List of BITs
Switzerland has an extensive network of bilateral investment protection agreements (BITs). The overview below provides information on the individual agreements, their status, and key details regarding their signature, entry into force, and any specific features.
Date of signing: 22.09.1992
Entry into force: 30.04.1993
Date of signing: 30.11.2004
Entry into force: 15.08.2005
Date of signing: 30.11.2004
Entry into force: 15.08.2005
Date of signing: 20.04.1966
Entry into force: 06.10.1973
Date of signing: 06.11.1987
Entry into force: 17.05.1991
terminated
Date of signing: 28.10.1991
Entry into force: 26.10.1993
Date of signing: 06.05.1969
Entry into force: 15.09.1969
Date of signing: 28.01.1963
Entry into force: 06.04.1964
Date of signing: 28.10.1991
Entry into force: 06.05.1992
Date of signing: 28.02.1973
Entry into force: 04.07.1973
Date of signing: 21.02.1967
Entry into force: 31.10.1967
Date of signing: 18.10.1962
Entry into force: 11.07.1964
Date of signing: 26.06.1962
Entry into force: 18.11.1962
Date of signing: 04.02.2001
Entry into force: 10.06.2001
Date of signing: 02.05.1968
Entry into force: 11.09.1969
terminated
Date of signing: 08.12.1994
Entry into force: 16.09.1996
Date of signing: 26.04.1962
Entry into force: 29.07.1963
Date of signing: 14.10.1993
Entry into force: 31.08.1998
Date of signing: 04.04.1997
Entry into force: 16.02.2000
terminated
Date of signing: 04.12.1996
Entry into force: 04.12.1996
Date of signing:
Entry into force:
Date of signing: 19.11.2008
Entry into force: 07.05.2015
Date of signing: 08.03.1978
Entry into force: 08.12.1978
Date of signing: 20.01.1965
Entry into force: 23.02.1965
terminated
Date of signing: 09.09.1976
Entry into force: 30.05.1978
Date of signing: 17.12.1985
Entry into force: 12.04.1991
Date of signing: 28.03.1962
Entry into force: 17.11.1962
Date of signing: 19.10.1983
Entry into force: 22.08.1985
Date of signing: 22.11.1991
Entry into force: 23.11.1993
Date of signing: 01.12.1990
Entry into force: 26.08.1991
Date of signing: 01.04.2006
Entry into force: 09.08.2008
terminated
Date of signing: 16.08.1962
Entry into force: 13.08.1964
Date of signing: 27.06.1995
Entry into force: 29.11.1997
terminated
Date of signing: 17.01.1964
Entry into force: 09.08.1966
Date of signing: 06.10.2012
Entry into force: 08.07.2014
Date of signing: 03.07.1992
Entry into force: 03.12.1992
Mechanisms to enforce obligations under the BIT
Swiss BITs provide for two types of dispute settlement mechanisms: an investor–state mechanism, which addresses specific conflicts arising between an investor and the host country regarding an existing investment, and a state–state mechanism, which deals with disputes concerning the interpretation and application of the BIT. Both mechanisms begin with a mandatory consultation phase lasting six to twelve months, during which the parties attempt to reach an amicable settlement. In many cases, mutually acceptable solutions are found during this stage, with or without the support of the authorities of the investor’s home country.
If no agreement can be reached, both mechanisms allow the dispute to be submitted to independent international arbitration. The introduction of investor–state dispute settlement in Swiss BITs (systematically included since 1990) aims to de‑politicise investment disputes, which is why the state–state mechanism is only applied subsidiarily. In international practice, the state–state dispute settlement mechanism is rarely used.
Contact
Foreign Economic Affairs Directorate
Special Foreign Economic Service / International Investment and Corporate Sustainability
Holzikofenweg 36
CH - 3003 Bern