The UK and Swiss governments have agreed a deal that will
allow British business travellers to continue travelling freely to the Alpine
nation after the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December.
The two governments have agreed a UK-Switzerland Services
Mobility Agreement which will allow UK business travellers to enter Switzerland
without facing economic interest tests and work visa-free for up to 90 days a
year.
The agreement enters into force from 1 January 2021 and will
initially last two years.
The UK and Switzerland have also committed to work together on
the mutual recognition of professional qualifications in each other’s country. This
will make it easier for British professionals – from accountants to
architects – to practise in Switzerland.
International trade secretary Liz Truss said: “We have a golden
opportunity to lead the world in modern areas like tech and services, and to
push new frontiers in trade. Ultimately, we want to create a cat’s cradle of
deals with dynamic economies that share our values and commitment to
rules-based free trade.
“This deal – with a fellow services
powerhouse – is an important part of that vision. It provides vital continuity
for businesses and paves the way for a more advanced deal with Switzerland in
the future.”
Miles Celic, chief executive officer, TheCityUK said: “Businesses
in both the UK and Switzerland will welcome this agreement. Mobility is a vital
foundation for successful trade relations and this exceeds the expectations of
what many people thought could be achieved in the time available.”