The UK and Switzerland have signed a trade deal that will allow British passport holders to use e-gates at Swiss airports and eliminate data roaming charges for travellers. Trade secretary Peter Kyle described the agreement as “the most significant services trade deal the UK has ever negotiated.”
E-Gates Rollout and Roaming Charges Axed
UK nationals will be able to use e-gates at Zurich airport by the end of 2026, with Geneva and Basel airports following later. The move is expected to reduce queues and speed up travel for business and leisure passengers. Additionally, data roaming charges for mobile phone use in Switzerland will be scrapped, benefiting travellers who work or holiday in the country.
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed she and European commissioner for sustainable transport and tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas have agreed to collaborate on smooth summer travel arrangements.
Economic Impact and Trade Boost
The government says the deal will increase UK exports to Switzerland by £5.2 billion annually “in the long run,” according to the BBC. Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Whether you’re growing a business or travelling for work, this agreement is about making life easier and creating more opportunity for people across the UK. It means British firms will find it easier to sell their expertise in one of our most important markets in Europe, supporting jobs and investment here at home.”
Chris Hayward, City of London Corporation policy chairman, praised the deal: “This is a gold-standard trade agreement for the UK’s biggest export successes: its world-class services. The City of London and Switzerland have long enjoyed a strong partnership built on trust, expertise and global reach. This deal shows what can be achieved when trade policy is built around the sectors where the UK leads the world, and its benefits for UK businesses and the wider economy will be felt for decades to come. It is also hugely welcome news that UK nationals will soon have access to Swiss eGates, reducing friction and queues at the airport, and allowing business travellers more time to do business. This has been both a personal priority and one for the City of London Corporation and we are delighted with the progress made.”
Broader Trade Context
The agreement follows other trade deals struck with the US, India, the Gulf Cooperation Council, South Korea, and the EU. The UK government aims to strengthen services exports, which are a key driver of the economy.
