News
Modernization of the UK-CH Free Trade Agreement completed
Michael Kühn, Senior Consultant UK + Nordics
Aug 6, 2026
The modernized free trade agreement significantly expands the existing bilateral framework between Switzerland and the United Kingdom after Brexit. The agreement provides Swiss companies with improved conditions in particular in the areas of services, investment, digital trade and intellectual property protection.
The negotiations were substantively concluded in July 2026. The agreement is now being legally finalized, signed, domestically approved, and then brought into force.
What’s new?
Services have already been the subject of separate and sectoral bilateral arrangements between Switzerland and the United Kingdom. What is new is that they are now covered more broadly and in a more modern way in the modernized free trade agreement – along with important issues such as investment, the mobility of service providers, digital trade and intellectual property. The agreement thus substantially expands the contractual framework created after Brexit and contributes to greater legal certainty.
The modernized free trade agreement is an important step in further developing bilateral economic relations after Brexit. The key now will be to use these improved conditions to the benefit of Swiss SMEs. This is where S-GE can support companies with information and market expertise.
Michael Kühn
Senior Consultant UK + NordicsWhat happened after Brexit?
With the end of the Brexit transition period, the agreements between Switzerland and the EU were no longer applicable in relation to the United Kingdom. Therefore, Switzerland had to secure the existing economic relations with the UK bilaterally. The aim was to avoid a disruption in economic relations and to ensure as much continuity as possible for businesses.
What does “Mind the Gap” mean?
“Mind the Gap” was the Swiss approach to closing or bridging the gap in bilateral relations with the United Kingdom created by Brexit. The focus was on taking over the essential existing rights and obligations as far as possible, so that companies would not end up in a state of legal uncertainty. The primary aim was continuity, not fundamental substantive development. The modernized agreement now goes beyond this continuity assurance.
What actual improvements will Swiss companies see?
For Swiss companies, clearer, more modern and more reliable framework conditions for business with the United Kingdom are particularly relevant. The proposals include improved conditions for cross-border provision of services, contractually more reliable and more targeted rules on the mobility of service providers, more modern rules for digital business and an enhanced protection of intellectual property. In addition, improvements are planned for investments, customs procedures and certain aspects of trade in goods.
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Further information
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SECO Dossier on the Free Trade Agreement between UK and Switzerland