Communication on preparing for the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 30 March 2019

Summary:

On 30 March 2019, the United Kingdom would leave the European Union and become a third country. Irrespective of the scenario envisaged, this would cause significant disruption for European citizens, businesses and administrations.

The European Council had repeatedly underlined the need for preparedness action and on 29 June 2018 made a renewed call on Member States, Union institutions and all stakeholders to step up their work on preparedness at all levels and for all outcomes.

This Communication described the ongoing preparedness work, outlined the preparedness actions taken so far and pointed to the various challenges ahead.

Further information:

The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union had repercussions for citizens, businesses and administrations in both the United Kingdom and the European Union. These repercussions ranged from new controls at the EU’s (new) outer border, to the validity of UK-issued licences, certificates and authorisations all the way to new conditions for data transfers.

The European Union was working hard to reach an agreement on an orderly withdrawal, and looked forward to discussing a framework for the future relationship with the United Kingdom. However, there was no certainty that an agreement will be reached. And even if an agreement was reached, the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union would no longer be one of a Member State and thus, would be in a fundamentally different situation.

Therefore, everybody concerned needed to be prepared for the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 30 March 2019. This Communication was to be seen in the light of the call of the EU27 Leaders to intensify preparedness at all levels and encouraged all stakeholders that may be affected by the United Kingdom’s withdrawal to take the necessary preparedness actions.

In parallel, the UK Government started publishing a series of Technical Notices in August 2018 Contingency Plans for a No deal Brexit. How to prepare if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.

• Primary Source

European Commission: Press Release, IP/18/4545 (19.07.18): Brexit: European Commission publishes Communication on preparing for the UK's withdrawal from the EU http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-4545_en.htm

Open Europe, 30.08.18: The view from Brussels: How are the EU27 preparing for a ‘No Deal’ Brexit? https://openeurope.org.uk/today/blog/the-view-from-brussels-how-are-the-eu27-preparing-for-a-no-deal-brexit/

European Commission: Publications: Preparing for the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 30 March 2019, July 2018- https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/preparing-withdrawal-united-kingdom-european-union-30-march-2019_en

ESO: European Council, 28-29 June 2018 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-council-28-29-june-2018/

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