Summary: Switzerland has participated in NATO's "Partnership for Peace" (PfP) since 1996 and has significantly intensified its cooperation since 2022. The Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP) 2025-2028, accession to the European Sky Shield air defence programme and the opening of a NATO liaison office in Geneva mark a new quality of cooperation. The Neutrality Initiative seeks to constitutionally restrict such cooperation.
Switzerland joined NATO's "Partnership for Peace" in 1996 -- a cooperation programme for non-NATO states [1]:
The FDFA emphasises: "Partnership for Peace is an instrument of cooperation, not a stepping stone to NATO membership." [1]
On 18 December 2025, Switzerland finalised the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP) 2025-2028 with NATO [2]:
| Area | Content |
|---|---|
| Political dialogue | Continuation of regular consultations |
| Interoperability | Strengthened cooperation of the Swiss Armed Forces with NATO standards |
| Space | Cooperation in space situational awareness |
| Resilience | Cooperation in crisis preparedness |
| Arms control | Joint measures on disarmament |
| Air force | Interoperability in air surveillance |
The official position: "The activities are compatible with Switzerland's neutrality." [2]
Switzerland joined the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a European air defence programme under German leadership [3]. The initiative aims at coordinated procurement of air defence systems.
The Swiss Armed Forces regularly participate in NATO exercises, particularly in the areas of peacekeeping and disaster relief.
On 7 September 2022, the Federal Council approved the Supplementary Report to the 2021 Security Policy Report. Key points [5]:
| Proponents of cooperation | Critics |
|---|---|
| Necessary adaptation to changed security situation | "Creeping NATO rapprochement" without democratic legitimation |
| Interoperability strengthens defence capability | Neutrality is being undermined |
| Small army needs international cooperation | Switzerland benefits as a "free rider" without own contribution |
| PfP is not a mutual defence pact | Population is not consulted (no referendum) |
The Neutrality Initiative seeks with Art. 54a para. 2 FC to prohibit accession to military or defence alliances (exception: direct attack on Switzerland). Whether and to what extent PfP cooperation would be affected is legally disputed.
NATO accession by Finland (April 2023) and Sweden (March 2024) fundamentally changed the geopolitical landscape (see International Context). Both countries abandoned their longstanding alliance-free status following the Russian attack on Ukraine [6].
[1] FDFA (2024). NATO -- Partnership for Peace (PfP).
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. [Open Access]
[2] DDPS (2025). Switzerland-NATO Cooperation -- Goals 2025-2028 (ITPP).
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport. [Open Access]
[3] Blick (2024). Amherd brings Switzerland closer to NATO (Sky Shield).
Blick. [Open Access]
[4] SRF (2024). Geneva to receive a NATO office.
Swiss Radio and Television. [Open Access]
[5] FDFA (2024). Foreign Policy Strategy 2024-2027.
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. [Open Access]
[6] NZZ (2022). Switzerland and NATO -- how much cooperation is possible?
Neue Zuercher Zeitung. [Open Access]
Last updated: March 2026