Published on 28 August 2026

Bilateral relations Switzerland–Bahrain

Switzerland and Bahrain have maintained diplomatic relations for over 50 years and have steadily expanded their cooperation.

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

The focus of dialogue is on the economy and finance, as well as human rights and peacebuilding. As a regional financial hub, Bahrain is particularly attractive to Swiss financial institutions. Switzerland and Bahrain have concluded a number of agreements, including in the areas of civil aviation, double taxation, free trade and investment protection.

Treaty database

Economic cooperation

Trade between Switzerland and Bahrain amounted to around CHF 359 million in 2025. Switzerland mainly exports watches and jewellery, chemical and pharmaceutical products, and precious metals. Its imports consist primarily of watches and jewellery, and other non-precious metals. Switzerland supports Swiss companies wishing to capitalise on opportunities in Bahrain.

Country Cockpit, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE)

Swiss Business Hub Middle East

Double taxation agreements

Cooperation on education, research and innovation

The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO) acts as the ‘leading house’ for the MENA region on behalf of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and provides tools to promote bilateral cooperation in research and innovation. Researchers and artists who are citizens of Bahrain can apply to SERI for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.

Leading House MENA project

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists

Peacebuilding and human security

Switzerland actively promotes dialogue between the states of the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. It uses major events and its close cooperation with the private sector to promote human rights through initiatives in the field of labour migration.

Cultural exchanges

Switzerland regularly takes part in the celebrations to mark the International Day of La Francophonie and Italian Language Week.

Swiss nationals in Bahrain

There were 91 Swiss nationals living in Bahrain at the end of 2025.

History of bilateral relations

Switzerland has maintained diplomatic relations with Bahrain since 1971. Since 2016, Swiss interests in Bahrain have been represented by the Swiss embassy in Abu Dhabi. Switzerland also maintains an honorary consulate in the capital, Manama. Bahrain is represented in Switzerland by its embassy in Paris.

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

Diplomatic Documents of Switzerland, Dodis

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