Switzerland Eases Border Controls for UK Citizens

16th July 2026

Agreement has been reached on faster border processing and the return of free mobile roaming under a new UK-Switzerland trade agreement. It could lead to employment opportunities in ski resorts returning. NEW

The deal introduces a series of travel measures aimed at making business and leisure trips easier while also strengthening economic ties between the two countries.

See here for further details.

The biggest change for travellers is the phased introduction of automated passport e-gates for British passport holders.

The rollout is planned to start later this year at Zurich Airport,before expanding to Basel and Geneva airports in 2027.

Zurich and Basel are used to access to ski resorts in central and eastern Switzerland.

Geneva is used for those heading to resorts in western Switzerland and is a gateway to many of the major French ski areas.

Geneva airport – photo © PlanetSKI

UK employees will also be permitted to transfer to work in Switzerland for up to five years without stringent economic needs tests.

This could ease the way for UK workers such as bar/hotel staff and ski instructors to work in Swiss ski resorts but the exact detail is yet to be clarified.

The agreement also ends mobile roaming charges between the UK and Switzerland.

UK skiers and snowboarders will once again be able to use their mobile phones in Switzerland without paying additional roaming fees.

The timing of implementation and which mobile operators participate have yet to be confirmed.

The return of free roaming will be welcomed by the large number of British skiers who visit Swiss resorts.

UK service professionals will be able to travel to Switzerland visa-free for up to 90 days per year for short-term business activities.

The reciprocal arrangement allows Swiss companies to send staff to the UK for short-term contract work without requiring visas for stays of up to 90 days.

Once the legal formalities have been finalised Switzerland and the UK will prepare for the signing of the agreement.

The aim is to have the agreement signed by the end of 2026, followed by the required domestic approval procedures.

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