On 31 January 2020 the United Kingdom left the European Union on the basis of the Withdrawal Agreement – which guaranteed the EU citizens’ rights in the UK and UK citizens’ rights in the EU, regulated the financial settlement between the UK and the EU budget, provided the mechanism which safeguards the lack of visible border between Ireland and Northern Ireland which could threaten the peace process on the island,  and introduced the transition period until 31 December 2020.

During the transition period relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom were maintained as if UK were a member of the EU.

The aim of the transition period was to provide certainty for business and citizens and to give time to negotiate future economic and political relations after 2020.

On 25 February 2020 the Council adopted the EU negotiation directives (so called negotiation mandate), which allowed the EU to start the talks with the UK on the agreement on the future relations. The EU was represented in the negotiations by the European Commission.

On 24 December 2020, the EU and the UK reached an agreement on the terms of their relationship following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. It consists of:

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement

The EU-UK Security of Information Agreement

The EU-UK Civil Nuclear Agreement

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement was signed on 30 December 2020, was applied provisionally as of 1 January 2021 and entered into force on 1 May 2021.
 

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement sets out preferential arrangements in areas such as trade in goods and in services, digital trade, intellectual property, public procurement, aviation and road transport, energy, fisheries, social security coordination, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, thematic cooperation and participation in Union programmes. It is underpinned by provisions ensuring a level playing field and respect for fundamental rights.

Useful information regarding the Withdrawal Agreement may be found below:

Withdrawal Agreement

Brexit timeline

Q&A regarding Withdrawal Agreement

EU negotiation directives

Q&A regarding negotiations on the future relations agreement

Useful information regarding the new EU-UK relationship may be found below:

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement

The EU-UK Security of Information Agreement

The EU-UK Agreement for cooperation on the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear energy