Published on 19 October 2026

Bilateral relations Switzerland–Colombia

Switzerland has maintained diplomatic relations with Colombia since 1911. Relations are good, close and diversified, strengthened by regular political consultations and high-level meetings. Colombia is one of Switzerland's priority countries in the fields of economic cooperation, humanitarian aid and peacebuilding.

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

Relations between Switzerland and Colombia are good, close and diversified. They vary from bilateral trade promotion, economic development, and cultural and multilateral cooperation to humanitarian aid and peacebuilding.

Switzerland and Colombia have concluded a number of agreements in the following areas: investment protection, free trade, double taxation, mutual legal assistance, air transport, scientific cooperation and the protection of cultural property.

Treaty Database

Government of Colombia (es)

Virtual library of Colombian international treaties

Economic cooperation

In 2025, Switzerland imported a total of CHF 698 million in goods from Colombia, mainly precious stones and metals, and agricultural products. Swiss exports to Colombia amounted to CHF 581 million and mainly comprised chemical and pharmaceutical products, machinery, watches and precision instruments. Economic relations between Switzerland and Colombia are based on a robust legal framework. A free trade agreement between the EFTA states and Colombia has been in effect since 2011. Switzerland and Colombia concluded an agreement on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments in 2009 and a double taxation agreement in 2011.

Country Cockpit, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE)

Swiss–Colombian chamber of commerce (es)

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

Each year, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) awards Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to foreign researchers. Researchers and artists who are citizens of Colombia may submit their applications via COLFUTURO or ICETEX (see links below).

The University of St Gallen (HSG) is the leading house responsible for Swiss cooperation with Latin American institutions. It offers various funding instruments to facilitate exchange between Colombian and Swiss researchers. It also organises academic and industry-focused training programmes to support young companies from both countries with marketing their products.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI

Young professionals, State Secretariat for Migration SEM

Leading house for Latin America (University of St Gallen)

Academia Industry Training (AIT)

COLFUTURO (es)

ICETEX (es)

Peace and Human Rights (PHRD)

Colombia has been a priority country for Swiss peace and human rights policy since 2002. Switzerland backs Colombia's conflict resolution efforts and is supporting several peace processes in the country. The current Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) programme focuses on peace negotiations, human rights, the political participation of civil society, dealing with the past and transitional justice.

Peace and Human Rights (PHRD)

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid

Since 2001, the SDC's humanitarian aid programme has focused on supporting and protecting the civilian population affected by the conflict in Colombia. Colombia is also part of the SDC's Andean programme, which addresses climate change adaptation and sustainable water management.

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid (SDC)

Cultural exchanges

Colombia is a priority country for Switzerland's Federal Office of Culture. Switzerland and Colombia also collaborate under a 2011 agreement on the importation and repatriation of cultural property.

Swiss nationals in Colombia

According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, 2,335 Swiss citizens were living in Colombia at the end of 2025.

History of bilateral relations

Switzerland has maintained consular and diplomatic relations with Colombia since the end of the 19th century. A treaty on friendship, settlement and trade that was concluded in 1908 improved the position of the Swiss community. Switzerland opened a consulate in Bogotá in 1911, which was upgraded to a legation in 1940 (when credentials were presented for the first time) and an embassy in 1958. In 1974, the Colombian–Swiss chamber of commerce was founded in Bogotá.

The Swiss community in Colombia founded the Colegio Helvetia de Bogotá in 1949. The school offers a Colombian–Swiss baccalaureate in either German or French.

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

Diplomatic Documents of Switzerland, Dodis

Colegio Helvetia de Bogotá

Documents

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