Brexit Day is Here…Now What?

The official withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union takes place today, posing questions about the future of the transition.

Today, the U.K. officially withdraws from the EU at 11:00 pm (GMT). At 11:01 pm, little will change as the transition period begins. The real change will occur after the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020.

Brexit Transition Period

During the transition period, the U.K. will still be subject to EU regulations, the single market, and the customs union. People will still move freely between the U.K. and the EU. U.K. citizens living within the boundaries of the EU and EU citizens living in the U.K. will continue to have the same rights during the transition.

What’s Different

The notable change is that the U.K. will no longer have representation in EU decision-making bodies, although the U.K. must continue to pay its share of the EU budget. In the coming weeks, U.K. and EU negotiators will meet to discuss the trade relationship between the two territories. U.K. officials will also continue to work on immigration and other policies that will go into effect 1 January 2021.