Bilateral III -- Overview
Summary: On 2 March 2026, Switzerland and the EU signed the most comprehensive treaty package since the beginning of the bilateral path in Bern. The "Bilateral Agreements III" comprise 18 agreements -- six updated single market agreements, new sectoral arrangements, and for the first time institutional mechanisms such as dynamic adoption of law and a parity-based arbitration tribunal.
¶ Political decisions: as of 6 September 2026
New political decisions checked on 6 September 2026; earlier background retains its stated reference date.
22.05.2026 — In its co-report, the Council of States foreign affairs committee rejected a mandatory referendum on the Switzerland–EU package by 8 votes to 5. This committee position does not settle the final parliamentary decision. Original source.
14.06.2026 — The sustainability initiative 'No to a Switzerland of 10 million!' was rejected in the popular vote. The 14 June ballot is complete; it was not a vote on approving the Bilateral Agreements III package. Original source.
14.08.2026 — The Council of States Foreign Affairs Committee supported the three cohesion credits and the Federal Council’s wage-protection measures. It seeks stronger parliamentary information and consultation rights in dynamic legal alignment and dispute settlement. These are committee positions in ongoing proceedings. Original source.
04.09.2026 — The committee approved the stabilisation component by 9–3 with one abstention. It is ready for the Council of States’ autumn session; the electricity agreement is provisionally expected in winter. The committee supports the proposed immigration levy. This is not final parliamentary approval. Original source.
¶ The Package at a Glance
The Bilateral Agreements III are the result of a multi-year negotiation process that was relaunched after the failure of the Institutional Framework Agreement (InstA) in May 2021. Following exploratory talks (2022-2023) and formal negotiations (2024), the package was substantively concluded in December 2024 and signed on 2 March 2026 by Bundesratlor Karin Keller-Sutter and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen [1][2].
Unlike the failed InstA, the Bilateral Agreements III pursue a vertical approach: the institutional mechanisms (adoption of law, dispute resolution, oversight) are not regulated in a separate framework agreement but are integrated directly into each sectoral agreement [1].
¶ Structure of the Package
The treaty package is divided into four areas:
¶ 1. Updated Single Market Agreements
Six existing agreements from the Bilateral Agreements I are updated and equipped with the new institutional elements [1][3]:
- Free Movement of Persons (FMPA)
- Overland Transport
- Air Transport
- Agriculture
- Mutual Recognition of Conformity Assessments (MRA/TBT)
- Public Procurement
-> More on this: Updated Single Market Agreements
¶ 2. New Sectoral Agreements
New arrangements extend bilateral cooperation to previously uncovered areas [1][3]:
- Electricity: Integration into the European internal electricity market
- Food safety: Harmonised controls and market access
- Health: Cooperation on pandemics and health crises
-> More on this: New Agreements
¶ 3. Institutional Elements
For the first time, the bilateral agreements receive a coherent institutional foundation [5]:
- Dynamic adoption of law: Adoption of EU legal developments with opt-out possibility
- Dispute resolution: Parity-based arbitration tribunal (3+3 judges)
- Oversight: Independent supervisory authority
-> More on this: Dynamic Adoption of Law | Dispute Resolution
¶ 4. Financial and Flanking Elements
- Cohesion contribution: Regular financial contribution from Switzerland to the EU
- Wage protection: 14 domestic measures to protect Swiss wages
- Programme participation: Access to Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, Digital Europe
-> More on this: Cohesion Contribution | Wage Protection
¶ The Package Approach
The committee approved the stabilisation component by 9–3 with one abstention. It is ready for the Council of States’ autumn session; the electricity agreement is provisionally expected in winter. The committee supports the proposed immigration levy. This is not final parliamentary approval. Original source.
-> More on this: The Package Approach
¶ Context and Background
The Bilateral Agreements III are the response to the institutional gap and the erosion of the existing agreements that has been progressing since the InstA termination in May 2021. A comparison of the three treaty packages shows the structural innovations.
¶ Ratification
The package still needs to pass through the parliamentary process. As it is subject to the optional referendum, a popular vote is likely -- it is expected for 2027 or 2028 [13][14].
-> More on this: Ratification Process
¶ Sources
[1] FDFA (2026). Switzerland-EU Package (Bilateral III). Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. [Open Access]
[2] FDFA (2026). Switzerland-EU package signed. Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. [Open Access]
[3] GTAI (2026). Agreements of the Switzerland-EU package signed. Germany Trade & Invest. [Open Access]
[5] FDFA (2026). Fact sheet: Institutional elements. Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. [Open Access]
[13] FDFA (2025). Consultation results. Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. [Open Access]
[14] Blick (2026). EU treaties probably won't go to vote until 2028. Blick. [Open Access] Note: Media source.
Political update: 6 September 2026; background reference: March 2026