In 1962 and 2004, Switzerland ratified the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two protocols of 1954 and 1999. The Convention and its Protocols are not directly applicable.

The Second Protocol of 1999 to the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict introduced the status of enhanced protection. UNESCO maintains a List of Cultural Property under Enhanced Protection.

At the request of a third country, Switzerland provides a safe haven for the safeguarding of cultural property threatened by armed conflict, disasters, or emergencies.