The Commission and Switzerland have set in motion the agreement on the participation of the Swiss Confederation in Union programmes, marking a significant step in strengthening EU-Swiss cooperation.  

Following the conclusion of negotiations on 20 December 2024, this agreement paves the way for Switzerland's association to Horizon Europe, Euratom Research and Training, ITER/F4E (Fusion for Energy), Digital Europe, Erasmus+, and EU4Health. This will open new opportunities for Swiss researchers and entities to receive funding and cooperate with European partners. It will also enable European research and innovation communities to benefit from a wider pool of talents and scientific excellence. 

Since 1 January 2025, transitional arrangements allow Swiss entities to apply for calls under Horizon Europe, Euratom Research and Training, and Digital Europent. Once fully associated, Swiss participants will be able to receive direct EU funding and lead consortia on the same footing as entities from EU Member States. Switzerland's participation in Fusion for Energy (F4E)/ITER is foreseen to start from 2026, and participation in Erasmus+ planned from 2027. Switzerland's Association to EU4Health will become applicable after the Health Agreement is signed. 

This agreement is part of a broader package that aims to modernise, deepen and expand the relationship between the EU and Switzerland. After tomorrow's initialling, the agreement is expected to be signed between the parties once their internal procedures are completed. The next steps include signing of other EU- Switzerland agreements and ratifying all the agreements in the package by both parties, in accordance with their respective procedures. The successful ratification will enable a long-term cooperation in research and all other areas covered by the package, while modernising the foundations of the EU-Switzerland relationship. 

The EU remains fully committed to the successful completion of this process, and to further strengthening its partnership with Switzerland.

(For more information: Olof Gill — Tel. +32 229 65966; Thomas Regnier — Tel.  +32 229 91099; Saul Louis Goulding — Tel. +32 229 64735; Nika Blazevic — Tel. +32 229 92717)