Host State Act (Switzerland)
The Host State Act is a Swiss federal law that governs the granting of privileges, immunities and financial support to foreign representations, as well as to international organizations and conferences it hosts on its territory.
It was adopted on 22 June 2007 by the Federal Assembly and came into force on 1 January 2008.
Scope
The HSA allows the confederation to grant a wide range of privileges, immunities, and facilities to eligible institutions. These include :- immunity from legal proceedings and the enforcement of judgments;
- exemption from taxation and from the Swiss social security system;
- exemption from Swiss entry and residence requirements;
- exemption from all personal services, from all public service and from all military duties or obligations of any kind;
- freedom of communication, movement and travel;
- freedom to acquire, receive, hold, transfer and convert funds, currencies, cash and other movable property;
- acquisition of land and building for its own purpose.