World Map of Peace
Neutral countries
Neutral is not always neutral. Some states have been so by treaty for over two hundred years, others by constitution, by law or simply as policy
Key points at a glance
- The main permanently neutral states are Switzerland since 1815, Vatican City since 1929, Austria since 1955 and Turkmenistan since 1995.
- Malta, Moldova and Costa Rica have committed themselves to neutrality in their constitution or by declaration.
- Ireland and Serbia pursue a policy of military neutrality, without a treaty and without a constitutional article.
- Neutral does not mean defenceless: under the Hague Convention of 1907, a neutral state may defend its neutrality.
In numbers
1815
Switzerland
permanent neutrality, recognised in Paris
1955
Austria
Federal Constitutional Law of 26 October
1995
Turkmenistan
neutrality recognised by the UN General Assembly
Switzerland
- Type of neutrality
- permanent, recognised in international law
- Basis
- Paris Act of 1815, Federal Constitution
- Military alliances
- no commitment that could draw it into a war
- Member of the United Nations
- since 2002
- Global Peace Index 2026
- 3rd place
Austria
- Type of neutrality
- perpetual, with constitutional status
- Basis
- Federal Constitutional Act of 1955
- Military alliances
- joining ruled out by constitutional act
- Member of the United Nations
- since 1955
- Global Peace Index 2026
- 6th place
Ireland
- Type of neutrality
- military neutrality as policy
- Basis
- government policy, no treaty
- Military alliances
- belongs to no military alliance
- Member of the United Nations
- since 1955
- Global Peace Index 2026
- 5th place
- Switzerlandsince 1815
- Vatican Citysince 1929
- Austriasince 1955
- Costa Ricasince 1983
- Maltasince 1987
- Moldovasince 1994
- Turkmenistansince 1995
- Serbiasince 2007
- Legal framework
- Hague Convention V of 1907
- Oldest permanent neutrality
- Switzerland, recognised on 20 November 1815
- Anchored in the constitution
- Austria, Malta, Moldova, Turkmenistan
- As of
- October 2026
Which countries are neutral?
Today four states in particular are regarded as permanently neutral: Switzerland since 1815, Vatican City since 1929, Austria since 1955 and Turkmenistan since 1995. Their neutrality rests on a treaty, a constitutional law or a resolution of the United Nations and is therefore fixed in law.
In addition, there are states that have committed themselves to neutrality in their constitution or by a declaration: Malta, Moldova and Costa Rica. Ireland and Serbia follow a policy of military neutrality without it being set out in a treaty or the constitution. San Marino and Liechtenstein are regarded as traditionally neutral but have no formal status.
How long the list is therefore depends on how strictly you count. The table further down orders the eleven states by the type of their neutrality and gives the basis for each.
What does neutrality mean in international law?
The rules for neutral states are set out in Hague Convention V of 1907 respecting the rights and duties of neutral powers in case of war on land. Its first article is short: The territory of neutral powers is inviolable. Belligerent states may not move troops or supplies across neutral territory.
In return, the neutral state has duties. It may not tolerate such movements, and if it receives troops of a party to the war on its territory, it must intern them as far as possible from the theatre of war. If it defends its neutrality, by force if necessary, this is expressly not regarded as a hostile act.
The difference between ordinary and permanent neutrality matters. Ordinary neutrality applies only to a particular war. A permanently neutral state, by contrast, commits itself already in peacetime to take part in no war and to enter into no ties that could draw it into a war.
Since when has Switzerland been neutral?
The permanent neutrality of Switzerland was recognised and guaranteed by the European great powers in Paris on 20 November 1815, following the Congress of Vienna. Switzerland is therefore the state with the oldest recognised permanent neutrality.
In the current Federal Constitution of 1999, neutrality appears as a task: the Federal Assembly and the Federal Council are to take measures to safeguard the external security, the independence and the neutrality of Switzerland. The constitution contains no detailed definition; its content follows from international law and practice.
Neutral does not mean defenceless. The Hague Convention expressly allows a neutral state to repel attacks on its neutrality, by force if necessary. Neutrality is therefore something different from giving up an army, which some other states have chosen.
How did Austria become neutral?
On 26 October 1955 the Austrian National Council passed the Federal Constitutional Law on the Neutrality of Austria. It is short and has constitutional status. Its first sentence reads: Austria declares of its own free will its perpetual neutrality, in order to maintain permanently its independence towards the outside and the inviolability of its territory.
The second paragraph sets out two concrete duties. Austria will in all future join no military alliances and will not permit the establishment of military bases of foreign states on its territory. In addition, the country commits itself to maintain and defend its neutrality with all the means at its disposal.
The law is one of the shortest in the Austrian constitution: two articles, the second of which only provides that the federal government is responsible for implementing it. As with Switzerland, what neutrality means in detail follows from international law.
What other forms of neutrality are there?
Turkmenistan is a special case: on 12 December 1995, in its Resolution 50/80 A, the General Assembly of the United Nations expressly recognised and supported the permanent neutrality of the country. Turkmenistan has also anchored it in Article 2 of its constitution.
In 1987 Malta wrote into Article 1 of its constitution that it is a neutral state that actively pursues peace and security and follows a policy of non-alignment. Moldova declares permanent neutrality in Article 11 of its constitution of 1994. Costa Rica, which had already abolished its army in 1949, declared a permanent, active and unarmed neutrality by proclamation of its president on 17 November 1983.
Ireland describes its military neutrality as a policy: the country belongs to no military alliance. Serbia declared its military neutrality in 2007 by a resolution of parliament. Under Article 24 of the Lateran Treaty of 1929, Vatican City is always to be regarded as neutral and inviolable territory.
Can a state give up its neutrality?
Yes. A state that declared its neutrality itself can also change it itself, through a constitutional amendment, a law or a new foreign policy guideline. If, on the other hand, the neutrality is recognised under international law or agreed by treaty, a change also affects the states that recognised it.
Two recent examples show that even long-practised non-alignment can change: Finland joined NATO on 4 April 2023, Sweden on 7 March 2024. Both countries previously belonged to no military alliance and are therefore no longer on the list.
Conversely, neutrality is not a state of affairs that guarantees peace. It is a promise to the outside world to stay out of the wars of others, and it depends on other states respecting that promise.
Federal Constitutional Law on the Neutrality of Austria, 1955, translated
For the purpose of the permanent maintenance of its external independence and for the purpose of the inviolability of its territory, Austria of its own free will declares its perpetual neutrality.
Sources
- Hague Convention V of 1907 (Avalon Project, Yale Law School)
- Historical Dictionary of Switzerland: Neutrality
- RIS Austria: Federal Constitutional Law on the Neutrality of Austria
- United Nations: Resolution 50/80 A, Permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan
- Lateran Treaty of 1929 (vatican.va)
- Irish Department of Foreign Affairs: Neutrality
- NATO: Finland joins NATO as 31st Ally
- NATO: Sweden officially joins NATO
- United Nations: Member States
- Constitute Project: Federal Constitution of Switzerland
Neutral states and their basis
| State | Type of neutrality | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | permanent, recognised under international law | Act of Paris of 20.11.1815; Federal Constitution Art. 173 and 185 |
| Austria | perpetual, with constitutional status | Federal Constitutional Law of 26.10.1955 |
| Vatican City | permanent, agreed by treaty | Lateran Treaty of 11.02.1929, Art. 24 |
| Turkmenistan | permanent, recognised by the UN | UN Resolution 50/80 A of 12.12.1995; Constitution Art. 2 |
| Malta | in the constitution, with non-alignment | Constitution Art. 1 para. 3, since 1987 |
| Moldova | declared in the constitution | Constitution of 1994, Art. 11 |
| Costa Rica | permanent, active and unarmed | Proclamation of the President of 17.11.1983 |
| Ireland | military neutrality as policy | Government guideline, not a treaty |
| Serbia | military neutrality | Resolution of the parliament of 26.12.2007 |
| San Marino | traditional, without formal status | Treaty of friendship with Italy of 1939, Art. 1 |
| Liechtenstein | traditional, without formal status | Neutrality declared case by case, most recently in 1939 |
Sources: the legal texts named in each case, accessed in October 2026 via official websites, the United Nations and the Constitute Project. The order follows how binding the status is, not an assessment.
More in this series
- Countries without an armyConstitutions, treaties and Barbey 2020Around twenty states in the world have no army of their own. Some abolished it, others never founded one, and each arranges its security in its own way
- The safest countries in the worldGlobal Peace Index 2026Iceland has led the ranking of the most peaceful countries for nineteen years. Who follows behind it and why is shown by the Global Peace Index 2026
More questions about neutrality
Which countries in Europe are neutral?
In Europe, seven states are today considered neutral or militarily neutral: Switzerland, Austria, Vatican City, Malta, Moldova, Ireland and Serbia. In addition, San Marino and Liechtenstein are traditionally regarded as neutral but have no formal status.
The most firmly established in law are Switzerland, Austria and Vatican City, whose neutrality rests on a treaty or a constitutional act. Finland and Sweden long belonged to no alliance, but have been members of NATO since 2023 and 2024. Outside Europe, Turkmenistan and Costa Rica are the best-known neutral states.
What is the difference between neutral and non-aligned?
Neutrality is a concept of international law. A neutral state takes no part in other states’ wars, does not let troops of warring parties cross its territory, and in return is entitled to have its territory remain inviolable. A permanently neutral state commits itself to this even in peacetime.
Non-alignment, by contrast, is a political decision: a state joins no military alliance without committing itself to neutrality under international law. Malta combines both in Article 1 of its constitution, which describes the country as a neutral state pursuing a policy of non-alignment. Ireland describes its stance as military neutrality.
Is Sweden still neutral?
No. Sweden joined NATO on 7 March 2024, Finland already on 4 April 2023. Neither country had previously belonged to a military alliance, which is why both were often counted among the neutral states.
Since joining, they are no longer on the list of neutral countries. The case shows that a self-chosen non-alignment is easier to change than a neutrality written into a treaty or a constitutional act. Anyone reading a list of neutral states should therefore check its date. The table on this page gives it.
May neutral states have an army?
Yes. Neutrality obliges a state to keep out of other states’ wars, not to give up defence. The Hague Convention V of 1907 states explicitly that it is not a hostile act when a neutral state resists attempts to violate its neutrality, even by force.
Under Article 58 of its Federal Constitution, Switzerland has armed forces, organised in principle as a militia. In its neutrality act, Austria has committed itself to defending its neutrality with all the means at its disposal. Costa Rica, by contrast, is neutral and has no army at the same time. Which states do without armed forces entirely is shown on the page on countries without an army.
Are neutral countries members of the United Nations?
Yes, most of them. Austria and Ireland have been members since 14 December 1955, Malta since 1964, Turkmenistan and Moldova since 1992, Serbia since 2000. Switzerland only joined on 10 September 2002. Vatican City is not a member; as the Holy See it has the status of an observer state.
For Turkmenistan the United Nations plays a special role: its General Assembly recognised and supported the country’s permanent neutrality in a resolution of its own in 1995. Neutrality and taking part in a worldwide organisation are therefore not mutually exclusive.
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