Transfer fees waived and expedited airport checks under the UK-Switzerland agreement

The UK has signed a new trade deal with Switzerland that will allow British travelers to pass through airports faster using e-gates for the first time.

Described by business secretary Peter Kyle as “the most important services trade deal the UK has ever negotiated”, the deal will eliminate mobile phone roaming charges for tourists and professionals visiting the two countries.

The government says the deal will boost UK exports to Switzerland by £5.2bn a year in the “long term”.

The Services Mobility Agreement, which allows businesses to provide services for up to 90 days without a work permit, expires in 2029, but the new agreement will make this on a permanent basis.

UK passport holders will be allowed to use e-gates at Zurich airport from the end of this year, the government said, with Geneva and Basel airports soon to announce plans for adoption.

The scheme differs from Switzerland’s implementation of the EU’s new border control system – the Entry/Exit System (EES), which allows British citizens to use EU eGates.

UK workers are allowed to relocate to work in Switzerland for up to five years without strict economic needs tests.

Lawyers, accountants and architects are among the professionals who will benefit, according to ministers.

Around 800,000 Britons visit Switzerland each year, according to government figures.

Switzerland is the UK’s sixth largest services export market, with more than £30 billion in services trade between the two countries by 2025. Its citizens can use eGates at UK airports.

The deal comes after trade deals with the US, 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 being succeeded by Andy Burnham.

“Whether you’re growing a business or traveling for work, this deal is about making life easier and creating more opportunity for people across the UK,” Sir Keir said.

“This means it will be easier for British companies to sell their expertise in our most important markets in Europe, supporting jobs and investment here at home.”

Meanwhile, the Transport Secretary held talks with the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. Europe’s new EES border system.

Heidi Alexander and Apostolos Tzizikostas “agreed to work together to achieve as many EES inspections as possible before the busy summer season,” the UK government said.