The Service Mobility Agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom has been extended until 31st December 2025. The agreement permits UK-based service providers to send employees to Switzerland for up to 90 days per calendar year, with the only requirement being a notification to the Swiss authorities.
What has changed?
The notification procedure permits service providers from European Union member states to send employees to Switzerland for up to 90 days per calendar year, while only requiring a simple notification to the Swiss government. The aim is for EU based companies to have a streamlined process for sending their employees on a short-term basis. Following the UK’s departure from the European Union on the 31st December 2020, the UK-based service providers would no longer be eligible for this process. Being one of Switzerland’s largest services trading partners, a provisional Service Mobility Agreement was therefore established in January 2021 to allow UK nationals seeking to work in Switzerland for up to 90 days to continue to benefit from the notification procedure. Under the Service Mobility Agreement, there are no limitations set for the type of activity that can be performed. UK nationals are required to apply for the short-term work authorisation via an online portal. Following submission of their request, approvals are issued within one to two business days.
The Service Mobility Agreement has now been extended to the 31st December 2025, and will continue to permit UK-based service providers to use the notification procedure to send employees to Switzerland for up to 90 days per calendar year.
What you need to do
For further information on agreements between Switzerland the UK, please contact the Sterling Lexicon immigration team at immigration@sterlinglexicon.com.
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