Europe · neighbouring countries

Neighboring Countries of Switzerland

Q: Which is the longest border of Switzerland?

The longest land border of Switzerland is with Italy (698 km); the shortest is with Liechtenstein (41 km).

Q: How long are the land borders of Switzerland?

The land borders of Switzerland total 1,770 km. By number of neighbours Switzerland ranks #35 among 236 countries and territories.

Switzerland shares land borders with 5 countries: Italy (698 km), France (525 km), Germany (348 km), Austria (158 km) and Liechtenstein (41 km).

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Country

Neighbouring countries (#35 of 236)

1,770 km

Total land borders

None

Landlocked — no coastline

41,277

Area in km²

Switzerland
Neighbouring countries
Neighbours of neighbours

Countries bordering Switzerland

Neighbour	Border length	Capital	Visa for Switzerland citizens
Italy	698 km	Rome	Freedom of movement
France	525 km	Paris	Freedom of movement
Germany	348 km	Berlin	Freedom of movement
Austria	158 km	Vienna	Freedom of movement
Liechtenstein	41 km	Vaduz	Freedom of movement

Italy accounts for 39% of Switzerland's 1,770 km of land borders. Lengths: CIA World Factbook (public domain).

Geography of Switzerland

Location

Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy

Area

41,277 km² — slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Terrain

Mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes

Climate

Temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers

Highest and lowest points

Highest: Dufourspitze on Monte Rosa 4,634 m. Lowest: Lake Maggiore 195 m. Mean elevation: 1350 m.

Natural resources

Hydropower potential, timber, salt

Natural hazards

Avalanches, landslides; flash floods

Good to know

Landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps

Neighbours of Switzerland's neighbours

Countries one border further away — reachable overland through a neighbouring country.

Also with 5 neighbours in Europe

Frequently asked questions about the borders of Switzerland

How many countries border Switzerland?

Switzerland shares land borders with 5 countries: Italy (698 km), France (525 km), Germany (348 km), Austria (158 km) and Liechtenstein (41 km).

Which is the longest border of Switzerland?

The longest land border of Switzerland is with Italy (698 km); the shortest is with Liechtenstein (41 km).

Is Switzerland landlocked?

Yes. Switzerland has no coastline and is one of the world's landlocked countries, so all its trade by land passes through Italy, France, Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein.

How long are the land borders of Switzerland?

The land borders of Switzerland total 1,770 km. By number of neighbours Switzerland ranks #35 among 236 countries and territories.

Do Switzerland citizens need a visa for neighbouring countries?

Switzerland citizens can visit 5 of 5 neighbouring countries visa-free: Italy, France, Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein.

What is the highest point of Switzerland?

Dufourspitze on Monte Rosa 4,634 m. The lowest point is Lake Maggiore 195 m.

Borders and geography: CIA World Factbook (public domain). Visa rules: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset, AXG Sp. z o.o. (CC BY 4.0).