UK and Switzerland Sign Deal to Remove Roaming Fees and Enable e-Gates for Britons

London – The United Kingdom and Switzerland have signed a new services agreement that the British government says will generate an additional £5.2 billion in UK exports each year over the long term. The deal, concluded on Thursday by UK Trade Secretary Kemi Baden‑Thomas and Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs Guy Parmelin, expands on the 2020 free‑trade accord by granting greater market access for financial, legal, digital and other professional services.

The agreement removes a number of regulatory and licensing barriers, introduces mutual recognition of qualifications and establishes a joint oversight committee to monitor implementation. Both governments highlighted the importance of the pact for deepening economic ties after the UK’s departure from the EU, noting that the services sector accounts for roughly 80 % of the UK’s trade. The parties expect the framework to be operational by early 2027, with periodic reviews to assess its impact on bilateral trade flows.