Intercantonal

Intercantonal is an adjective used to describe relations, actions, or instruments that involve two or more cantons within a federation where cantons retain significant autonomy—most commonly Switzerland. The term derives from inter- meaning between and cantonal, referring to the cantons. In practice, intercantonal arrangements are formal agreements, joint institutions, or administrative procedures designed to coordinate policy across cantonal borders.

Intercantonal cooperation covers a range of areas, including education, health care, taxation, transport, and land-use planning. Because cantons maintain sovereignty in many domains, such agreements enable consistent standards and efficient cross-border services without requiring federal centralization. Implementing intercantonal measures often relies on intergovernmental committees or commissions; the agreements are typically enacted through cantonal laws or joint statutes and may be supervised or facilitated by national bodies as appropriate.

In Switzerland, intercantonal cooperation is a central feature of the federal system. A notable example is HarmoS, the Intercantonal Agreement on the Harmonisation of the School Curriculum in the obligatory education level, which seeks to align basic education while preserving cantonal autonomy. Other intercantonal initiatives address areas such as shared hospital networks, cross-border transport services, and coordinated tax administration.

See also: Cantons of Switzerland, Federalism, HarmoS, intergovernmental agreements.