UK-Switzerland deal to scrap roaming charges and allow Britons to use airport e-gates

The UK has signed a new trade deal with Switzerland that will scrap mobile roaming charges for tourists and professionals and allow British travellers to use airport e-gates for the first time, according to BBC. The UK government said the agreement is estimated to increase UK exports to Switzerland by £5.2bn a year “in the long run”. A services mobility arrangement allowing businesses to provide services for up to 90 days without a work permit, previously due to expire in 2029, will be made permanent under the deal. The government said UK passport holders will be able to use e-gates at Zurich airport from as soon as the end of this year, with Geneva and Basel to set timetables. UK employees will also be permitted to transfer to work in Switzerland for up to five years without stringent economic needs tests. Government figures cited by the BBC show about 800,000 Britons visit Switzerland each year. Switzerland was described as the UK’s sixth-largest services export market, with more than £30bn in services trade between the two countries in 2025.