Swiss‒EU cooperation in the field of statistics: Update of the 2004 bilateral agreement
Neuchâtel, 27.10.2026 — At its meeting in Bern on 27 October 2026, the Switzerland‒EU joint committee updated Annex A of the bilateral agreement on cooperation in the field of statistics to maintain the consistency and comparability of statistics produced by the two parties. The Federal Council approved this amendment at its meeting on 2 September 2026. The updated Annex A takes effect immediately. Keeping Annex A up to date promotes Switzerland’s international visibility, particularly as an economic centre.
The main updates relate to statistics on business and foreign trade, agricultural holdings and agricultural inputs and outputs, as well as societal surveys and the European system of national and regional accounts.
Owing to changes in the EU legislation on statistics, Annex A needed to be amended to maintain the consistency and comparability of Swiss and EU statistics.
In Switzerland, certain statistics relating to tourism and agriculture are no longer being produced owing to budget reallocations. The updated annex to the agreement takes account of these changes. Swiss‒EU cooperation in the field of statistics remains excellent.
The 2004 bilateral agreement entered into force in 2007. It sets out the rules for the development, production and dissemination of harmonised statistical data in Switzerland and the EU, enabling comparability in the fields of cooperation covered by the different bilateral agreements. The publication of euro-compatible Swiss data by Eurostat, the EU statistical office, increases Switzerland’s international visibility, for example as an economic centre. It also means that Switzerland can rely on statistics aligned with European standards, which strengthens its position in international negotiations. Furthermore, comparable data are of great importance to users, as they enable consistent analysis at an international level.
The Swiss‒EU agreement on statistics is not part of the ‘Stabilisation and further development of relations between Switzerland and the EU’ (Bilaterals III) package of agreements. This amendment of Annex A to the agreement is unrelated to this package.
The Federal Council approved the updates to Annex A of the bilateral agreement on cooperation in the field of statistics in its session on 2 September 2026.