UK Could Rejoin EU Within Months With ‘Switzerland Plus’ Deal

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 17, 2026

Bernard Lange, a senior German MEP involved in Brexit talks, proposed that the UK could rejoin the EU within months by adopting a "Switzerland plus" model, which allows close economic ties without full membership. This suggestion highlights a potential faster route to deepen UK-EU relations amid growing political interest, though it would require complex negotiations and compromises on sovereignty.

A senior German member of the European Parliament has suggested that the United Kingdom could rejoin the European Union within a matter of months by adopting a relationship model similar to that of Switzerland. Bernard Lange, who played a role in the initial Brexit negotiations, outlined the possibility of a swift reintegration through a “Switzerland plus” agreement.

Switzerland maintains a unique arrangement with the EU, participating in the single market through bilateral agreements without full membership. Lange indicated that the UK could pursue a comparable deal, enabling close economic and regulatory alignment with the bloc while remaining outside formal EU structures. This approach could potentially expedite the process compared to full membership negotiations.

The comments come amid ongoing discussions in the UK about forging closer ties with the EU following its departure in 2020. Andy Burnham, a prominent UK political figure, has been actively advocating for stronger connections with the EU, reflecting a broader interest in reconsidering the nature of the UK’s relationship with the bloc.

Lange expressed openness to the UK's return, emphasizing that such a development would be welcomed within the European Parliament. He highlighted that the lessons learned from Brexit negotiations could help streamline a new agreement efficiently.

While some experts argue that the “Switzerland plus” model involves complex negotiations and requires significant compromise, supporters view it as a pragmatic alternative that preserves economic cooperation and regulatory alignment. Critics, however, caution that it does not grant full political representation within EU institutions and might involve sovereignty trade-offs.

The proposal underscores ongoing debates about the future shape of UK-EU relations as political and economic considerations continue to evolve. Any move toward reintegration, whether through a Switzerland-like arrangement or full membership, would require extensive discussions and agreement on numerous policy areas on both sides.

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