“Switzerland plus” as a Fast-Track Path for the United Kingdom to Re-Enter the EU

German MEP Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, outlined a “Switzerland plus” model that could let the United Kingdom regain access to the EU single market and potentially re-join the bloc within months of a political decision. Speaking in London, Lange said the EU’s “doors are open” and that a “Switzerland plus” arrangement would involve “some kind of political cooperation” together with agreements on trade, security, raw materials and digital policy.

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The United Kingdom left the EU after the 2016 referendum, a decision that Prime Minister Andy Burnham has described as having “done more harm than good.” Since taking office, Burnham has pledged a “Brexit reset,” emphasizing growth, immigration control and security, and has signalled that re-joining the EU is among the options he will consider. The Labour Party’s manifesto discussions and a forthcoming UK-EU summit in Brussels next month are shaping the debate.

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Switzerland, which is not an EU member, maintains “frictionless access” to the single market through more than 100 bilateral agreements. In return, it contributes €375 million (£326 million) annually to the EU’s economic and cohesion funds and accepts free movement of people. These terms form the core of the model Lange proposes the UK could emulate.

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• Bernd Lange: Emphasised that a “Switzerland plus” deal could be negotiated quickly and that the UK would remain “passive” in EU decision-making, yet could still engage politically.

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• Andy Burnham: In a parliamentary statement, called the status quo “not good enough” and announced that the upcoming Brussels summit would be used to push for a “Brexit reset” focused on growth, immigration and security. He urged that the UK not be excluded from the EU’s “Made in Europe” legislation, which aims to protect European industry from cheap Chinese imports.

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• Lord Neil Kinnock (former Labour leader): Described Burnham’s commitment to re-joining the EU as “authentic” and argued that, while the UK would not be starting from scratch, a new relationship would need to be built on existing alignment with European standards.

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Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has rejected a Swiss-style relationship, arguing that the required free movement of people and regulatory alignment are incompatible with his vision for the UK.

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A “Switzerland plus” framework could give the UK immediate access to key EU markets, research programmes (e.g., Erasmus, Digital Europe) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, while avoiding the full obligations of membership. Inclusion in the “Made in Europe” package would allow British manufacturers to compete for public procurement contracts, potentially safeguarding jobs in sectors such as automotive manufacturing.

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Sources agree on the basic terms of the Swiss model but differ on the political feasibility of a rapid UK-EU agreement. No source provides a definitive timeline for legislative approval of the “Made in Europe” package, which is expected to receive political endorsement by the end of the year or early 2027.

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• “He's always been a committed pro-European. In the by-election, he rightly didn't make a noise about it,” — Lord Neil Kinnock, former Labour leader

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