British holidaymakers and business travellers are set to benefit from a major overhaul of travel arrangements to Switzerland, as a new £5.2 billion trade deal brings significant changes to border crossings and mobile phone usage. The landmark agreement, hailed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as his "final major international deal", introduces e-gate access at Swiss airports and border crossings, with the initial rollout starting later this year in Zurich Airport.
The comprehensive deal includes the abolition of mobile phone roaming charges for British nationals in Switzerland, a move expected to save Britons substantial amounts on their overseas bills. The agreement also solidifies existing trading terms for a wide range of goods, including medicines, cars, art, jewellery, and photographic materials, with trade officials anticipating that it will eventually unlock an additional £5.2 billion per year in UK services exports to Switzerland.
For business travellers, the deal offers visa-free travel for up to 90 days a year for UK services professionals entering Switzerland, aiming to simplify immigration requirements. Conversely, Swiss companies bringing personnel to the UK for short-term contract delivery will also benefit from visa-free entry for up to 90 days. Industry figures have welcomed the "gold standard" agreement, praising its potential to reduce friction at the border and enhance business opportunities.
The pharmaceutical sector has also received a boost, with the deal ensuring the continuation of existing patent protections in both countries. This has been particularly welcomed by industry bodies, who had expressed concerns that the UK might seek to reduce patent protection periods. Richard Torbett, chief executive of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, highlighted the explicit commitment from both sides to maintain a "strong and proportionate intellectual property regime."
Mark Samuels, chief executive of Medicines UK, which represents suppliers of a significant proportion of NHS medicines, stated that the deal safeguards the NHS's access to affordable generic medicines. This is achieved by maintaining current terms of protection within the UK domestic system, balancing innovation with accessibility.