The UK has signed a new trade deal with Switzerland that will allow British travelers to get through airports faster using e-gates for the first time.
The deal, described by Trade Secretary Peter Kyle as “the most significant services trade deal the UK has ever negotiated”, will also abolish mobile roaming charges for tourists and professionals visiting the two countries.
The government said it estimated the deal would increase UK exports to Switzerland by £5.2 billion a year “over the long term”.
The Service Mobility Agreement, which allows companies to provide services for up to 90 days without a work permit, was due to expire in 2029, but the new deal puts it on a permanent basis.
The government has said British passport holders will be allowed to use electronic gates at Zurich Airport as early as the end of this year, while Geneva and Basel airports are expected to announce adoption dates soon.
The plan is separate from Switzerland’s implementation of the EU’s new border control system, the Entry/Exit System (EES). This system allows UK citizens to use EU eGates.
British employees are allowed to work in Switzerland for up to five years without a strict economic needs test.
Ministers said lawyers, accountants and architects were among the professionals who would benefit.
Around 800,000 Britons visit Switzerland every year, according to government figures.
Switzerland is the UK’s sixth largest services export market, with services trade between the two countries worth more than £30 billion in 2025. Swiss citizens can already use eGate at UK airports.
The agreement comes after trade agreements were signed with the United States, India, the Gulf Cooperation Council, South Korea and the European Union.
It also comes as Sir Keir Starmer enters his final weeks as prime minister before he is replaced by Andy Burnham.
Sir Keir said: “Whether you are growing your business or traveling for work, this deal will make life easier and create more opportunities for people across the UK.”
“This means it will be easier for British companies to sell their expertise in one of Europe’s most important markets, supporting jobs and investment here at home.”
Meanwhile, the transport minister spoke with the European Commission for Sustainable Transport and Tourism about Europe’s new EES border system.
The UK government said Heidi Alexander and Apostolos Tzitzikostas “agreed to work together with the aim of ensuring the smoothest possible EES inspection ahead of the busy summer period”.
