The UK has signed a new trade deal with Switzerland that will allow British travelers to move through airports faster using electronic gates for the first time.

Described by Trade Secretary Peter Kyle as “the most important services trade deal the UK has ever negotiated”, the deal will also scrap mobile roaming charges for tourists and professionals visiting both countries.

The government says the deal is estimated to increase UK exports to Switzerland by £5.2bn annually “in the long term”.

A service mobility agreement, which allowed companies to provide services for up to 90 days without a work permit, was due to expire in 2029, but the new agreement puts it on a permanent basis.

The government says UK passport holders will be able to use e-gates at Zurich airport from the end of this year, with Geneva and Basel airports to announce a timetable for their adoption shortly.

The plan is separate from Switzerland’s implementation of the new EU border control system – the Entry/Exit System (EES), which will allow UK citizens to use EU eGates.

UK employees will also be allowed to move to work in Switzerland for up to five years without strict economic needs tests.

Ministers say lawyers, accountants and architects are among the professionals who will benefit.

Government figures show that around 800,000 Britons visit Switzerland each year.

Switzerland is the UK’s sixth largest services export market, with more than £30 billion in services trade between the two countries by 2025. Its citizens can now use eGates at UK airports.

The deal comes after trade deals were struck with the United States, India, the Gulf Cooperation Council, South Korea and the EU.

It also comes as Sir Keir Starmer enters his final weeks as Prime Minister before being replaced by Andy Burnham.

“Whether you’re growing a business or traveling for work, this deal aims to make life easier and create more opportunities for people across the UK,” Sir Keir said.

“It means British businesses will find it easier to sell their expertise in one of our most important markets in Europe, supporting jobs and investment here at home.”

Meanwhile, the transport secretary has spoken to the European commissioner for sustainable transport and tourism about the new EEA border system in Europe.

Heidi Alexander and Apostolos Tzitzikostas agreed to “work together with the aim of making EES checks as seamless as possible ahead of the busy summer period”, the UK government said.