UK professionals gain easier access to Swiss job market in new qualifications deal

January 20, 2025 — UK-qualified professionals across a wide range of sectors, from law and veterinary medicine to ski instruction, will find it significantly easier to work in Switzerland thanks to a new permanent agreement recognizing professional qualifications, the UK Governemnt has accounced.

The UK-Switzerland Recognition of Professional Qualifications Agreement, which replaces previous arrangements under the Citizens’ Rights Agreement, aims to streamline the process for UK professionals in regulated sectors to have their qualifications recognized in Switzerland. This move is expected to boost trade and strengthen both economies.

This agreement covers over 200 UK professions, including lawyers, auditors, driving instructors, cabin crew, and, for the first time, anaesthesia associates, a press release by the UK Government stated. For regulated professions, qualification recognition is often essential for providing services overseas. The deal is projected to boost UK-Swiss trade, currently valued at £46 billion annually, particularly in professional and business services, which account for £8 billion of that total.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, a former trainee solicitor, highlighted the challenges UK professionals face when working abroad and emphasized the positive impact of such agreements on the UK’s world-class services sector. "As a resolutely pro-business Government, we want to make it as seamless as possible for UK businesses to operate abroad," he said. "With the UK and Switzerland being two global leaders in services trade, this agreement is testament to our unwavering commitment to economic growth."

A key feature of the agreement, according to the announcement, is a bespoke route to recognition for legal professionals, allowing lawyers to qualify in the other country after three years of practice. This is particularly significant given that Switzerland is one of the largest export markets for UK legal services in Europe. Justice Minister Sarah Sackman KC noted that legal services contributed £37 billion to the UK economy in 2023, and this agreement further strengthens the UK’s global legal ties.

A separate agreement has also been reached to simplify the process for UK-qualified ski instructors to work in Switzerland, a leading destination for snow sports. This was achieved through collaboration between the British Association of Snowsports Instructors and Swiss Snowsports.

This announcement comes as negotiations continue for an enhanced UK-Swiss Free Trade Agreement, which aims to further strengthen ties in services, investment, and digital trade, driving economic growth and job creation across the UK.

Industry leaders have welcomed the agreement. RIBA President Muyiwa Oki stated that close trading ties with European neighbors are crucial for British architecture’s global success. Financial Reporting Council CEO Richard Moriarty added that securing mutual recognition agreements is beneficial for the future skills and resilience of the UK audit profession.

The UK-Switzerland services trade was valued at £27 billion in the 12 months leading up to June 2024.

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