Enhanced Swiss Trade Deal

Reacting to news of an upgraded free trade agreement with Switzerland, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: 

"This is an important upgrade as Switzerland is one of the UK's largest trading partners, especially in services. It will provide welcome certainty for thousands of companies in the legal, financial services, and accounting professions. 

“It includes improvements on mobility of staff and allows UK nationals to work in Switzerland for 90 days every year visa-free. The relaxation of the rules around data origin and transfer will also give certainty on the free flow of information which is the lifeblood of international commerce and trade.  

“UK firms have frequently told the BCC about the problems of lengthy queues on arrival at the Swiss border since 2021. So, new provisions to allow people from the UK to use e-gates at Swiss airports will be particularly welcome. 

“This will make it easier to deepen investment relationships between our two countries. The commitments on no new roaming charges for mobile phones also adds to this being a business-friendly trade deal. 

“This is a modern agreement for two outward looking services trading countries. We now need to focus on realising its full potential to raise economic growth and exports." 

More details on the trade deal can be found here.