Relations between Switzerland and Mexico are close and wide-ranging. The two countries are active at the multilateral level in particular, often adopting similar positions. Mexico is Switzerland's second largest trading partner in Latin America and there are substantial trade flows between the two countries.
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Mexico
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Switzerland and Mexico have close political ties. The two countries have entered into agreements in a number of areas: air transport, double taxation, visas, investment and mutual legal assistance. Senior officials from Mexico's Secretariat of Foreign Affairs and Switzerland's Department of Foreign Affairs meet at regular intervals for discussions on political matters, trade, human rights and multilateral affairs. Switzerland and Mexico work closely together in international forums.
The two countries work bilaterally to address economic issues within the framework of the EFTA-Mexico free trade agreement, which is currently being amended. The Swiss embassy in Mexico is also responsible for diplomatic relations with Belize.
Economic cooperation
Switzerland and Mexico have committed to boosting trade under the EFTA-Mexico free trade agreement. Exploratory discussions are under way with a view to updating the agreement. Switzerland is one of Mexico's largest foreign investors, with a stock of direct investments totalling CHF 5.9 billion in 2019. Swiss companies employ over 40,200 people in Mexico.
In 2020, Switzerland imported goods worth CHF 1 billion from Mexico and exported goods worth CHF 1.28 billion.
Switzerland Global Enterprise opened a Swiss Business Hub Hub in May 2012. The Swiss-Mexican Chamber of Commerce was established in November 2012 in Mexico City.
Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise
Swiss-Mexican Chamber of Commerce (es)
Information on countries, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
Switzerland and Mexico have been cooperating on vocational education and training since November 2016. The Mexican Ministry for Public Education and the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) have signed a letter of intent in furtherance of this objective.
Mexico is also a priority country for the Latin-American-Swiss Center (CLS-HSG), which is the leading house house responsible for coordinating activities in Latin America for the 2021–24 period.
Researchers who are citizens of Mexico can apply to SERI for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars, SERI
Peacebuilding and human security
The Swiss embassy regularly oversees projects in the area of human security.
Swiss nationals in Mexico
At the end of 2020 there were 5,210 Swiss nationals living in Mexico. The Swiss Embassy in Mexico City and the honorary consulates in Cancún, Guadalajara and Monterrey are responsible for administrative matters.
There are three Swiss schools in Mexico, located in Mexico City, Cuernavaca and Querétaro.
History of bilateral relations
The United Mexican States gained independence from Spain in 1821. In 1827, Switzerland opened an honorary consulate in Mexico City. Interactions between the two countries, primarily involving trade, began in the mid-1800s. In 1945, Switzerland opened a legation in Mexico, which was upgraded to an embassy in 1958. In 2020–21, subject to the COVID-19 restrictions, the Swiss embassy in Mexico organised a varied cultural programme to mark the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations.
