What Is The Capital Of Switzerland? Bern is the de-facto capital of Switzerland. However, the country does not have an official capital city. Bern is referred to within Switzerland as the federal city. Although Switzerland is without an official capital, the city of Bern is the de-facto seat of government in the country. Before 1848, the cantons of Zurich, Berne, and Lucerne hosted the Confederal Diet in two-year rotations. In 1848, however, it was decided that the city of Bern in the canton of Bern would from then on host the seat of government. Although it is referred to as the Federal City and the de-facto capital of Switzerland, officially it is neither. A City Without a Status When Switzerland became a country in 1848, it was decided that the country would have no official capital city in an effort to award every territory in the country equal importance. However, Bern (French: Berne) was chosen to host the seat of the country’s federal government at thi...