As it is increasingly likely that the United Kingdom will leave the European Union on 12 April without an agreement, on 25 March 2019 the European Commission has completed preparations to address this possibility.
In the event of exit without agreement, the United Kingdom will become a third country without a transitional regime.
In this scenario, the UK’s relations with the EU will be governed by general international public law, which includes the rules of the World Trade Organization. The EU will be required to immediately apply its own legislation and tariffs at the borders with the United Kingdom, including controls and checks on compliance with customs, sanitary and phytosanitary standards and verification of compliance with EU standards. Furthermore, UK entities will no longer be eligible for EU grants and will be able to participate in EU procurement procedures in accordance with current arrangements.
The emergency measures for exit without agreement include:
- EU budget (being finalized): in the event of exit without agreement, the EU will be in a position to honor its commitments and to continue making payments in 2019 to UK beneficiaries for previously signed decisions and contracts as of March 30, 2019, provided that the United Kingdom honors its commitments under the 2019 financial statements and accepts the necessary controls and audits
- climate policy: guarantee that any exit without agreement does not affect the proper functioning and environmental integrity of the emission quota exchange system
- Erasmus + program: students and trainees abroad participating in the Erasmus+ program at the time of UK withdrawal can complete their studies and continue to receive the related funding or scholarships