The Swiss-UK Berne Financial Services Agreement: A New Era for Swiss Independent Financial Advisors and Wealth Planners

On March 21, 2025, the Swiss Parliament approved the landmark Berne Financial Services Agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom. This agreement is a significant step forward in reinforcing the close relationship between these two major international financial hubs.

For Alpen Partners, an independent Swiss-based financial advisor and global wealth planner, the agreement presents new opportunities and regulatory clarity when serving UK clients both in Switzerland and in the UK. Expected to come into force at the beginning of 2026, the treaty establishes a framework that enhances market access, fosters cooperation, and contributes towards stability and client protection.

Key provisions of the agreement

This is the first time two nations have established an international treaty recognising the equivalence of their financial regulatory frameworks across selected areas. The agreement facilitates cross-border financial services by recognising regulatory alignment in banking, investment services, insurance, asset management, and financial market infrastructures, specifically for sophisticated clients.

For Alpen Partners, the most crucial aspect is the explicit permission to engage in cross-border wealth management activities with UK clients who meet the “sophisticated client” threshold, defined as those with assets exceeding GBP 2 million. This means that we will be able to offer tailored advisory and portfolio management services to qualifying UK clients without unnecessary regulatory barriers.

“This treaty marks a turning point for Swiss wealth managers, ensuring they can offer world-class financial services to UK clients without regulatory friction.“

Pierre Gabris, Founder & Managing Partner of Alpen Partners

Expanded market access

We will now have direct access to high-net-worth UK clients, enabling us to compete on equal footing with UK-based advisors. This eliminates previous uncertainties surrounding cross-border advisory and enables us to offer our expertise in tax-efficient structuring, estate planning, and international investments to complement solutions already in place.

Strengthened regulatory and supervisory cooperation

The agreement introduces enhanced collaboration between Swiss and UK financial regulators, which will streamline compliance processes and contribute to transparency. We can benefit from clearer guidelines on client onboarding, anti-money laundering (AML) procedures, and reporting requirements, reducing the risk of regulatory conflicts between the two jurisdictions.

Enhanced client protection and legal certainty

The treaty prioritises stability and integrity in financial services, giving clients greater confidence in Swiss providers. The established framework will help prevent disputes related to jurisdictional differences, providing a more secure environment for both advisors and their UK clients.

Alpen Partners at your service

At Alpen Partners, we are dedicated to staying at the forefront of regulatory changes and market developments to deliver the highest level of service to our clients. This agreement not only solidifies our ability to serve sophisticated UK clients efficiently but also reinforces Switzerland’s standing as a premier international financial hub. With our extensive expertise in cross-border wealth management, we are well-equipped to navigate this new era of financial cooperation—providing tailored solutions that can contribute to our clients’ long-term aspirations and financial goals.

James Phillips, Partner at Alpen Partners and strongly engaged with UK clients for 38 years, welcomes the agreement: “This development strengthens the bridge between Swiss and UK financial services, offering UK clients enhanced direct access to Swiss expertise in wealth management.”

James specializes in balancing UK wealth planning needs with a competitive investment strategy that aims to meet clients’ and their families’ long-term goals and needs.

James Phillips, Partner at Alpen Partners

Estate planning, citizenship and residence planning

Beyond wealth management, as part of our holistic approach which also includes access to estate planning options including trusts, corporate structures, and insurance-based solutions (PPLI), we provide expert guidance and hands-on assistance on citizenship and residence planning options to Switzerland via the lump-sum taxation process, the retirement visa, or the entrepreneur visa, as well as other Golden Visa programs in preferred destinations across Europe and worldwide. We are also adopting the US Gold Card into our program when it is officially launched in the United States.

Whether seeking residency for investment migration, lifestyle benefits, tax efficiency, or business expansion, we provide comprehensive support throughout the entire process—from evaluating the best jurisdictions to handling applications and compliance and even relocation services. Our deep expertise in Swiss and global residency programs enables us to craft individualized strategies, helping our clients to secure the right opportunities in a stable and advantageous environment.

All posts and publications are for your information only and are not intended as an offer, promotion, or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instrument or perform any other financial transactions. All information and opinions expressed in posts and publications reflect our current views as of the date of the publication and may be liable to change without notice.