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Switzerland and Austria are two landlocked alpine nations in the heart of Europe. The two countries share a border, which is divided into two parts, separated by the Principality of Liechtenstein. The Swiss-Austrian border has a complicated history, having been influenced by the various rivals of the House of Habsburg and the Swiss Confederacy. Both countries have had diplomatic relations since the Middle Ages and have cooperated in hosting the UEFA Euro 2008 football tournament and through various trade agreements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Border length | 180 km (110 mi) |
| Border crossings | St. Margrethen–Lauterach line between Lustenau and St. Margrethen; Feldkirch–Buchs railway, which passes through Liechtenstein |
| Border tripoints | Swiss-Austrian-German tripoint within Upper and Lake Constance; Swiss-Austrian-Italian tripoint north of Piz Lad; Swiss-Austrian-Liechtenstein tripoint |
| Border history | The border reflects the success of the rivals of the House of Habsburg in limiting the influence of the Habsburg Archdukes of Austria in the 14th and 15th centuries; the Swiss-Austrian border was part of the western border of the Austrian Empire and later Austria-Hungary in the 19th century |
| Border control | No border control due to the Schengen Agreement; customs checks still occur as Switzerland is outside the EU Customs Union |
| Diplomatic relations | Both countries have had diplomatic relations since the Middle Ages; Switzerland recognized the Republic of Austria on 2 November 1945 and officially on 9 January 1920 |
| Cultural relations | Switzerland and Austria have an informal bilateral culture dialogue at the government level every two years; they have agreed to increase cooperation in organizing cultural events in third countries |
| Language | Both countries are predominantly German-speaking; four official languages are spoken in Switzerland: German, French, Italian, and Romansh |
| Population | Austria: 8.7 million; Switzerland: 8.3 million |
| Area | Austria: 83,871 sq. km; Switzerland: 41,277 sq. km |
| Tourism | Both countries have fantastic alpine regions for winter tourism; Austria was elected the most hospitable country in Europe, while Switzerland ranked last within the European comparison |
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What You'll Learn
Geography and landscape
The Alpine landscape between Austria and Switzerland is dominated by mountain ranges and lakes. Both countries are landlocked in the centre of Europe and share a border that is divided into two parts, with a total length of 180 km (110 mi). The longer, southern stretch runs across the Grison Alps, and the shorter one follows the Alpine Rhine, except near Diepoldsau and between Lustenau and Lake Constance, where it follows the Old Rhine bed. The Swiss-Austrian-German tripoint is within Lake Constance. The border continues northward to the Austrian-Swiss-German tripoint, located within Upper Lake Constance. The Swiss-Austrian-Italian tripoint is north of Piz Lad, in the Engadin. The border follows the Inn River between Martina and Nauders and then runs west towards Samnaun.
The two countries are predominantly German-speaking, although four languages are spoken in Switzerland: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Romansh is a descendant of the Latin language of the Roman Empire, which was brought to the region by Roman soldiers, merchants, and officials following the conquest of the modern-day Grisons area in 15 BC. The traditional Romansh-speaking parts of Switzerland are located in the canton of Graubünden (Grisons).
Switzerland has more than 1500 lakes and contains 6% of Europe's stock of fresh water. The largest lake is Lake Geneva, in western Switzerland, shared with France. The Danube River flows through Austria, including its capital city of Vienna. The highest mountain peak in Austria is at 12,457 feet in elevation, while the Swiss mountains are higher, with the Matterhorn straddling the border between Switzerland and Italy.
The border region between Austria and Switzerland has a complicated feudal history. The territories on the left bank of the Alpine Rhine Valley became subject territories of the Swiss Confederacy by the 17th century. The current border is a product of the creation of the Helvetic Republic in 1798. During the 19th century, it was part of the western border of the Austrian Empire and later Austria-Hungary. In the 20th century, it became the border of modern Austria since its formation in 1955. The dissolution of Austria-Hungary by the Treaty of Saint-Germain (1919) created ambiguities regarding Switzerland's legal relations with German Austria, including issues regarding Austria's national debt to the Swiss.
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Language and culture
Nestled between Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein is a small country with a rich cultural heritage. The country's official language is German, and it is the smallest of the four countries in Europe where German is the majority language. The local dialect is Alemannic, which is considered a highly divergent dialect with its own vocabulary and rules, distinct from Standard German. In fact, it is sometimes considered a separate language. Eighty-six percent of the country's population speaks Alemannic, with Highest Alemannic spoken in the south and High Alemannic in the rest of the country.
The country's small size and location have made it susceptible to external cultural influences, particularly from the southern regions of German-speaking Europe, including Austria, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Switzerland, Tirol, and Vorarlberg. Liechtenstein's long history, dating back to the Middle Paleolithic era, has also left its mark on the country's culture. The Hallstatt and La Tène cultures flourished during the late Iron Age, possibly influenced by Greek and Etruscan civilizations. The region was later conquered by the Romans and integrated into the Roman province of Raetia.
Liechtenstein has several institutions dedicated to preserving its culture and history, including the Historical Society of the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Liechtenstein National Museum. The National Museum showcases permanent exhibitions on the cultural and natural history of the country, as well as special exhibitions. There is also a stamp museum, a ski museum, and a 500-year-old Rural Lifestyle Museum. The Liechtenstein State Library is the repository for all books published in the country.
Liechtenstein has also produced notable poets like Ida Ospelt-Amann, who wrote exclusively in the Alemannic dialect of Vaduz. The country boasts famous historical sites, including Vaduz Castle, Gutenberg Castle, and Vaduz Cathedral. The Private Art Collection of the Prince of Liechtenstein, one of the world's leading private art collections, is exhibited at the Liechtenstein Museum in Vienna.
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History and diplomacy
The border between Austria and Switzerland is divided into two parts, with a total length of 180 km (110 mi). The longer, southern stretch runs across the Grison Alps, and the shorter one follows the Alpine Rhine, except near Diepoldsau and between Lustenau and Lake Constance, where it follows the Old Rhine bed. The course of the border reflects the success of the various rivals of the House of Habsburg in limiting the influence of the Habsburg Archdukes of Austria in the original Habsburg domains west of the Rhine in the 14th and 15th centuries.
The two countries have had diplomatic relations since the Middle Ages. The Habsburgs, who ruled Austria for over six centuries, are originally from Aargau in Switzerland. The Swiss secured their independence from the House of Habsburg in 1386 by winning the Battle of Sempach, which was followed by a series of other battles during the Swiss-Habsburg Wars for Swiss independence. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, various agreements influenced the subsequent demarcation of borders between the two countries. In 1770, for example, the Canton of Zürich acquired the villages of Ramsen and Dörflingen from Austria, which later became part of the Canton of Schaffhausen.
In the 19th century, the border was part of the western border of the Austrian Empire and later Austria-Hungary. The dissolution of Austria-Hungary by the Treaty of Saint-Germain (1919) created ambiguities regarding Switzerland's legal relations with German Austria, including regarding Austria's national debt to the Swiss. Switzerland recognized the First Republic of Austria only on 9 January 1920, angering the Austrians. Numerous disputes between the two countries were not settled until 1925 and 1927, with the conclusion of treaties that normalized diplomatic relations.
Switzerland and Austria have enjoyed particularly close and friendly relations since the end of World War II. Both countries have embassies and consulates in each other's capitals and have cooperated in organizing cultural events in third countries. They have also jointly hosted sports tournaments, such as the UEFA Euro 2008 football tournament. Switzerland and Austria cooperate in various fields, including transport, energy, health, and future technologies.
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Trade and tourism
Switzerland and Austria share a border that is divided into two parts, with Liechtenstein in between. The border is 180km long in total, with the longer, southern stretch running across the Grison Alps and the shorter stretch following the Alpine Rhine. The border has existed in its current form since the creation of the Helvetic Republic in 1798, though it has been a border of various Austrian states and the Swiss Confederacy since the 15th century. The two countries have had diplomatic relations since the Middle Ages and have enjoyed particularly close and friendly relations since the end of the Second World War.
Both countries are landlocked in the center of Europe and have alpine regions that attract many tourists. The Swiss mountains are higher, but Austria's Großglockner peak, at 3798 meters above sea level, is a popular destination for mountaineers. Winter tourism is economically important for both countries, and Austria has a reputation for its hospitality. Switzerland, on the other hand, is known for its chocolate and for being the home of the St. Bernard dog breed.
Switzerland and Austria have a history of trade agreements, with several being concluded in the second half of the 19th century. In the present day, Switzerland Global Enterprise and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) are key partners for trade between the two countries. Switzerland is also actively engaged in promoting Swiss artists in the Austrian cultural scene.
Transport links between the two countries include two railway lines that cross the Alpine Rhine. The first is the St. Margrethen–Lauterach line between Lustenau and St. Margrethen, and the second is the Feldkirch–Buchs railway, which passes through Liechtenstein. Cross-border S-Bahn services are marketed as Bodensee S-Bahn. There is also the International Rhine Regulation Railway, an industrial heritage railway on the Austrian side.
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Border control and treaties
The border between Austria and Switzerland is divided into two parts, with a total length of 180 km (110 mi). The longer, southern stretch runs across the Grison Alps, and the shorter one follows the Alpine Rhine, except near Diepoldsau and between Lustenau and Lake Constance, where it follows the Old Rhine bed. The border continues northward to the Austrian-Swiss-German tripoint within Upper Lake Constance. The Swiss-Austrian border also passes through the Swiss-Austrian-Liechtenstein tripoint, where it follows the Alpine Rhine, forming the Swiss-Liechtenstein border. The Swiss-Austrian border separates the Austrian state of Vorarlberg from the canton of St. Gallen, north of Liechtenstein.
The current border is a product of the creation of the Helvetic Republic in 1798. During the 19th century, it was part of the western border of the Austrian Empire and later Austria-Hungary. In the 20th century, it became the border of modern Austria since its formation in 1955. The course of the border reflects the success of the rivals of the House of Habsburg in limiting the influence of the Habsburg Archdukes of Austria in the original Habsburg domains west of the Rhine in the 14th and 15th centuries. Most of the Alpine part of the border had already been the outer border of the Three Leagues since the 15th century.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, various agreements were made that influenced the subsequent demarcation of borders between the two countries. In 1770, the Canton of Zürich acquired the villages of Ramsen and Dörflingen from Austria, which later became part of the Canton of Schaffhausen. With the cession of Fricktal and Tarasp (1803) and Rhäzüns (1819), the Habsburgs lost their last possessions in Switzerland. After the end of the Napoleonic Wars, Austria recognized Switzerland's independence at the Congress of Vienna. The dissolution of Austria-Hungary by the Treaty of Saint-Germain (1919) created ambiguities regarding Switzerland's legal relations with German Austria, which were not settled until 1925 and 1927, with the conclusion of treaties.
Switzerland's accession to the Schengen Area in December 2008 removed all passport checks between the two countries. However, Swiss and Austrian customs officials can still stop travellers to carry out customs checks, as Switzerland is outside the EU Customs Union. As of the December 2023 timetable, cross-border services between Austria and Switzerland exist on two railway lines crossing the Alpine Rhine: the St. Margrethen–Lauterach line and the Feldkirch–Buchs railway, which passes through Liechtenstein.
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Frequently asked questions
The Principality of Liechtenstein is nestled between Switzerland and Austria.
The border between Switzerland and Austria is 180 km (110 mi) long and is divided into two parts, separated by Liechtenstein.
Switzerland's accession to the Schengen Area in December 2008 removed passport checks between the two countries. However, customs officials from both countries can still carry out customs checks at well-frequented border crossings as Switzerland is outside the EU Customs Union.
The current border is a product of the creation of the Helvetic Republic in 1798. The territories on the left bank of the Rhine became subject territories of the Swiss Confederacy by the 17th century. The border was part of the western border of the Austrian Empire in the 19th century and later Austria-Hungary.
