The EU today, 13th of November  2018, published  contingency plans in case the UK leaves the EU on March 29th 2019 with no deal agreed.

Visa’s for UK Citizens in  rEU

When EU law no longer applies in the U.K, on 30th March 2019 in case of a no deal or at the end of the transition period in case of an orderly withdrawal, UK nationals would be exempt from any visa requirement for short stays in the EU.

This is entirely conditional on the UK also granting reciprocal and non-discriminatory visa-free travel to EU citizens travelling to the UK. This is in line with the Commission’s commitment to put citizens first in the negotiations with the UK.

Travel

In case of a no deal scenario, EU law will stop applying to the UK at midnight on 29th of March 2019 – certain entry and exit checks at the EU’s external border will be necessary.

Goods entering the EU from the UK – in particular, of animal origin – may also be subject to customs controls and other related checks, controls and restrictions. Some licences and certificates, for example, drivers’ licences or pet passports, may also no longer be valid.

Deal or No Deal

If the Withdrawal Agreement is ratified before 30th of  March 2019, EU law will cease to apply to and in the UK on 1st of January 2021, i.e. after a transition period of 21 months.

If the Withdrawal Agreement is not ratified before 30 March 2019, there will be no transition period and EU law will cease to apply to and in the UK as of 30th of March 2019. This is referred to as the “no deal” or “cliff-edge” scenario.

Extensive information from the EU can be found here: Preparedness Notices

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