A new agreement between the UK and Switzerland, announced last week, will make it easier for UK-qualified business professionals to work in Switzerland and vice versa.

The agreement covers a wide range of professions, including lawyers, auditors, driving instructors, cabin crew, and anaesthesia associates.

Professionals and businesses looking to supply services in regulated sectors abroad typically need their qualifications recognised by the destination country. This new deal is expected to provide a boost to UK-Swiss trade. Government statistics indicate that trade between the two countries is currently worth £46 billion annually, with professional and business services accounting for £8 billion.

The agreement could be particularly beneficial for lawyers and legal firms. It allows certain legal professionals to become qualified in the other country after practising for three years. As Switzerland is one of the largest and most important export markets for UK legal services in Europe, this could be vital for legal firms and businesses with legal teams to determine how best to deploy qualified staff between UK and Swiss offices.

Discussions are ongoing regarding an upgraded UK-Switzerland trade deal.

See: UK firms boosted by new qualifications agreement with Switzerland