Federal Council initiates consultation on amendments to AEOI legal basis

27.02.2019 — Press release DEA
During its meeting on 27 February 2019, the Federal Council initiated the consultation on the revision of the Federal Act and Ordinance on the International Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters (AEOI). Recommendations of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes (Global Forum) are thereby to be implemented.

Signing of agreement between Switzerland and the UK on citizens’ rights

25.02.2019 — Press release DEA
Switzerland and the United Kingdom are safeguarding the existing rights of their citizens for the time when the UK is no longer a member of the EU. As part of the Federal Council’s Mind the gap strategy, State Secretary Mario Gattiker and his British counterpart, Parliamentary Under-Secretary Christopher Heaton-Harris, signed an agreement in Bern.

President Maurer meets Bulgarian President Rumen Radev in the Bernese Oberland

22.02.2019 — Press release DEA
President Ueli Maurer met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev in Meiringen in the Bernese Oberland on Friday, 22 February. Subjects addressed during the official talks included bilateral relations between Switzerland and Bulgaria, and European policy.

Federal Council delegation receives Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at the Lohn country residence

13.02.2019 — Press release DEA
On Wednesday, 13 February, a delegation of the Federal Council headed by President Ueli Maurer, received the Dutch Prime Minister, Mr Mark Rutte, at the Lohn country residence. In addition to bilateral issues, the discussions also covered looming European and international challenges.

Quotas for UK citizens in the event of a disorderly withdrawal from the EU

13.02.2019 — Press release DEA
The Federal Council aims to safeguard its close bilateral relations with the United Kingdom after Brexit. At its meeting on 13 February, it decided on arrangements for the admission of British citizens in the event of the United Kingdom’s disorderly withdrawal from the European Union. A separate quota of permits will be made available for British citizens who wish to come to Switzerland to work after 30 March 2019. The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) will draft amendments to the Ordinance on Admission, Period of Stay and Employment (ASEO) by the end of March.

Switzerland and the UK sign trade agreement

11.02.2019 — Press release DEA
The continuation of economic and trade relations between Switzerland and the United Kingdom after the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit) is assured. Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and the British Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox, signed a bilateral trade agreement in Bern on 11 February.

Switzerland and United Kingdom sign insurance and road traffic agreements

25.01.2019 — Press release DEA
President Ueli Maurer signed an agreement on direct insurance other than life assurance with the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, on 25 January 2019 in Davos, as well as a road traffic agreement with Jane Owen, Her Majesty's Ambassador to Switzerland. This will ensure the seamless continuation of the current regulations in these areas even after the United Kingdom (UK) has left the EU. Depending on the exit scenario, the agreements will enter into force either at the end of March 2019 or at the end of a transitional period.

European policy: arrangements for consultations on the draft institutional agreement

16.01.2019 — Press release DEA
At its meeting of 16 January 2019, the Federal Council decided on the arrangements for consultations on the draft institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union. Interactive consultations will be held in the form of meetings with the groups concerned, providing an opportunity to explain the draft agreement and answer questions. The Federal Council will review the status of these consultations in the spring.

Brexit: Switzerland and the UK guarantee citizens’ existing rights

20.12.2018 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 19 December, the Federal Council approved an agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) on the rights of citizens following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU (Brexit). The agreement safeguards the rights of Swiss and UK nationals acquired under the Free Movement of Persons Agreement (e.g. residence rights). This measure is part of the Swiss government’s ‘Mind the Gap’ strategy, the purpose of which is to ensure the acquired rights and obligations of citizens after Brexit.

FDF enables recognition of EU trading venues

20.12.2018 — Press release DEA
The Federal Department of Finance (FDF) has noted the European Commission's decision of 20 December 2018 to extend Switzerland's stock market equivalence until the end of June 2019. As a result, the FDF – based on the Federal Council Ordinance of 30 November 2018 on the Recognition of Foreign Trading Venues – has created the prerequisite to allow EU trading venues to obtain the new FINMA recognition for the time being as well.

Federal Council lays the foundation for future economic and trade relations with the United Kingdom

14.12.2018 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 14 December the Federal Council approved the text of a trade agreement with the UK aiming to maintain existing economic and trade relations with the country after its departure from the European Union. The conclusion of this agreement forms part of the Federal Council’s ‘Mind the Gap’ strategy.

Federal Council initiates consultation on introduction of AEOI with 18 further states

07.12.2018 — Press release DEA
During its meeting on 7 December 2018, the Federal Council initiated the consultation on the introduction of the automatic exchange of financial account information (AEOI) with 18 further states and territories. The implementation of the AEOI is planned for 1 January 2020, and the first exchange of data should take place in 2021. The expansion of Switzerland's AEOI network takes current international developments into account.

Federal Council initiates consultation on amendments to AEOI legal basis

27.02.2019 — Press release DEA
During its meeting on 27 February 2019, the Federal Council initiated the consultation on the revision of the Federal Act and Ordinance on the International Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters (AEOI). Recommendations of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes (Global Forum) are thereby to be implemented.

Signing of agreement between Switzerland and the UK on citizens’ rights

25.02.2019 — Press release DEA
Switzerland and the United Kingdom are safeguarding the existing rights of their citizens for the time when the UK is no longer a member of the EU. As part of the Federal Council’s Mind the gap strategy, State Secretary Mario Gattiker and his British counterpart, Parliamentary Under-Secretary Christopher Heaton-Harris, signed an agreement in Bern.

President Maurer meets Bulgarian President Rumen Radev in the Bernese Oberland

22.02.2019 — Press release DEA
President Ueli Maurer met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev in Meiringen in the Bernese Oberland on Friday, 22 February. Subjects addressed during the official talks included bilateral relations between Switzerland and Bulgaria, and European policy.

Federal Council delegation receives Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at the Lohn country residence

13.02.2019 — Press release DEA
On Wednesday, 13 February, a delegation of the Federal Council headed by President Ueli Maurer, received the Dutch Prime Minister, Mr Mark Rutte, at the Lohn country residence. In addition to bilateral issues, the discussions also covered looming European and international challenges.

Quotas for UK citizens in the event of a disorderly withdrawal from the EU

13.02.2019 — Press release DEA
The Federal Council aims to safeguard its close bilateral relations with the United Kingdom after Brexit. At its meeting on 13 February, it decided on arrangements for the admission of British citizens in the event of the United Kingdom’s disorderly withdrawal from the European Union. A separate quota of permits will be made available for British citizens who wish to come to Switzerland to work after 30 March 2019. The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) will draft amendments to the Ordinance on Admission, Period of Stay and Employment (ASEO) by the end of March.

Switzerland and the UK sign trade agreement

11.02.2019 — Press release DEA
The continuation of economic and trade relations between Switzerland and the United Kingdom after the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit) is assured. Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and the British Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox, signed a bilateral trade agreement in Bern on 11 February.

Switzerland and United Kingdom sign insurance and road traffic agreements

25.01.2019 — Press release DEA
President Ueli Maurer signed an agreement on direct insurance other than life assurance with the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, on 25 January 2019 in Davos, as well as a road traffic agreement with Jane Owen, Her Majesty's Ambassador to Switzerland. This will ensure the seamless continuation of the current regulations in these areas even after the United Kingdom (UK) has left the EU. Depending on the exit scenario, the agreements will enter into force either at the end of March 2019 or at the end of a transitional period.

European policy: arrangements for consultations on the draft institutional agreement

16.01.2019 — Press release DEA
At its meeting of 16 January 2019, the Federal Council decided on the arrangements for consultations on the draft institutional agreement between Switzerland and the European Union. Interactive consultations will be held in the form of meetings with the groups concerned, providing an opportunity to explain the draft agreement and answer questions. The Federal Council will review the status of these consultations in the spring.

Brexit: Switzerland and the UK guarantee citizens’ existing rights

20.12.2018 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 19 December, the Federal Council approved an agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) on the rights of citizens following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU (Brexit). The agreement safeguards the rights of Swiss and UK nationals acquired under the Free Movement of Persons Agreement (e.g. residence rights). This measure is part of the Swiss government’s ‘Mind the Gap’ strategy, the purpose of which is to ensure the acquired rights and obligations of citizens after Brexit.

FDF enables recognition of EU trading venues

20.12.2018 — Press release DEA
The Federal Department of Finance (FDF) has noted the European Commission's decision of 20 December 2018 to extend Switzerland's stock market equivalence until the end of June 2019. As a result, the FDF – based on the Federal Council Ordinance of 30 November 2018 on the Recognition of Foreign Trading Venues – has created the prerequisite to allow EU trading venues to obtain the new FINMA recognition for the time being as well.

Federal Council lays the foundation for future economic and trade relations with the United Kingdom

14.12.2018 — Press release DEA
At its meeting on 14 December the Federal Council approved the text of a trade agreement with the UK aiming to maintain existing economic and trade relations with the country after its departure from the European Union. The conclusion of this agreement forms part of the Federal Council’s ‘Mind the Gap’ strategy.

Federal Council initiates consultation on introduction of AEOI with 18 further states

07.12.2018 — Press release DEA
During its meeting on 7 December 2018, the Federal Council initiated the consultation on the introduction of the automatic exchange of financial account information (AEOI) with 18 further states and territories. The implementation of the AEOI is planned for 1 January 2020, and the first exchange of data should take place in 2021. The expansion of Switzerland's AEOI network takes current international developments into account.

Switzerland once again a full member of partnership-funded EU innovation programmes

23.08.2017 — DEA
On 23 August, the Federal Council approved the agreements on Switzerland’s participation in the Eurostars-2 and the Active and Assisted Living research and development programmes. This means that Switzerland is once again a full member of both programmes and is co-financed by the EU. The programmes are particularly interesting for research-intensive SMEs looking to enter new European or global markets through cross-border cooperation. Switzerland’s participation in the AAL programme is one of the many measures that form part of the federal government’s Skilled Workers Initiative.

Emissions trading scheme: acquisition of aviation data in 2018

02.06.2017 — DEA
The integration of greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector into the emissions trading scheme (ETS) is a necessary step in order to link the Swiss and European schemes. At its session on 2 June 2017 the Federal Council approved the Ordinance governing the acquisition and reporting of data from the aviation sector. In line with the intention of the European Union, it is only domestic flights in Switzerland or flights from Switzerland to member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) that are concerned.

Withdrawal of Switzerland’s membership application to the EU - EU's reply

26.10.2016 — Article DEA

EU's reply letter of the 19.10.2016 (PDF, Page 1, 110.9 kB)

Swiss Government's letter of the 27.7.2016 (in French) (PDF, Page 1, 216.6 kB)

President Schneider-Ammann holds official talks with Maltese president and prime minister

10.09.2016 — DEA
President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann concluded his visit to Malta on Saturday by meeting Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. He was received for a state visit on Friday by the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. The Republic of Malta will assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2017.

Withdrawal of Switzerland’s membership application to the EU

27.07.2016 — Article DEA

Swiss Government's letter of the 27.7.2016 (in French) (PDF, Page 1, 216.6 kB)

Federal Council adopts dispatch on automatic exchange of tax information with eight states and territories

06.07.2016 — DEA
Today, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the introduction of the automatic exchange of financial account information with Iceland, Norway, Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man, Japan, Canada and the Republic of Korea, and submitted it to Parliament for approval. The proposal met with widespread approval in the consultation.

Federal Council extends transitional periods for financial market infrastructures

29.06.2016 — DEA
During its meeting today, the Federal Council adjusted the Financial Market Infrastructure Ordinance. The transitional periods for financial market infrastructures were extended by a year in line with developments in the EU.

United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union

24.06.2016 — Article DEA

The electorate of the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union in a referendum. The current regulations regarding Swiss citizens and companies will remain valid for the time being. A list of answers to frequently asked questions is available on the website of the DEA.

• FAQ Brexit
• Press Release FDFA: Brexit: FDFA Helpline offers advice for Swiss citizens

President Schneider-Ammann meets Slovakian president and prime minister

20.06.2016 — DEA
President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann travelled to Slovakia on Monday for a state visit where he was received in Bratislava by President Andrej Kiska. He also met the Slovakian prime minister, Robert Fico, economic affairs minister, Peter Žiga, and education minister, Peter Plavčan. In view of the fact that the visit is taking place shortly before Slovakia assumes the rotating presidency of the EU Council for the first time on 1 July, and a few days before the UK referendum, talks focused on European policy issues. The two presidents also attended the Business and Innovation Forum Slovakia-Switzerland 2016.

Switzerland to support the reform of the civilian security sector in Mali and Ukraine

13.04.2016 — DEA
Today, Switzerland and the European Union (EU) have signed two agreements on Switzerland's participation in EUCAP Sahel Mali, the EU's civilian mission for the reform of the security sector in Mali, and in EUAM Ukraine, the EU advisory mission for civilian security sector reform in Ukraine. These two agreements form the basis for the secondment of Swiss civilian experts to these missions.

Soirée Suisse at the Jeux d'hiver

30.09.2015 — Article Mission EU Brussels

On 30 September 2015 the three Swiss representations in Brussels – the Swiss embassy and the missions to the EU and to NATO – invite their contacts to a sumptuous gourmet Swiss reception.

EU and Swiss regulators sign confidentiality arrangement

22.07.2015 — Article DEA

Arrangements will improve oversight of medicines for better protection of public and animal health.