On 2 March 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Swiss Federal President Guy Parmelin signed a comprehensive package of agreements (“Bilaterals III”) in Brussels. Among other things, it modernises the existing agreements on air and land transport.
Von der Leyen said:
“This landmark package reflects the strategic importance of the partnership between the European Union and Switzerland. By modernising and deepening our relations in key areas—from trade and transport to energy—we strengthen legal certainty and create new opportunities for citizens and businesses.”
At the heart of the package is that Switzerland will in future “dynamically” adopt developments in EU law in the relevant internal market agreements—however, with participation options and a regulated dispute settlement procedure.
Road haulage: no cabotage, 40-tonne limit remains
For the transport industry, the adjustments to the Land Transport Agreement are particularly relevant. In future, Switzerland will dynamically adopt relevant EU developments, but will retain key national specificities. These include:
- No cabotage rights for international transport companies in Switzerland,
- continued non-admission of trucks over 40 tonnes,
- night and Sunday driving ban for trucks,
- retaining the performance-related heavy vehicle charge (LSVA) with high rates.
What is new is that Switzerland is to set up supervisory authorities for state aid in the electricity market and in land transport within six years. This will bring subsidy control more closely into line with EU standards.
For European freight forwarders, this means: institutional stability, but no market opening on cabotage or weight limits.
Rail freight: easier authorisation in cross-border traffic
In the rail sector, it was agreed to extend and, if necessary, expand cooperation with the EU Agency for Railways (ERA). The aim is to simplify the authorisation of rolling stock in cross-border traffic.
This could reduce administrative hurdles, especially for the north–south corridors via the Rhine rail corridor and the Alpine axes. However, direct responsibility of the ERA for the Swiss market is not envisaged.
Aviation: cabotage to be permitted in future
In aviation, airlines from the EU and Switzerland will in future have the right to offer cabotage flights within the territory of the other contracting party. In addition, state aid rules will be more closely harmonised.
DIHK: “explicitly positive” — but further reforms needed
DIHK Head of Foreign Trade Volker Treier rates the package as “explicitly positive”. It strengthens cooperation “in the internal electricity market, in air and land transport, on free movement, conformity assessment and in agricultural trade, thereby removing concrete trade barriers”.
At the same time, Treier stresses that this must not be the final word. The trade agreement from the 1970s must be modernised, trade in services facilitated, and cooperation on economic security deepened.
“Especially at a time of growing geopolitical tensions, Europe needs stable and reliable framework conditions,” Treier said.
Predictable trade relations are a decisive location factor.
Ratification required on both sides
On the EU side, the Council of Ministers has already approved the signing. The next step is approval by the European Parliament.
In Switzerland, the agreements will now be submitted to parliament. A referendum is then planned. The timing and modalities will be determined by the national parliament. Only after these procedures are completed will the modernised transport agreements formally enter into force.
