What Does EFTA Do?

Total employees237
HeadquartersGeneva
Founded1960

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is an intergovernmental organization established on May 3, 1960, dedicated to promoting free trade and economic integration between its four Member States: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Three EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) participate in the European Union's Internal Market through the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement. Switzerland maintains its relations with the EU through a series of bilateral agreements. EFTA also manages an extensive network of free trade agreements with countries worldwide, making it a significant player in international trade policy.

Where Is EFTA's Headquarters?

HQ Function

The Geneva headquarters serves as the primary administrative hub for EFTA, housing the Secretariat. It manages the EFTA Council, oversees the negotiation and implementation of free trade agreements with countries outside the EU, and supports EFTA's parliamentary and consultative committees.

Notable Features:

Strategically located in Geneva's international quarter, facilitating interactions with the United Nations and other global organizations. The building provides modern facilities for diplomacy, negotiation, and administrative functions for a multinational staff.

Work Culture:

Characterized by a professional, multicultural, and multilingual environment. Staff engage in complex international trade law, economics, and diplomacy, fostering collaboration among experts from Member States and beyond in a dynamic setting focused on achieving EFTA's objectives.

HQ Significance:

Its Geneva location underscores EFTA's role in global trade governance and its commitment to international cooperation. It's a central point for managing EFTA's extensive network of trade partnerships and engaging with the international community.

Values Reflected in HQ: The headquarters' operations and its location in International Geneva reflect EFTA's core values: promoting free trade, economic integration, multilateralism, adherence to international law, and fostering cooperation among nations.

Location:

EFTA's global presence is primarily defined by its four European Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) and its extensive network of over 30 free trade agreements (FTAs) and declarations on cooperation with more than 40 partner countries and territories worldwide, spanning Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa. While its administrative offices are concentrated in Geneva, Brussels, and Luxembourg, its impact and activities are global. Functions supported globally include trade negotiations, FTA implementation and monitoring, dispute settlement, technical assistance to trade partners, and the promotion of EFTA economic interests and values on the international stage.

Street Address:

9-11, rue de Varembé, CH-1211 Geneva 20

City:

Geneva

State/Province:

Geneva

Country:

Switzerland

Where Else Does EFTA Operate Around the World?

Brussels, Belgium

Address: Rue Joseph II, 12-16, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

To facilitate EFTA EEA States' effective participation in the EU's Internal Market and maintain close operational ties with EU institutions and stakeholders in Brussels.

Luxembourg, Luxembourg

Address: 1, rue du Fort Thüngen, L-1499 Luxembourg

To provide the judicial arm for the EFTA States concerning the EEA Agreement, ensuring legal conformity and consistent application of EEA law across Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

Luxembourg, Luxembourg

Address: Bâtiment Joseph Bech, 5 Rue Alphonse Weicker, L-2721 Luxembourg (co-located with Eurostat)

To ensure the production and dissemination of high-quality, comparable statistical information for the EFTA States and to facilitate their integration into the European Statistical System, supporting evidence-based policymaking.

Buying Intent Signals for EFTA

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Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading EFTA? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, EFTA' leadership includes:

Henri Gétaz - Secretary-General
Pascal Schafhauser - Deputy Secretary-General (Geneva)
Andri Lúthersson - Deputy Secretary-General (Brussels)

Who's Investing in EFTA?

EFTA has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

The European Free Trade Association is primarily funded by financial contributions from its four Member States: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The budget is determined by the EFTA Council, reflecting the shared commitment of the member countries to the organization's objectives and operations.

What Leadership Changes Has EFTA Seen Recently?

Hire0
Exits0

In the past 12 months, the European Free Trade Association's top leadership, including the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-Generals, has remained stable with no major publicly announced new hires or departures. This continuity supports the ongoing work of the organization in managing trade agreements and the EEA. Any changes at director or head of unit level are typically managed internally or announced through specific departmental communications.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byEFTA?

Discover the tools EFTA uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

EFTA Email Formats and Examples

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) generally uses standardized email formats for its staff, which is common practice for international organizations. While specific individual email addresses are not broadly publicized for all staff, the structure typically involves combinations of employee names and the official domain '@efta.int'. For official inquiries, it is recommended to use the contact forms or general email addresses provided on the EFTA website.

Common patterns include [first_initial][last_name]@efta.int (e.g., jsmith@efta.int) or [first_name].[last_name]@efta.int (e.g., jane.smith@efta.int).

Format

generic.example@efta.int

Example

85%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About EFTA?

efta.intMay 17, 2024

European Free Trade Association news title: EEA Council convenes in Brussels to discuss Internal Market and geopolitical landscape

The 59th meeting of the European Economic Area (EEA) Council was held in Brussels on 17 May 2024. Ministers from the EEA EFTA States and the EU discussed the overall functioning of the EEA Agreement, the state of the Internal Market, and current geopolitical challenges, reaffirming their commitment to the Agreement....more

efta.intMay 15, 2024

European Free Trade Association news title: EFTA Parliamentary Committee meets with Moldovan counterparts in Chisinau

The EFTA Parliamentary Committee (EPC) visited Chișinău, Moldova, from 13 to 15 May 2024. The visit focused on strengthening EFTA-Moldova relations, particularly concerning the existing Free Trade Agreement, and discussing Moldova's EU accession path and its implications....more

efta.intApril 29, 2024

European Free Trade Association news title: EFTA focuses on digitalisation and sustainability in trade policy seminar

EFTA held a trade policy seminar on 24 April 2024 in Geneva, bringing together experts and officials to discuss the increasing importance of digitalisation and sustainability in modern trade agreements. The seminar explored how EFTA is addressing these evolving areas in its trade policy and negotiations....more

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