Relations between Switzerland and Mexico are close and wide-ranging. Both countries are active at the multilateral level and often pursue similar interests. Trade between the two nations is strong: Mexico is Switzerland's second-largest trading partner in Latin America.
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Mexico
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Political relations between Switzerland and Mexico are good. As a G20 and OECD member state, Mexico is an important political and economic partner for Switzerland. The two countries have signed bilateral agreements in a number of areas, including air transport, double taxation, visas, investment promotion and mutual legal assistance.
Switzerland and Mexico hold regular consultations on political and economic issues, human rights and multilateral matters. Cooperation between the two countries is particularly close at the multilateral level.
The two countries work to address economic issues bilaterally as well as 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 free trade agreement. Switzerland is one of Mexico's largest foreign investors, with direct investments totalling CHF 8.8 billion in 2022. During that same year, more than 54,986 people were working for Swiss companies in Mexico.
In 2023, Switzerland imported goods worth CHF 2.6 billion, mainly precious metals, vehicles and machinery. Swiss exports to Mexico in that year totalled CHF 2 billion, and consisted mainly of pharmaceutical and chemical products, machinery, precision instruments, watches and jewellery.
To promote trade, a Swiss Business Hub was opened in Mexico in May 2012 by Switzerland Global Enterprise (SGE) and a Swiss-Mexican chamber of commerce (SwissCham Mexico) was established there in November 2016.
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 responsible for coordinating activities in Latin America for the period 2021–24.
Researchers and artists 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
Mexico and Switzerland cooperate in many areas at the multilateral level, including the death penalty, women's rights, drugs, and human rights. In addition, the Swiss embassy regularly oversees projects in the area of human rights.
Cultural exchange
Three agreements in the areas of culture and education entered into force in 2018: one on joint cinematographic production, another on the transfer of cultural goods, and the third on bi-cultural schools ('Colegios Suizos').
Swiss nationals in Mexico
There were 5,289 Swiss nationals living in Mexico at the end of 2023. 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.
