacy and its close associates. This gradual expansion took place in two phases, the growth from the medieval Founding Cantons to the "Eight Cantons" during 1332–1353, and the expansion to the "Thirteen Cantons" of the Reformation period during 1481–1513.
China–Switzerland relations officially began in 1918. Economic relations between the two nations grew substantially in the 21st century, although relations became somewhat strained around 2020 due to Swiss criticism of China's persecution of the Uyghurs and the 2020 Hong Kong national security law. However, in 2024 relations became warmer again, with China adding Switzerland to the list of European countries whose citizens enjoy visa-free access for tourist travel. This was followed by a launch of negotiations regarding an updated free trade agreement, which were previously delayed by Swiss concerns about the human rights situation in China.
The border between the modern states of Switzerland and Italy extends for 744 kilometres (462 mi), from the French-Swiss-Italian tripoint at Mont Dolent in the west to the Austrian-Swiss-Italian tripoint near Piz Lad in the east. Much of the border runs across the High Alps, rising above 4,600 metres (15,100 ft) as it passes east of Dufourspitze, but it also descends to the lowest point in Switzerland as it passes Lago Maggiore at below 200 metres (660 ft).
India–Switzerland relations or the Indo–Swiss relations are the bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the Swiss Confederation.
Daniel Cosimo Osvaldo Leo is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Italian Serie C Group B club Perugia on loan from Crotone.
Ersilia Fossati was a Swiss politician from the canton of Ticino. She was a member of the Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland and a campaigner for women's suffrage. When Switzerland eventually granted women the federal vote on 7 February 1971, Fossati was one of the first eleven women elected to the Grand Council of Ticino in 1971.
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