The United Kingdom (UK) wants to leave the European Union (EU) – a process known as ‘Brexit’. The British government has asked the EU to delay Brexit until 31 January 2020, and the EU has approved this request. The new date for the UK’s departure is 31 January 2020 (midnight, Dutch time). However, the UK may leave earlier if the UK and EU parliaments approve the withdrawal agreement before then.
On 17 October the UK and the EU reached an agreement on the conditions for the Brexit process. This agreement must be approved by the British parliament and the European parliament before it can enter into force.
On 22 October the UK parliament agreed to consider the Brexit legislation. But it decided more time was needed than the UK prime minister had proposed. This meant that withdrawal with an agreement is no longer feasible on the intended Brexit date of 31 October. The Brexit agreement will not take effect before the Brexit legislation has been passed by the UK parliament and the EU parlement.
If no agreement is concluded (‘no deal’ scenario)
There is still a possibility of a ‘no deal’ scenario, if the agreement is not approved by all parties before the deadline (31 January 2020) passes. In that case, both parties may encounter problems, like long queues at ports and aviation delays. With this in mind, the Dutch government is working hard to limit the inconvenience caused by a ‘no deal’ scenario. In the meantime, the business community, public institutions and members of the public need to prepare for every eventuality, including the possibility of a ‘no deal’ scenario.
Transition period (if the agreement is approved)
If the UK parliament and the European parliament vote in favour of the Brexit agreement, a transition period will follow, which will last until 31 December 2020. During this period, all EU rules and regulations will continue to apply to the UK. Virtually nothing will change for businesses or for the public. This transition period may be extended once by two years, meaning it could remain in place until 31 December 2022.
In addition to the UK parliament, the European Parliament also needs to approve the agreement. Only then can the EU and the UK implement the terms of the agreement.
Transitional period for Britons living in the Netherlands
On 7 January 2019 the Dutch government announced a 15-month transition period for British nationals in the Netherlands in the event that the UK leaves the EU without an agreement (no deal) in place. During this transition period, nothing will change for British nationals living in the Netherlands. They will be given enough time to arrange a residence permit.
New relationship
Only after Brexit can the EU and the UK start discussing the details of their new relationship. There will be more clarity on the new relationship between the EU and the UK only once this phase of the negotiations has been completed.
Brexit timelineKey dates in the Brexit negotiations between the UK and the EU:
The new relationship between the EU and the UK begins, provided an agreement has been reached that has been approved by the EU member states, the European Parliament and the UK parliament.
The transition period ends, provided a withdrawal agreement has been reached that has been approved by the EU member states, the European Parliament and the UK parliament.
EU heads of state and government approve postponing the Brexit date to 31 January 2020, or earlier if the UK and European parliaments approve the withdrawal agreement before then.
The EU The EU agrees to push back the Brexit date to 31 January 2020. However, the heads of state and government of the remaining 27 EU member states must also give their approval.
On 22 October the UK parliament agreed to consider the Brexit legislation. But it decided more time was needed than the UK prime minister had proposed. This means that withdrawal with an agreement is no longer feasible on the intended Brexit date of 31 October. The Brexit agreement will not take effect before the Brexit legislation has been passed by the UK parliament.
The UK parliament decides that an additional extension of the Brexit date is necessary because it wishes to first consider the relevant legislation before voting on the withdrawal agreement. The British government then asks the EU to push back the Brexit date to 31 January 2020.
The European Union and the United Kingdom have approved the withdrawal agreement. The UK parliament and the European Parliament still have to approve the withdrawal agreement.
The 27 remaining EU-member states again allow the UK to postpone its departure, now until 31 October 2019 at the latest. Provided the UK takes part in the elections for the European Parliament, starting from 23 May 2019.
The other 27 EU member states indicate their willingness to allow the UK to postpone its departure (the UK had been due to leave the EU on 29 March 2019). If the UK parliament approves the withdrawal agreement on 29 March at the latest, Brexit will be delayed until 22 May to allow time to pass the necessary legislation. If the UK parliament has not approved the agreement by then, Brexit will be delayed until 12 April.
British Prime Minister Theresa May asks the EU to postpone Brexit until 30 June 2019. But this does not rule out the possibility that the UK will leave without a deal on 29 March. First, the other 27 EU member states must unanimously approve Mrs May's request.
The EU and the UK reach a provisional agreement. It includes a transition period until 31 December 2020 in which all EU rules continue to apply. It also covers the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The EU27 (EU member states except for the UK) establish that sufficient progress has been made in phase 1. This means that phase 2 of the negotiations can begin. In phase 2, the EU and the UK continue to negotiate the withdrawal agreement. But they also start discussing a transition period and exploring their future relationship.
