Switzerland has an embassy in Vienna and six honorary consulates (in Bregenz, Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz, and Salzburg).

Because small Switzerland became a Republic early on, while Austria was part of the larger Habsburg monarchy and a major European power for many centuries, the political history of the two countries differed considerably.

In 1823, after Austria threatened to invade, Switzerland was forced to adopt a law, which included surveillance of the domestic press and restrictions on the right of asylum.

To Austria's displeasure, arms and soldiers reached the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia from Switzerland to support the uprising there against Austrian rule.

[2] The admission of Italian refugees from Milan in 1853 again led to a crisis, and Austria blocked the border with Ticino.

After Austria's defeat in the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, relations became better, partly because there were fears in Switzerland about Prussia after the Neuchâtel Crisis 1856/1857.

Even the assassination of Empress Elisabeth in Geneva by an anarchist in 1898 did not strain relations, as Emperor Franz Joseph I was lenient towards the Swiss.

The numerous disputes between Austria and Switzerland were not settled until 1925 and 1927, respectively, with the conclusion of treaties, so that diplomatic relations normalized.

After the Austrofascist Engelbert Dollfuß seized power, the political left in Switzerland showed solidarity with the persecuted opposition.

After the end of the Second World War, Switzerland provided Austria with humanitarian aid in the form of donations amounting to at least 53.5 million Swiss francs.