Relations between Switzerland and Argentina are good, they are strengthened by regular bilateral exchanges.

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

Key concerns are the intensification of trade, Swiss investment in Argentina, cooperation in tax matters and cooperation in international bodies. Political consultations have taken place since 2005. Since May 2011, all consular services in connection with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay have been handled by the regional consular centre in Buenos Aires.

Switzerland and Argentina have also concluded bilateral agreements on trade, investment protection and double taxation.

Treaty database

Government of Argentina (es)

Economic cooperation

Argentina is Switzerland’s fourth largest trading partner and third major export destination in Latin America. In 2019, Switzerland imported goods – primarily precious metals and agricultural products – worth CHF 1.67 billion. The value of Swiss exports to Argentina – primarily chemical products, pharmaceuticals, machinery and watches – amounted to CHF 665 million.

At the end of 2018, Swiss direct investments stood at around CHF 3 billion and 11,320 people in Argentina were employed by Swiss firms.

The negotiations for the EFTA-Mercosur free trade agreement were largely completed in August 2019.

Information on countries, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise, SGE

Swiss-Argentine Chamber of Commerce (es)

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

Researchers from Argentina can apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).

A trainee exchange agreement enables young people from Argentina to acquire additional professional experience and hone their language skills in Switzerland.

There are numerous ties between universities and research institutes in the two countries. A joint research programme was launched in 2016. Under a mandate conferred by SERI, the University of St Gallen is currently coordinating research cooperation initiatives between Switzerland and Latin America.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI

Young professionals (trainees), State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)

Leading House for Latin America Region (HSG)

Swiss nationals in Argentina

Argentina is home to the largest Swiss expatriate community in Latin America. There were 15,437 Swiss nationals officially registered there at the end of 2019. Various Swiss clubs exist in Argentina as well as partnerships between cities and municipalities in the two countries.

History of bilateral relations

Switzerland has been running a consulate in Buenos Aires since 1834, followed in 1891 by its first diplomatic mission in South America. Swiss migrants founded several settlements, schools, some 50 Swiss associations and a chamber of commerce. Thousands of Argentines are of Swiss descent.

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

Diplomatic Documents of Switzerland, Dodis