Relations between the Confederates and the other parts of what is now Switzerland took several different forms, ranging from subjection to independence.

At one end of the scale were the areas seized by conquest and administered as "common lordships" (gemeine Herrschaften in German, bailliages communs in French), in which the Confederation members took it in turns to appoint a bailiff (Vogt, baillis) to run their affairs.

The urban members also had their own subjects. for example dependent towns in the surrounding rural areas. These subjects (Landschaft in German) often enjoyed a considerable amount of autonomy, even able to appoint their own authorities.

Other towns were gradually incorporated under the terms of an alliance (Burgrecht, combourgeoisie), which could be made with a town, monastery or even an individual nobleman. Terms varied, but in general the ally provided troops and revenue in exchange for protection and access to markets. Bern was particularly aggressive in using this system to extend its power westwards.

Finally, there were areas known as "associated places" (zugewandte Orte, pays alliés), whose status varied considerably. Some eventually joined the Confederation as full members, or stayed outside but conducted their own policies; others became mere protectorates.