Central Organization: Swiss Estonian Association
Media: Mägi ja Meri
Estonian Embassy: Vienna
Honorary Consuls: Switzerland
Swiss Estonian Association:
The Swiss Estonian Association (eestiselts.ch) is a warm and close-knit community that brings together Estonians living in Switzerland, their families, and all friends of Estonia. Founded in 1953, the association has since been a unifying force and a bearer of traditions for everyone who cherishes the Estonian language and culture.
Over the decades, the association has become an important focal point where Estonians can meet, preserve their traditions, and celebrate them together. Regular events include Midsummer festivities, the Christmas party, and the Estonian Independence Day celebration, alongside smaller gatherings, workshops, and cultural evenings.
According to statistics from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), as of June 2025, over 1,200 Estonians live in Switzerland. Most of them are concentrated in the Geneva and Zurich areas, but Estonians can also be found elsewhere in the country.
Estonian Children’s and Youth Club in Zurich:
In addition, the association hosts the Estonian Children’s and Youth Club, which meets once a month in Zurich. The club offers young people the opportunity to grow up surrounded by the Estonian language and culture from an early age, while also strengthening the sense of community for the future.
Estonian children's books at the St. Gallen Katherinen Library:
As a result of the association’s active efforts, young people now also have the opportunity to explore and develop the Estonian language – Estonian children’s books are available for borrowing at the St. Gallen Katherinen Library.
Estonian Cultural Association in Bern:
The Estonian Cultural Association in Bern brings Estonian culture to Switzerland. The Estonian Cultural Association in Bern is a non-profit association that was founded in 2016 with the aim of bringing Estonian cultural heritage to both local Estonians and Swiss people through exciting, intriguing, and thought-provoking events. The Bern Literary Salon offers a cozy place to share literary impressions in Estonian, discuss books you have read, and exchange ideas. Meeting two or three times a year, books are borrowed and read, and there is no need to fear expressing the wrong opinion in the discussion – it is precisely the different ideas that make the salon exciting, and listening in silence is also perfectly acceptable. The goal is to read both contemporary and older books. The works read together in the salon range from Estonian fairy tales to newly published novels and short story collections. The books are chosen based on the members' interests, guest recommendations, or joint discussions, and often new favorites are discovered that might not otherwise have been read.
To date, there have been 25 literary salons and three film evenings, and seven authors from Estonia have visited. The money to invite guests from Estonia has been raised through the sale of Estonian gingerbread dough and gingerbread cookies made according to the society members' own recipe, ticket sales for events, and donations. The heart of the society is its literary and film events. The events are not limited to the Bern area – we have also reached Braunwald and Uitikon, much to our delight.
The golden rule of the salon is simple: an empty bag cannot stand upright, and an empty stomach cannot speak! That is why a small snack always accompanies the conversation.
Estonian Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland:
In addition, the Estonian Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland has been established, offering entrepreneurs even more opportunities and strengthening bilateral relationships, making cooperation easier, faster, and more effective.
The Estonian Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland connects companies and leaders from Estonia, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The Chamber serves as a reliable bridge between these three markets, promoting trade growth, fostering partnerships, and opening up new opportunities. Networking events, leadership meetings, and close collaboration with public and private sector partners provide members with direct access to decision-makers and practical business solutions.
The Chamber reflects Estonia’s reputation as a dynamic and innovative e-nation, supporting companies of all sizes with visibility and strong cross-border connections that drive success in a competitive global market.
