Transport, energy and sustainability
Overland transport
Switzerland has invested heavily in an efficient transport infrastructure and is now a key transport hub on the European north-south axis. The Overland Transport Agreement (OTA) regulates cross-border passenger and freight transport by road and rail, and secures Switzerland's participation in the EU transport market as well as key Swiss specificities such as the policy of transferring freight from road to rail, the ban on Sunday and night-time driving for HGVs, and the heavy goods vehicle charge (HGVC). The OTA makes it possible to coordinate transport policy with the EU and establishes common technical norms, as well as authorisation regulations and provisions on time spent working, driving and resting.
The outcome of the 2024/2025 negotiations upholds the Swiss specificities and opens up international rail passenger transport to independent providers. The allocation of train paths remains in Swiss hands, and cooperation measures remain possible, without restrictions. Switzerland is also allowed to continue awarding cross-border regional train services directly to operators, without tenders. In addition, cooperation with the EU Agency for Railways will be strengthened. The above will safeguard, for the long term, the constitutionally enshrined policy of transferring freight from road to rail as well as the quality of Swiss public transport and how it functions.
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Air transport
The air transport agreement between Switzerland and the EU furnishes Swiss airlines with optimal conditions and governs the two parties' mutual air transport market access. The agreement ensures a high level of safety, standardised rules in the area of aviation safety, and Switzerland's participation in the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Single European Sky.
Updating the existing agreement allows for the exchange of cabotage rights and Switzerland's participation in the SESAR 3 research programme aimed at modernising European air traffic control. In addition, the institutional rules and regulations on state aid have been updated. The agreement guarantees reciprocal market access under the same conditions, a coherent level of safety and the opportunity to bring Swiss concerns regarding aviation into EU legal processes at an early stage. EU passenger rights also apply from Swiss airports, and access to the EU market remains guaranteed for the Swiss aviation industry.
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Energy
Switzerland is closely integrated into the energy supply systems of its neighbours. The EU has created a single energy market that is being propelled forward towards completion. The aim of this market is to guarantee an affordable, clean and reliable energy supply that is more secure, and to strengthen Europe's competitiveness.
In 2024, Switzerland and the EU held negotiations on an electricity agreement intended to better secure supply and further stabilise the power grids, and to facilitate cross-border electricity trade.
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Climate and the environment
As regards the environment, Switzerland maintains close relations with the EU. It regularly takes part in the informal meetings of EU environment ministers and has been a member of the European Environment Agency (EEA) since 2006. Switzerland has largely harmonised its environmental legislation with that of the EU in several areas.