Egyptian Embassy in Bern

Embassy of Egypt in Bern, Switzerland

EmbassyEgyptBernSwitzerland

Overview

The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Bern serves as Egypt's principal diplomatic mission in Switzerland, located at Elfenauweg in the Elfenau district of Bern. The embassy provides comprehensive consular services to Egyptian nationals throughout Switzerland, processes visa applications for Swiss residents traveling to Egypt, and facilitates bilateral relations between Egypt and Switzerland across political cooperation, economic ties, humanitarian tradition, development partnership, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connections. Egypt and Switzerland maintain longstanding bilateral relations characterized by mutual respect, with cooperation spanning political dialogue (Switzerland's good offices tradition and Egypt's regional role create opportunities for cooperation on Middle East peace, regional stability, humanitarian issues), economic partnership (Switzerland is an important trading partner and source of investment for Egypt particularly in pharmaceuticals, machinery, financial services), humanitarian cooperation (International Committee of the Red Cross and other Swiss humanitarian organizations work in Egypt and region), development cooperation (Swiss development programs support Egypt in various sectors), cultural and educational exchange, and tourism (Egypt attracts Swiss tourists while Swiss educational institutions partner with Egyptian counterparts). The embassy coordinates with Swiss federal government, cantonal governments, business community, academic institutions, and cultural organizations. Egypt maintains diplomatic presence with Embassy in Bern and Consulate in Geneva (serving Geneva region, French-speaking Switzerland). The Egyptian community in Switzerland includes professionals, students studying at Swiss universities, business community, and families concentrated in Zurich, Geneva, Bern, and other cities.
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Visa Services

Swiss citizens require a visa to enter Egypt for tourism, business, or other purposes. Egypt offers multiple visa options for Swiss travelers including e-Visa (available online for tourist and business visits up to 30 days, processed within days, convenient option for most Swiss visitors), Visa on Arrival (available at Egyptian airports for tourism purposes, typically 30-day single entry, payment in USD, EUR, or CHF at airport), and Regular Visa through the embassy (for longer stays, specific purposes, or travelers who prefer advance visa). For e-Visa applications, Swiss citizens can apply online through Egypt's official e-Visa portal, submitting valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay), passport photo, travel itinerary, and accommodation details, with processing typically within 3-7 days and e-Visa sent electronically. Visa on Arrival at Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, and other international airports requires valid passport, visa fee payment (check current fee in USD, EUR, or CHF), and proof of onward/return travel. For regular visa through the embassy, applicants must contact Consular Section (phone +41 31 352 80 55), submit completed visa application form, valid passport with at least 6 months validity and blank pages, recent passport photographs, travel itinerary and accommodation confirmation, travel insurance, proof of financial means, and purpose-specific documents (business invitation letters, conference registration, etc.). Visa fees vary by type and duration. Processing times vary; e-Visa is fastest option. Consular Section hours: Monday-Friday 10:00-14:00. For longer stays beyond tourist visa (work, study, residence), applicants must apply for appropriate visa category with additional requirements including sponsorship letters, employment contracts (for work visas), university acceptance (for student visas), and Egyptian sponsor documentation. Business visas require invitation from Egyptian company or organization, business registration documents, and purpose of visit documentation. Egypt attracts Swiss visitors for tourism (pyramids, Sphinx, Luxor temples, Valley of Kings, ancient civilization sites, Red Sea diving and beaches, Nile cruises), business (trade missions, investment opportunities, conferences), and cultural exchange. For detailed visa requirements, contact embassy Consular Section or visit official Egypt e-Visa portal.
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Consular Services

The Consular Section provides comprehensive services for Egyptian nationals in Switzerland including passport applications and renewals, national ID cards, emergency travel documents, civil status registration (births, marriages, deaths, divorce), Egyptian nationality matters, consular registration, legalization and authentication of documents (Swiss documents for use in Egypt require legalization through embassy after Swiss authorities authenticate), notarial services (powers of attorney, affidavits, declarations), and emergency assistance for Egyptian citizens in distress. Consular services available during Consular Section hours (Monday-Friday 10:00-14:00). Egyptian nationals in Switzerland should register with consular section for emergency notifications and assistance. The Egyptian community in Switzerland includes professionals working in various sectors (healthcare, pharmaceuticals, engineering, financial services, hospitality), students (Egyptian students pursue degrees at Swiss universities particularly in engineering, sciences, business, medicine benefiting from Switzerland's high-quality education system), business community (Egyptian entrepreneurs and professionals in Swiss financial and business sectors), and established families. The Consulate in Geneva (Route de Lausanne 261, 1292 Chambésy, phone +41 22 732 42 30, email egyconsul-geneve@bluewin.ch) serves Egyptian nationals in the Geneva region and French-speaking Switzerland. Emergency consular assistance available through embassy for Egyptian nationals facing arrest, hospitalization, death, document loss, or urgent situations during office hours.
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Trade & Export Support

Egypt and Switzerland maintain substantial bilateral trade relations with Switzerland being an important European trading partner for Egypt. Swiss exports to Egypt include pharmaceuticals and medical products (Swiss pharmaceutical industry is major supplier to Egyptian healthcare sector with companies operating in Egypt), machinery and precision instruments (Swiss precision manufacturing including industrial machinery, textile machinery, food processing equipment), chemicals and chemical products, watches and precision instruments (Swiss timepieces popular in Egyptian market), electrical and electronic equipment, and manufactured goods. Egyptian exports to Switzerland include textiles and garments (Egyptian textile industry supplies Swiss market), agricultural products (fruits, vegetables), petroleum products, chemical products, and manufactured goods. Services trade includes Swiss financial services (Swiss banks and financial institutions serve Egyptian market), Swiss engineering and consulting services for Egypt's infrastructure and industrial projects, tourism services (Egyptian tourism sector serves Swiss visitors; Swiss hospitality expertise), educational services (Swiss universities attract Egyptian students), and Egyptian IT services. The embassy's economic section promotes bilateral trade through business matchmaking, commercial advocacy, market intelligence, and facilitating trade missions and business delegations. Switzerland Global Enterprise supports Swiss exporters and investors. Key sectors of bilateral cooperation include pharmaceuticals and healthcare (Swiss pharmaceutical companies have significant presence in Egypt's healthcare sector), precision manufacturing and machinery, chemicals, financial services (Swiss banking expertise and Egypt's financial sector development), renewable energy, water technology, food processing, and tourism.
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Investment Opportunities

Swiss companies have notable presence in Egypt across pharmaceuticals and healthcare (major Swiss pharmaceutical companies operate manufacturing and distribution in Egypt serving Egyptian market and region), food and beverages (Nestlé has longstanding operations in Egypt), machinery and industrial equipment, chemicals, financial services (Swiss banks provide financial services), cement and building materials (Swiss cement companies invested in Egypt), and trading. Egypt offers opportunities for Swiss investors in pharmaceuticals and healthcare (Egypt's large population, growing healthcare needs, pharmaceutical manufacturing for domestic market and export to Africa and Middle East), renewable energy (Egypt's ambitious renewable energy program including solar and wind power), infrastructure development (water treatment, wastewater, transportation, urban development for Egypt's growing population), food processing and agribusiness (modern farming, food industry for domestic consumption and export), manufacturing (Egypt as export platform to Africa and Middle East under trade agreements), tourism infrastructure (hotels, resorts, tourism facilities for Egypt's historic sites and Red Sea destinations), and ICT and financial technology. Switzerland offers Egyptian investors access to European markets, financial services expertise, pharmaceutical and life sciences expertise, precision manufacturing technology, and innovation ecosystem. The embassy facilitates bilateral investment through economic section and coordination with chambers of commerce. Switzerland's humanitarian and development organizations also engage in Egypt. Key cooperation areas include pharmaceuticals and healthcare, food and agribusiness, precision manufacturing, financial services, water and environmental technology, and renewable energy.
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Business Support

The embassy actively facilitates Egypt-Switzerland business relations through its economic section coordinating with Switzerland Global Enterprise, chambers of commerce including Swiss-Egyptian Business Association, and sector-specific organizations. Swiss companies exploring Egyptian markets can contact embassy for market intelligence, business matchmaking, regulatory guidance, facilitation of trade missions, participation in trade fairs and exhibitions, networking events, and commercial advocacy. Key sectors for cooperation include pharmaceuticals and healthcare (Egypt's pharmaceutical sector and Swiss expertise create partnership opportunities), food and agribusiness (Swiss food processing technology and Egypt's agricultural sector), precision manufacturing and machinery (Swiss precision engineering for Egypt's industrial development), chemicals, water and environmental technology (Switzerland's expertise in water management and Egypt's water challenges), renewable energy (Egypt's solar and wind projects), financial services and fintech (Swiss financial expertise and Egypt's financial sector modernization), and tourism (Swiss hospitality expertise and Egypt's tourism sector). The embassy facilitates participation in bilateral forums, sectoral working groups, and business delegations. Egypt-Switzerland business councils and chambers promote bilateral commerce.
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Cultural & Educational Programs

Egypt and Switzerland maintain cultural and educational exchange facilitated by the embassy coordinating with Swiss cultural organizations, universities, and educational institutions. Cultural cooperation includes Swiss cultural events in Egypt, Egyptian cultural events in Switzerland (exhibitions showcasing Egypt's ancient civilization and contemporary culture), cultural heritage cooperation (Swiss institutes support archaeological research and conservation in Egypt), and cultural festivals. Educational cooperation includes Egyptian students in Swiss universities and ETH Zurich studying engineering, sciences, business, medicine, and technology. Switzerland offers world-class education, research opportunities, multilingual environment (German, French, Italian, English), innovation ecosystem, and valuable European educational experience. Swiss universities including ETH Zurich, EPFL, University of Zurich, University of Geneva, and others attract international students including Egyptians. Academic collaboration includes partnerships between Swiss and Egyptian universities, joint research programs, student and faculty exchanges, and collaborative projects. Research cooperation spans engineering and technology, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, water management, archaeology and Egyptology (Swiss institutes conduct research on ancient Egypt), renewable energy, and materials science. Egyptian cultural heritage in Switzerland includes ancient Egyptian collections in Swiss museums with academic interest in Egyptology. Swiss organizations including Pro Helvetia promote cultural exchange.
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Service Area

The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Bern serves all of Switzerland with primary jurisdiction. For convenience, Egypt maintains a Consulate in Geneva (Route de Lausanne 261, 1292 Chambésy, phone +41 22 732 42 30, email egyconsul-geneve@bluewin.ch) serving the Geneva region and French-speaking Switzerland. Egyptian nationals can contact the mission nearest to their location. For visa applications, Swiss residents throughout Switzerland can apply through the Bern embassy or contact the Geneva consulate.
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Appointment Information

Chancellery hours: Monday-Friday 09:00-15:30 (phone +41 31 352 80 12, +41 31 352 80 13). Consular Section hours: Monday-Friday 10:00-14:00 (phone +41 31 352 80 55). Appointments recommended for consular services. For e-Visa applications, Swiss citizens should apply online through Egypt's official e-Visa portal. Embassy address: Elfenauweg 61, 3006 Bern. Email: embassy.bern@mfa.gov.eg, eg.emb.bern@gmail.com.
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Special Notes

The Embassy is located at Elfenauweg 61, 3006 Bern, in the Elfenau district. Accessible by Bern public transport (tram, bus). Public access during office hours. Valid photo ID required; security screening may apply. Embassy observes Egyptian and Swiss holidays. For Swiss travelers to Egypt, e-Visa is the most convenient option for tourist and business visits up to 30 days, available online through official Egypt e-Visa portal. Visa on Arrival also available at Egyptian airports. Egypt attracts Swiss tourists for ancient civilization sites (pyramids, Sphinx, temples of Luxor and Karnak, Valley of Kings, Abu Simbel), Red Sea destinations (Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh for diving, snorkeling, beach resorts), Nile cruises, Cairo museums, and cultural experiences. Swiss visitors should check current travel advisories, health recommendations (consult travel medicine clinic), and travel insurance requirements. For consular services in Geneva region, contact Consulate in Geneva. For comprehensive visa information, contact embassy Consular Section or visit Egypt e-Visa portal. For travel advice, consult Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (eda.admin.ch) Egypt travel information.
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