Published on 28 September 2026

Bilateral relations Switzerland–Libya

Switzerland and Libya maintain diplomatic relations mainly focused on peace promotion and migration governance.

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

Switzerland contributes to the protection of the population and the stabilization of the country through its humanitarian aid and peace promotion work. It supports the UN peace process and co-chairs the working group on international humanitarian law and human rights within the framework of the Berlin process on Libya. Switzerland also promotes dialogue and national reconciliation efforts through its good offices and multilateral engagement. Libya is also a key focus country for Switzerland in terms of migration policy.

Treaty Database

Economic Cooperation

In 2009, Libya was Switzerland's second largest trading partner in Africa. Trade with Libya fell as a result of the diplomatic crisis with the then Libyan government and its embargo on Switzerland, but also because of the conflict that has gripped the country since 2011.

For a very long time, Libya was Switzerland's main supplier of crude oil, but imports have fallen sharply since 2015. The volume of trade between the two countries amounted to CHF 242.8 million in 2023.

Country Cockpit, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise SGE

Trade statistics (Federal Office for Customs and Border Security)

Migration and Protection

Switzerland supports protection-related activities in Libya and aims at strengthening migration governance. It seeks to enhance the capacities of the Libyan passport authority and of representations of countries of origin to provide assistance to stranded migrants. Switzerland also deploys a Delegate for Migration based in Tunis who is responsible for Libya.

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

Researchers and artists who are citizens of Libya can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI

Peacepromotion and human security

Switzerland traditionally acts as host state for the UN's political processes, playing an active role in the Berlin process as a member of the working group to promote respect for international humanitarian law and human rights, which it co-chairs. Switzerland supports processes aimed at promoting dialogue and conflict transformation at local and national level. It promotes a Libyan-led and Libyan owned political process under the UN auspices and supports initiatives aimed at advancing national reconciliation.

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid

Switzerland contributes to humanitarian dialogue and international coordination efforts aimed at improving protection of people affected by instability in Libya.

Swiss nationals in Libya

In 2026, there were 59 Swiss citizens living in Libya.

History of bilateral relations

Switzerland recognized the State of Libya as soon as it declared independence in 1951. At that time, there were barely a dozen Swiss nationals in the country. Their number increased rapidly with the establishment of several oil companies on its territory, which led to an influx of mainly geologists, technicians and other specialists. Swiss lawyers such as Eduard Zellweger (1901 – 1975) acted as advisers to the government of the new state.

The Swiss embassy in Tunisia safeguarded Switzerland's interests in Libya from 1962 to 1965, at which point Switzerland opened a consulate in the Libyan capital, upgrading it to an embassy in 1968. The embassy has been temporarily closed since 2014.

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

Diplomatic documents of Switzerland, Dodis

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