Brexit update: publication in the Official Journal of the notice informing the UK’s departure from the EU

31 JANUARY 2020

The last step of the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement of the UK from the EU was completed on 30 January 2020 when the Council of the EU (i.e. ministers from all Member States) ratified the Agreement. On 29 January the European Parliament ratified the Agreement. The UK completed the ratification earlier this week.

Therefore, the UK will leave the EU on 31 January midnight (23h UK time). Please see here the notice in the EU’s official journal informing the entry into force of the Agreement as from 1st February 2020.

Next steps:

  • A transition (i.e. status quo) will start from 1st February until at least 31st December 2020. The transition can be extended for 2 years at request of the UK.
  • Negotiations for the future relation, including the trade relations, should officially start in March and should last for about 8 months. The conclusion, ratification and entry into force of future agreement should be done before 1 January 2021.
  • Possibility of a “cliff edge” as of 1 January 2021, if negotiations for the future relation fail and the transition is not extended.

Please find below:

Contact: Daniel Pérez Vega, dperezvega@frucom.eu