The UK-Switzerland Recognition of Professional Qualifications Agreement will mean Britons’ qualifications in more than 200 professions are recognised in Switzerland, according to the Department for Business and Trade
UK-qualified professionals, such as lawyers and ski instructors, will be able to work in Switzerland thanks to a new agreement announced by ministers.
The UK-Switzerland Recognition of Professional Qualifications Agreement ensures that over 200 British qualifications are recognised in Switzerland, says the Department for Business and Trade.
This replaces a similar agreement that expired at the end of 2024 while the UK was leaving the EU. The announcement coincides with Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds’ visit to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum annual meeting at Davos this week.
The department said that the new deal covers a wide range of professions, from auditors to driving instructors and cabin crew, and for the first time, anaesthetists. It takes the place of the citizens’ rights agreement reached in 2018 as the UK was exiting the EU, which provided similar cover for professional qualifications for UK and Swiss nationals living in both countries.
Drawing from his experience as a trainee solicitor, Mr Reynolds said: “I know the challenges faced by UK professionals when working abroad and innovative agreements like this will make a real difference to our world-class services sectors”.
He added: “As a resolutely pro-business Government, we want to make it as seamless as possible for UK businesses to operate abroad. With the UK and Switzerland being two global leaders in services trade, this agreement is testament to our unwavering commitment to economic growth.”
The recent summit in Switzerland comes in the wake of a report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) that revealed a dip in optimism globally amidst escalating worries about armed conflicts. According to the WEF’s annual global risk survey, climate change and extreme weather events top the list of long-term fears, yet rising geopolitical tensions are injecting more uncertainty into the economy.
More than 900 experts surveyed expressed their concern, with over half, 52%, predicting an “unsettled” outlook for the world stage in the next couple of years. Trade policies also form part of this unease, especially with the potential imposition of fresh tariffs by the US under Donald Trump later this year.