Published on 1 January 2021

United Kingdom

United Kingdom’s exit from the EU: consequences for Switzerland

The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020. In the withdrawal agreement, both parties agreed on a transition period until 31 December 2020. This meant that the existing bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU remained in force with respect to the United Kingdom until 31 December 2020.

The Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) between Switzerland and the EU no longer applies with the UK from 1 January 2021. From this date, UK nationals are no longer EU/EFTA nationals, but are considered third country nationals.

UK nationals residing in Switzerland prior to 1 January 2021: acquired rights

Switzerland and the UK signed an agreement on 25 February 2019 on the acquired rights of their citizens. The agreement has been applicable since 1 January 2021 and allows Swiss and UK nationals to keep the rights they acquired up to 31 December 2020 based on the AFMP. Family reunification also remains possible after this date.

UK nationals coming to live and work in Switzerland after 31 December 2020 are not covered by the agreement on acquired rights (see below).

Further information on UK nationals who have acquired rights based on the AFMP is available at:
UK nationals with acquired rights.

UK nationals entering Switzerland from 1 January 2021 for the first time: employment

UK nationals coming to Switzerland to work from 1 January 2021 are third-country nationals. They must apply for a permit from the cantonal immigration and labour market authorities prior to taking up employment. The admission requirements are governed by the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (FNIA).

Further information on admission to the labour market is available at:
UK nationals coming to Switzerland to work from 1 January 2021.

Information on staying in Switzerland without working is available under ’Residenceʼ
and on entering the country and visa requirements under ’Entryʼ.

FAQ Working in Switzerland
Non-EU/EFTA nationals
Information on working in Switzerland and work permits for third country nationals
Swiss–UK relations post Brexit
Information portal Switzerland’s European policy (FDJP and Europe Division, STS-FDFA)
Brexit FAQ
Embassy of Switzerland in the United Kingdom
Social security
Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO)
Economic relations CH-UK
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
Recognition of foreign qualifications
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)
Information on Brexit for UK citizens
British Embassy in Bern
Abkommen Schweiz-UK über die erworbenen Rechte der Bürgerinnen und Bürger
(BBl 2020 1085) UK-Switzerland Agreement on acquired citizens’ rights (This document is not available in English)
Temporary UK-Switzerland Services Mobility Agreement, SMA

Legislation and federal directives – law on foreign nationals
Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (FNIA)
(CC 142.20)
Ordinance on Admission, Period of Stay and Employment (VZAE)
(SR 142.201; not available in English)
Freedom of Movement Introduction Ordinance (FMIO)
(SR 142.203; not available in English)
Directives on foreign nationals
(not available in English)
FMIO directives
(not available in English)
The complete documentation is available in German, French or Italian.
Rundschreiben: Teilrevision der Verordnung über Zulassung, Aufenthalt und Erwerbstätigkeit vom 24. Oktober 2007 (VZAE). Höchstzahlen für die Kontingentsperiode 2021
Brexit Circular: Partial revision of the Ordinance on Admission, Residence and Gainful Employment of 24 October 2007 (VZAE), quota period 2021 (25 November 2020). (This document is not available in English)
PDF291.02 kB25 November 2020
Rundschreiben: Brexit – Schutz der erworbenen FZA-Rechte UK-Staatsangehöriger
Circular on the application of the Agreement of 25 February 2019 between the Swiss Confederation and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Citzens’ Rights following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union and the Free Movement of Persons Agreement (14 December 2020 + 1 January 2026). (This document is not available in English)
PDF268.74 kB14 December 2020
The complete documentation is available in German, French or Italian.
2020
18 December 2020
Switzerland and UK to sign Memorandum of Understanding strengthening bilateral cooperation on migration
At its meeting on 18 December, the Federal Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom (UK) on mobility and extending cooperation on migration. Although not legally binding, the MoU underlines the close cooperation between the two countries in the field of migration and serves as a basis for future mutual support. It forms part of the Swiss government’s Mind the Gap strategy, which is designed to preserve continuity in Swiss-UK relations beyond Brexit.
More about «Switzerland and UK to sign Memorandum of Understanding strengthening bilateral cooperation on migration»
31 January 2020
UK’s withdrawal from the EU: bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU continue to apply
The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union at midnight on 31 January 2020 will not change the relationship between Switzerland and the UK in the near future: the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU will continue to apply to the UK until the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 (which may be extended). Switzerland can use the transition period to continue to work out together with the UK their future relationship as part of the Swiss “Mind the Gap” strategy.
More about «UK’s withdrawal from the EU: bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU continue to apply»
14.12.2020 (SECO)
Switzerland and the UK sign agreement on mobility of service suppliers
2019
6 December 2019
Federal Council adopts dispatch on the agreement between Switzerland and the UK on citizens’ rights
At its meeting on 6 December, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the agreement guaranteeing the existing rights of Swiss and UK citizens after the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. The agreement is part of the Federal Council’s ’Mind the Gap’ strategy.
More about «Federal Council adopts dispatch on the agreement between Switzerland and the UK on citizens’ rights»
14 August 2019
Consultation on labour market-related fallback agreement in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit
On 17 April, the Federal Council approved a temporary agreement with the United Kingdom on admission to the labour market in the event of the UK’s disorderly departure from the European Union. Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter signed the agreement in London on 10 July. At its meeting on 14 August, the Federal Council opened consultation proceedings on the agreement. The consultation runs until 21 November.
More about «Consultation on labour market-related fallback agreement in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit»
10 July 2019
Federal Councillor Keller-Sutter on a working visit to London: Switzerland strengthens cooperation with the UK
The United Kingdom and Switzerland intend to work more closely on fighting terrorism and crime. On 10 July, the head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police FDJP, Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter, was in London to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect with her British counterpart. She also signed an agreement on mutual access to the UK and Swiss labour markets in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
More about «Federal Councillor Keller-Sutter on a working visit to London: Switzerland strengthens cooperation with the UK»
17 April 2019
Temporary agreement to safeguard access to the labour market even in the event of a ’no-deal’ Brexit
At its meeting on 17 April, the Federal Council approved a temporary agreement with the United Kingdom on access to the Swiss labour market. The agreement will apply in the event of the UK’s disorderly departure from the EU. For a limited transition period, it would introduce simplified requirements for working in either country. In this way, the Federal Council plans to safeguard the interests of the Swiss economy with regard to the recruitment of British workers, and the ability of Swiss nationals to access the UK labour market.
More about «Temporary agreement to safeguard access to the labour market even in the event of a ’no-deal’ Brexit»
22 March 2019
Safeguarding relations between Switzerland and the UK in the field of migration post Brexit
At its meeting on 22 March the Federal Council took three decisions to safeguard good relations between Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK) in the field of migration in the event of the UK’s disorderly withdrawal from the European Union (EU). Firstly the Federal Council opened consultation proceedings on the agreement on acquired rights, which has already been signed. It also adopted a revision of the Ordinance on Admission, Period of Stay and Employment (ASEO) with a separate quota for UK nationals. Lastly the Federal Council decided that UK nationals would be exempt from the requirement to obtain a visa to enter Switzerland after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
More about «Safeguarding relations between Switzerland and the UK in the field of migration post Brexit»
25 February 2019
Signing of agreement between Switzerland and the UK on citizens’ rights
Switzerland and the United Kingdom are safeguarding the existing rights of their citizens for the time when the UK is no longer a member of the EU. As part of the Federal Council’s Mind the gap strategy, State Secretary Mario Gattiker and his British counterpart, Parliamentary Under-Secretary Christopher Heaton-Harris, signed an agreement in Bern.
More about «Signing of agreement between Switzerland and the UK on citizens’ rights»
13 February 2019
Quotas for UK citizens in the event of a disorderly withdrawal from the EU
The Federal Council aims to safeguard its close bilateral relations with the United Kingdom after Brexit. At its meeting on 13 February, it decided on arrangements for the admission of British citizens in the event of the United Kingdom’s disorderly withdrawal from the European Union. A separate quota of permits will be made available for British citizens who wish to come to Switzerland to work after 30 March 2019. The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) will draft amendments to the Ordinance on Admission, Period of Stay and Employment (ASEO) by the end of March.
More about «Quotas for UK citizens in the event of a disorderly withdrawal from the EU»
2018
20 December 2018
Brexit: Switzerland and the UK guarantee citizens’ existing rights
At its meeting on 19 December, the Federal Council approved an agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) on the rights of citizens following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU (Brexit). The agreement safeguards the rights of Swiss and UK nationals acquired under the Free Movement of Persons Agreement (e.g. residence rights). This measure is part of the Swiss government’s ‘Mind the Gap’ strategy, the purpose of which is to ensure the acquired rights and obligations of citizens after Brexit.
More about «Brexit: Switzerland and the UK guarantee citizens’ existing rights»

United Kingdom

United Kingdom’s exit from the EU: consequences for Switzerland

UK nationals residing in Switzerland prior to 1 January 2021: acquired rights

UK nationals entering Switzerland from 1 January 2021 for the first time: employment

Further information

Legal basis

Legislation and federal directives – law on foreign nationals

Circulars

Rundschreiben: Teilrevision der Verordnung über Zulassung, Aufenthalt und Erwerbstätigkeit vom 24. Oktober 2007 (VZAE). Höchstzahlen für die Kontingentsperiode 2021

Rundschreiben: Brexit – Schutz der erworbenen FZA-Rechte UK-Staatsangehöriger

Press releases

2020

Switzerland and UK to sign Memorandum of Understanding strengthening bilateral cooperation on migration

UK’s withdrawal from the EU: bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU continue to apply

2019

Federal Council adopts dispatch on the agreement between Switzerland and the UK on citizens’ rights

Consultation on labour market-related fallback agreement in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit

Federal Councillor Keller-Sutter on a working visit to London: Switzerland strengthens cooperation with the UK

Temporary agreement to safeguard access to the labour market even in the event of a ’no-deal’ Brexit

Safeguarding relations between Switzerland and the UK in the field of migration post Brexit

Signing of agreement between Switzerland and the UK on citizens’ rights

Quotas for UK citizens in the event of a disorderly withdrawal from the EU

2018

Brexit: Switzerland and the UK guarantee citizens’ existing rights