Ambassador Svetlan Stoev: More than 19,000 Bulgarians live in Switzerland

For many people, Switzerland is seen as a model of a prosperous, peaceful, and well-organized country that skillfully develops direct democracy as a form of governance. Its successful economic and social policies are built on three main pillars - referendums, civic initiatives, and the autonomy of individual cantons. Swiss citizens are required to vote on every constitutional change, and with 50,000 signatures collected within 100 days, they can also repeal a new law they do not approve of. That is why all laws are adopted after lengthy consultations and public debates - and most importantly, through consensus between politicians and citizens. The administrative center, Bern, does not impose its policies, and if people in one canton want lower taxes while those in another prefer a more developed social system, all of this can be achieved at the local level.

It is namely this model that makes citizens responsible for decisions affecting the country’s overall well-being and economic development.

An important aspect is Switzerland’s commitment to neutrality and its non-participation in military conflicts, which allows its economy and banking system to develop without disruption. Internationally, the country maintains an active policy of peace, cooperation, and solidarity. In Bulgaria, Switzerland has invested significant funds in education, science, healthcare, and environmental protection through the Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme.

Unlike in other countries where Bulgarians often struggle to work in their professions, Switzerland hosts a considerable community of Bulgarian doctors, IT specialists, and engineers. They are attracted by the stable environment, which allows them to plan their lives a decade ahead, as well as by opportunities for professional development and recognition of their expertise. The standard of living is high, but so are average salaries - among the highest in the world - which motivates many Bulgarians to settle there.

“We have quite a number of Bulgarians in Switzerland,” notes in a special interview for Radio Bulgaria H.E. Svetlan Stoev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

“According to official statistics, there are 19,500 Bulgarian citizens in Switzerland. There are 12 organizations and associations in different cities - not only in Zurich, Geneva, or Vevey, where there are large Bulgarian communities, but also in Bern, Basel… Everywhere there is something created by Bulgarians who want to get together. In Zurich, for example, there is a business club of young Bulgarian entrepreneurs or professionals working in various companies, who also hold their own meetings. Everyone wants to do something connected to Bulgaria. So the connection with Bulgaria is constant.”

Ambassador Stoev has been in Switzerland since December 1, 2025, and his observations of the Bulgarian community are based on just a few months. One of the first tasks he set for himself was to visit Bulgarian schools in Switzerland with his team and to establish contact with the Bulgarian church boards in Geneva and Zurich:

“I believe that at this stage the foundation for closer, coordinated cooperation has been laid,” the ambassador says. “I think every association - whether related to school, language, education, culture, or the preservation of traditions - should have its place. People come together for a reason: to share the same moral values and to have something that connects them - and language and culture are what connect us all. Faith is also an integral part. Perhaps it is the first thing a person should have, as it is formed within the family. I hope that in the future it will also be studied in schools, where I believe it belongs. Moral values are universal - they must be cultivated, and people must understand that this is a space that calls for humility in the context of what happens in our daily lives.”

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Among the priorities of the Bulgarian diplomatic mission in Switzerland is the creation of a structure that includes the contacts of all Bulgarian communities and associations, providing opportunities for information exchange and coordinated actions on various occasions. The embassy has also launched a Facebook page where cultural activities and events will be published.

“What we will not do is act as a guardian of Bulgarian associations. Their independence is extremely important. Our role will be more of a coordinating one, as well as helping to give greater visibility to what different associations are doing.”

The head of the Bulgarian mission in Bern has a solid diplomatic career behind him. In 2021, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the two caretaker governments of Stefan Yanev. He has received numerous Bulgarian and international awards for his high professionalism. He is well acquainted with the programmes of Radio Bulgaria and describes them as a reliable media partner in the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Undoubtedly, media presence is important, especially considering the possibilities for social interaction and the fact that social media presence is sometimes even beyond control. One must rely on media that provide, I would say, the right direction in terms of truthfulness. For me, the Bulgarian National Television and the Bulgarian National Radio play a special role in this regard. They should serve as a compass for what we call real news produced by these institutions. You are knocking on an open door, so I hope that we too can contribute to better informing Bulgarians abroad.”

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Photos: Embassy of Bulgaria in Switzerland/ Facebook, Darina Grigorova

English: R. Petkova