The United Kingdom and Switzerland have signed a landmark new trade agreement, described by Trade Secretary Peter Kyle as the most significant services deal the UK has ever negotiated. This accord aims to deepen economic ties between the two nations by removing barriers for businesses and travelers. Key components include the permanent extension of services mobility (previously set to expire in 2029), allowing professionals to work without work permits, and the elimination of mobile roaming charges for visitors. Additionally, the deal facilitates smoother border crossings for British citizens traveling to Switzerland.
Advantages for British Citizens
Under this new agreement, British citizens will enjoy the following specific benefits:
- Access to E-Gates: Britons will be allowed to use automated e-gates at Swiss airports (starting with Zurich from the end of this year, followed by Geneva and Basel) for faster passage, mirroring the privileges already held by Swiss citizens in the UK.
- Note: This is separate from the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES); it is a bilateral arrangement between the UK and Switzerland.
- No Mobile Roaming Charges: Tourists and professionals traveling between the UK and Switzerland will no longer incur extra fees for using their mobile phones abroad.
- Extended Work Opportunities: UK employees can transfer to work in Switzerland for up to five years without facing stringent “economic needs tests.”
- Services Mobility Rights: Professionals in sectors such as law, accounting, and architecture can provide services in Switzerland for up to 90 days without requiring a work permit.
- Long-term Economic Impact: While not an immediate personal benefit, the deal is projected to increase annual UK exports to Switzerland by ÂŁ5.2bn, potentially leading to more investment and job creation that supports the broader economy from which citizens may eventually benefit.
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I found out last week that you can already use the eGates with a British passport if you have a Swiss residency permit.
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I found out last week that kids can’t use them at Basel, nor at Manchester, so I will be anyway forced to go through the manual checks.
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Will this have any influence on the price of gold?
I’ve always just gone through the Swiss and EU Passport entrance, perfectly acceptable if you have a C permit. Never tried the e-gates, doesn’t seem to be any point.
There’s a point when there’s a massive queue at the manned check but no one at the eGate, and you have a train to catch.
There is manned check for non-EU/non-Swiss with huge line and manned check for EU/Swiss (e.g. families with kids under 12) with no line or 1-2 persons max.
Which airport?
Phil was referring to Basel but I’m guessing not all of you have been flying through Basel.
My 11 yo went through the e-gates in London without any problem (even though there was a sign “from 12 years”).
What does Switzerland get?
BSL-MLH was a pain for a long time, always had a queue and that’s coming from Schengen countries, had “temporary” passport control for at least 4 years, whenever we land in Zurich we’re out in minutes.
Indeed, that has always been my experience when flying in through Geneva in recent years.
how does this compare to the freedom of movement the EU has?
Ha! At least at my work we’re looking at how to collaborate with UK colleagues (outsource work to them). If they move to Switzerland, our offerings loose competitiveness.
We used the e-gates at Zurich last year when we flew back from London City.
Whereas some tens of thousands of Brits were stuck in queues at Geneva airport this last winter.
IIRC in order to get to the e-gates, at least at Geneva, you had to show you had a Swiss or EU passport.