Switzerland/United Kingdom: Services Mobility Agreement Extended into 2029

The situation

Effective December 1, 2025, Switzerland and the United Kingdom will extend their bilateral Services Mobility Agreement (SMA) until December 31, 2029. The SMA allows UK-based service providers seeking to provide a service in Switzerland for up to 90 days per calendar year to do so by notifying the Swiss government.

A closer look

• Notification procedure. Under the SMA, Switzerland continues to apply the notification procedure to UK nationals who seek to work in Switzerland up to 90 days. These professionals have access to a short-term work authorization through an online portal, under which approvals are available within one to two business day following application submission.
• Types of activities allowed under agreement. There are no limitations set by law for the types of activities that can be performed under the SMA.
• Longer stays. For stays over 90 days, standard Swiss work authorization processes apply, including quotas and possible labor market testing.
• Benefits for Swiss entities. The SMA also allows Swiss companies to retain preferential access to the UK market across over 30 service sectors, via the Global Business Mobility Service Supplier route.

Impact

This continuation of existing policy ensures that business can maintain rapid deployment and predictable project planning with reduced administrative challenge.

Background

This SMA was established after Brexit to ensure UK-based service providers did not lose their ability to benefit from the notification procedure as this is only available for EU-based companies seeking to send staff to Switzerland using a faster process. It has been extended on previous occasions. In 2024, approximately 3,500 UK nationals provided services in Switzerland under the SMA.

Looking ahead

The SMA remains a temporary arrangement pending negotiations of an enhanced Switzerland–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The future FTA is expected to define a long-term framework for trade in services and mobility of professionals.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected] (Switzerland) or [email protected] (United Kingdom).