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By Katrin Henzi
Suter Howald Rechtsanwälte
Switzerland

Brexit is a fact. The United Kingdom left the European Union effective Friday 31 January 2020. The withdrawal agreement foresees a transitional period from 1 February 2020 to 31 December 2020 – subject to a possible extension – during which agreements concerning the period beyond 31 December 2020 will be negotiated.

During the transition period, the bilateral agreements between the EU and Switzerland will remain effective. This means that British citizens can continue to invoke the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons with their rights remaining unchanged until the end of December 2020.

As part of its “Mind the gap” strategy, the Swiss Federal Council has already taken steps to ensure good bilateral relations between Switzerland and the United Kingdom beyond Brexit. This includes a series of agreements in the areas of trade, insurance, road and air transport as well as migration, which will enter into force on the date on which the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons will cease to apply – probably after the end of the transitional period on 1 January 2021.