Germany and Switzerland enjoy close, wide-ranging and good-neighbourly relations. The two countries pursue similar goals in their social, economic and foreign policy. Consultations and meetings are held regularly at ministerial and state-secretary level. Based on the free movement of citizens of the two countries, a large number of Germans work or study in Switzerland. Cross-border regional cooperation including frontier workers is a focus of bilateral relations.

Germany remains Switzerland’s most important economic partner. The basis of this close economic exchange is the far-reaching mutual market access granted on the basis of the many sectoral Agreements between the EU and Switzerland (bilateral treaties).

Cultural ties are very close and wide-ranging because the German language and German culture pervade large parts of Switzerland. Every year, Germans take part in a host of events in all areas of culture.