The EU has repeatedly stressed
that it favours an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the Union. It
concluded a withdrawal agreement with the UK to ensure the two parties
can continue to collaborate on various issues to their mutual benefit,
nevertheless the EU has adopted measures to reduce the impact of a
possible no-deal Brexit.
These measures cannot replicate the advantages of being part of the
EU. They are temporary, unilateral measures. Some will require UK’s
reciprocity in order for them to come in force.
Long-term solutions depend on future discussions between the EU and the UK.
See below for the measures preparing the EU for a no-deal Brexit:
Visas
Brits will be able to
enter the EU without a visa for short periods provided the same applies to people from the EU traveling to the UK.
Aviation
UK airlines would be able to provide services to EU countries provided EU companies are also able to do so to the UK.
Rail services
The validity of rail safety authorisations would be extended to ensure the continuity of
rail services between the UK and the EU, provided the UK does the same.
Road transport
Freight transport and bus and coach operators from the UK would be able to provide
services between Britain and the EU, provided the UK provides equivalent access to EU companies.
Social security
EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU would keep
social security benefits acquired before the withdrawal.
Erasmus+
Students and teachers in or from the UK would be able to complete their ongoing learning abroad as part of the
Erasmus+ programme.
Peace process in Northern Ireland
Funding for bilateral
peace programmes in Northern Ireland would continue until at least 2020 to help support the peace and reconciliation process started by the Good Friday agreement.
Fishing
If the UK agrees to full reciprocity of access to
fishing
waters, an easy procedure is in place for companies to obtain
authorisation to fish. Quota swapping would still be allowed until these
measures end on 31 December.
If the UK does not agree, EU firms banned from UK waters could be
eligible for compensation from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
Defence
EU firms will still be able to export certain items used for
civilian and military purposes to the UK.
Driving licences
Driving licences issued by one EU country are automatically
recognised by other member states. When the UK leaves, this will no
longer apply to British licences. EU nationals wishing to drive in the
UK will need to check with UK authorities if their licence is valid,
while Brits will need to check with the national authorities of each EU
country in which they wish to drive. International driving licences are
valid across the UK and EU.
Pets
The EU pet passport, which allows your pet to travel with you to
another EU country, will no longer be valid in the UK. It is likely more
paperwork will be needed when taking your pet to or from the UK.
Medical treatment
Under EU rules people benefit from access to healthcare during a
temporary stay in another member states using the European Health
Insurance Card (EHIC). These rules will no longer apply to the UK. Both
EU nationals travelling to the UK and Brits visiting EU countries should
check whether their insurance covers the costs of medical treatment
abroad. If not, they should consider taking out private travel
insurance.
For additional information about traveling to and from the UK, check out the
website from the EU Commission
All of these measures can only come into effect with European Parliament’s approval.
Any agreement reached by the EU and UK - including the withdrawal
agreement and any agreement on future relations - must be agreed by the
Parliament before it can enter into force.
Next steps
None of these temporary measures can replace actual agreements. Only
once the UK has left the EU, the EU and the UK, as a third country, can
look at the future relations and might wish to conclude deals to ensure
they can continue to work together on issues ranging from trade to
security, migration and defence. The political declaration attached to
the withdrawal agreement, if ratified by the UK, gives the general
framework on how these relations could look like.
Find out more
European Commission implements “no-deal” contingency action plan in specific sectors (19 December 2018)
