'Switzerland plus' deal option for UK as it seeks closer ties with EU, senior MEP says

A “Switzerland plus” deal would be a closer partnership between the UK and EU, rather than full British membership of the bloc. The idea is based on Switzerland’s network of bilateral agreements, which gives it access to parts of the EU single market. “Plus” could mean adding political cooperation and agreements in several strategic areas.

The key difference is that the UK currently has a post-Brexit relationship with the EU, while Switzerland has partial single-market integration. Under the proposed model, Britain could negotiate agreements covering trade, security, raw materials, and digital policy. Switzerland also has free movement of people and pays into an EU cohesion fund.

Bernd Lange said the EU’s doors were open and that such a deal might be negotiated within months of a decision to deepen relations. The UK could also eventually seek to rejoin the EU, but Lange said that choice would be in Britain’s hands.

The “Switzerland plus” idea is broad because it is not limited to market access. Bernd Lange suggested that the UK and EU could combine economic agreements with “some kind of political cooperation.” That matters because closer relations could address shared concerns in trade, security, technology, and strategic supplies.

The areas specifically mentioned include trade, security, raw materials, and digital policy. Switzerland’s existing arrangements also cover transport and education, while Lange’s comments referred to a broader package of cooperation. The precise contents would depend on negotiations between Britain and the EU.

The proposal is therefore best understood as a menu rather than a finished treaty. Lange said a deal could be negotiated within months after a decision to strengthen relations, according to The Guardian’s report. The UK-EU summit set for 20 November could provide a further setting for discussions, although the article does not state that this proposal will be agreed there.

A Switzerland-style arrangement would give Britain partial access to the EU single market. That could make trade and other cross-border activity smoother in the areas covered by agreements. However, it would not make the UK an EU member or automatically provide access to every part of the single market.

Switzerland’s model shows the mechanism. Its bilateral agreements allow access to parts of the market and support smooth relations in areas including trade, security, transport, and education. In return for partial integration, Switzerland pays a financial contribution to the EU’s economic and social cohesion fund. Its arrangement also includes free movement of people.

For Britain, the exact benefits and responsibilities would have to be negotiated. Bernd Lange presented “Switzerland plus” as an option if the UK chooses to deepen relations with Brussels. The article does not specify which UK sectors would receive access, how much Britain would contribute, or whether every Swiss-style obligation would apply.

The immediate reason for renewed discussion is political dissatisfaction with the UK’s current relationship with Brussels. Prime Minister Andy Burnham told MPs that “sticking with the current status quo is not good enough for Britain.” He called for a conversation about future relations to support growth, control immigration, and uphold British values and security.

Burnham has also said Brexit has “done more harm than good.” He has repeatedly signalled that the UK should move closer to the EU, while presenting re-entry as one possible option among several. His position has reopened arguments about whether Brexit should be adjusted rather than treated as settled.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch objects to that direction. She accused Burnham of “unpicking” the Brexit withdrawal agreement and warned that he would not obtain a better deal. Against this disagreement, Bernd Lange has offered “Switzerland plus” as one possible middle path. A UK-EU summit is set for 20 November.

Switzerland’s relationship with the EU is based on multiple bilateral agreements rather than EU membership. These agreements give the country access to parts of the single market and are intended to ensure what Switzerland calls “smooth relations.” The model is therefore closer than a normal external relationship but less extensive than membership.

The agreements cover areas including trade, security, transport, and education. Switzerland also pays a financial contribution to the EU’s economic and social cohesion fund. That payment is made in return for partial integration into the single market. The arrangement includes free movement of people, creating a significant obligation alongside market access.

Bernd Lange pointed to this system as a possible foundation for “Switzerland plus” for the UK. The proposed British version could add political cooperation and areas such as raw materials and digital policy. The article does not say that Britain would copy every Swiss agreement, so the final terms would depend on negotiations.

The UK’s choices range from making no major change to seeking much closer European integration. Keeping the current arrangement would preserve the existing post-Brexit relationship. Burnham, however, argues that the status quo is not good enough and wants a conversation about future relations with Brussels.

A middle option is “Switzerland plus.” It could provide partial single-market access and cooperation on trade, security, raw materials, digital policy, and other areas. The most far-reaching option mentioned is returning to the EU. Lange said the “last step to come back” was not forbidden, while stressing that the decision belonged to Britain.

The political disagreement is unresolved. Burnham has said Brexit did more harm than good and wants closer ties. Kemi Badenoch says he is unpicking the withdrawal agreement and will not get a better deal. The article gives no final decision, but a UK-EU summit is scheduled for 20 November.

The EU single market is a shared economic area in which common rules help goods and services move across participating countries. These rules create a more consistent framework for businesses and consumers. Depending on the arrangement, people may also be able to move between countries for work, residence, or other purposes.

The article illustrates this through Switzerland. Switzerland is outside the EU, but bilateral agreements give it access to parts of the single market. Its relationship supports smooth relations in trade, security, transport, and education. It also includes free movement of people and a financial contribution to the EU’s economic and social cohesion fund.

That example explains why access is not simply a free benefit. A country seeking closer integration may need to accept shared rules, negotiate specific agreements, and meet financial or movement-related conditions. For the UK, “Switzerland plus” would mean negotiating the areas and obligations separately. The article does not define every single-market rule.