The Swiss in Chile

They emigrated individually and on their own initiative when they were hired to work in an industry that was booming at the time. The settlers who arrived in this distant country founded organisations and clubs, some of which date back to 1887. 

Thanks to the efforts of the descendants of these settlers to preserve customs and traditions, other associations sprang up throughout the country and have carried on the Swiss heritage to the present day.

There are currently 5 692 residents registered with the Swiss representation in Santiago de Chile. Residents are spread throughout the country, but mainly in the cities of Santiago and Valparaíso (3 965 inhabitants). The Araucanía region is home to Chile's third-largest community (451).

There are 14 Swiss community associations or clubs in Chile, made up of Swiss nationals living in Chile and descendants of Swiss nationals.

• Corporación Descendientes Suizos de Chile- ADES
• Club Suizo Santiago
• Colegio Suizo de Santiago
• Corporación Helvética V Región
• Colectividad Suiza de Concepción
• Colonia Suiza de Los Ángeles
• Club Suizo de Traiguén
• Sociedad Suiza de Victoria
• Colectividad Suiza de Lautaro
• Club Suizo de Temuco
• Club Suizo de Valdivia
• Club Suizo de Osorno
• Club Suizo de Magallanes
• Agrupación de Descendientes de Colonos Suizos Friburgueses (Punta Arenas)

Representatives of the 14 groups of Swiss residents and Swiss descendants in Chile meet once a year in different cities around the country to agree and discuss objectives and issues of relevance to the community.

Every year, every organisation or club celebrates 1 August in the local community. Some organise sporting events, others Swiss gastronomic events. From time to time, Corporación ADES organises and celebrates "Räbeliechter Fest" with the children of the community.

• Unlike Switzerland, the community holds its Swiss National Day celebrations indoors, in heated halls, as it is mid-winter in this part of the world.
• In some parts of southern Chile, the landscape resembles that of Switzerland, which is why some Swiss residents often choose to spend the 1 August festivities there. Perhaps this makes them feel closer to their homeland.
• It is said that the Swiss are very punctual, which is far from the general habit of Chileans. In fact, in Chile, Switzerland is most often associated with watchmaking....
• There are no places named after Swiss towns. However, in the Araucanía region, where the first Swiss settlers arrived in Chile, they lived in harmony. Today, there are still places where the architecture of their houses or mills is preserved and admired.
• As the country is geographically very large and diverse, each group or association organises its own local celebrations. A large "Fête Suisse" is sometimes organised in the Araucanía region to bring together the Swiss community in Chile 

The Swiss embassy is located in Santiago, the country's capital.

There are 3 Swiss consulates or honorary representations in Chile, located in Temuco, Punta Arenas and Concepción. The Swiss College and the Helvetic-Chilean Chamber of Commerce are also present in the capital.

Last update: July 2025