Poland's President Karol Nawrocki to pay a state visit to Switzerland next week
Bern, 19.05.2026 — President Karol Nawrocki of Poland is expected to arrive in Switzerland on Wednesday, 27 May, for a two-day state visit. This invitation from the Federal Council, headed by President Guy Parmelin, highlights the importance of bilateral relations between Switzerland and Poland. Since the turning point in 1989, a Polish head of state has visited Switzerland every decade.
The Swiss government will receive President Nawrocki with full military honours in Parliament Square. This will be followed by speeches and official talks. Switzerland will be represented by President Guy Parmelin, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Vice-President of the Federal Council and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), and Federal Councillor Beat Jans, Head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP).
The talks will focus on the excellent and diverse bilateral relations between the two countries. One of the aims of the state visit is to strengthen these ties, particularly in the areas of business and science. Other topics on the agenda include European policy, European security and the geopolitical situation. The delegations will discuss the objectives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) during Switzerland’s current chairpersonship, among other things.
The programme on the second day of the state visit, Thursday 28 May, will take place in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, where Presidents Parmelin and Nawrocki will visit education and innovation institutions, as well as establishments that represent the historical links between Switzerland and Poland.
Relations are stronger and more varied than ever
The relationship between Switzerland and Poland dates back to the Middle Ages. These ties are stronger and more diverse today than ever before and include regular contact across all areas and at all levels. Poland is Switzerland’s most important trading partner in Central Europe, with a trade volume of around CHF 6.5 billion in 2025.
The country receives the largest share of the second Swiss contribution, totalling approximately CHF 320 million. In May 2025, a memorandum of understanding was signed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of education, research and innovation. Poland is also a strategic partner of Switzerland in terms of security and defence, with the two countries recently signing a memorandum of understanding on cyber cooperation in Poznań.
Further information: Bilateral relations Switzerland–Poland
Logistics and organisation:
Linda Shepard, FDFA Communications
+41 (0)79 544 48 16, kommunikation@eda.admin.ch