Switzerland as host state and the policy of the canton

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The international organisations in Basel exist on the basis of agreements with the Swiss Confederation. The BIS enjoys its privileges and immunities under the Headquarters Agreement of 10 February 1987, which Part F, Chapter I analysed. Since 2008 the general legal framework for Swiss host-state policy has been the Federal Act of 22 June 2007 on the Privileges, Immunities and Facilities and the Financial Subsidies granted by Switzerland as a Host State, known as the Host State Act, together with its implementing ordinance. The Act defines the beneficiaries of host-state treatment, which include intergovernmental organisations, international institutions, quasi-governmental organisations, international conferences and other international bodies, and the privileges they may receive.¹

The Host State Act was designed with Geneva in mind, where most international organisations in Switzerland are located. It nevertheless offers a framework for Basel as well. The Financial Stability Board, which was established as an association under Swiss law in 2013, concluded an agreement with the Swiss Federal Council that confers certain privileges. Other bodies hosted by the BIS, such as the International Association of Insurance Supervisors and the International Association of Deposit Insurers, benefit from the legal framework of the BIS or from their own arrangements, which Part F, Chapter IV described. Switzerland's host-state policy is coordinated by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, which promotes "International Geneva" as a brand of its own and supports the cantons in hosting organisations.²

The canton of Basel-Stadt has developed its own approach. Its international relations are managed within the cantonal administration, which deals with cross-border cooperation in the trinational region, relations with the federal government and the promotion of the city as a location for business and international institutions. The canton has an interest in the presence of international organisations because they bring highly qualified staff, conferences and visibility. It also bears costs, for instance for security around meetings at the BIS and for infrastructure. Compared with Geneva, the number of organisations is small, but their influence in the financial world is out of proportion to their number. Part J will return to the trinational dimension of the canton's external relations.³

Notes

Federal Act of 22 June 2007 on the Privileges, Immunities and Facilities and the Financial Subsidies granted by Switzerland as a Host State (Host State Act, HSA; SR 192.12), in force since 1 January 2008, and the Host State Ordinance of 7 December 2007 (SR 192.121). On the BIS Headquarters Agreement of 10 February 1987 (SR 0.192.122.971), see Part F, Chapter I. References to be verified. ↩
On the establishment of the Financial Stability Board as an association under Swiss law (January 2013) and its agreement with the Swiss Federal Council, and on the arrangements for the other bodies hosted by the BIS, see Part F, Chapter IV, and the reports of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs on Swiss host-state policy. Status to be verified. ↩
On the external relations of the canton of Basel-Stadt, its cross-border cooperation and its location promotion, see the information published by the Präsidialdepartement of the canton of Basel-Stadt and the Regio Basiliensis. To be verified. ↩

For general information only. This article does not constitute legal or tax advice, does not replace advice on an individual case and creates no lawyer-client relationship. It reflects the legal position as of August 2025.

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Switzerland as host state and the policy of the canton

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