Brexit – the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union
In a referendum held on 23 June 2016, a 52 per cent majority of voters in the UK voted to leave the European Union. On 29 March 2017, the UK applied to withdraw from the EU. The United Kingdom is expected to leave the European Union on 31 October 2019.
On this page, we describe the work of the Government and the Government Offices in response to the Brexit process, including preparations for a withdrawal. This includes a description of what a no-deal withdrawal would entail and what regulatory amendments have been implemented to deal with it, and what Brexit means for the business sector and the citizens who are particularly affected.
- Responsible ministers
- Stefan Löfven
- Hans Dahlgren
- Responsible ministries
- Prime Minister's Office
Current state of the Brexit process
The Government is assessing developments continuously and, in its communications with the people of Sweden and all actors in society, will provide all the information that can be provided. This page contains up-to-date information on the current situation.
What happens in the event of a no-deal withdrawal?
The main scenario in the Brexit process remains an orderly withdrawal based on the negotiated Withdrawal Agreement. If this is the case, it will take place on the first day of the month following ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement. However, in view of the ongoing approval process in the United Kingdom parliament, there is a clear risk of a no-deal withdrawal. Efforts to prepare for such an outcome are a necessary part of the work concerning Brexit.
Regulatory amendments to deal with Brexit
An important part of preparing for a no-deal withdrawal of the United Kingdom is implementing necessary regulatory amendments in both EU legislation and Swedish statutes.
What does Brexit mean for the citizens who are particularly affected?
This page contains information on what Brexit will mean for particularly affected citizens, namely Swedish and other European Union citizens living in the United Kingdom and UK citizens living in Sweden or another EU Member State.
What does Brexit mean for the business sector?
The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union will affect companies that trade with the UK or are affected by UK participation in the single market in other ways. The business sector must follow the development of negotiations and prepare for all conceivable outcomes. The main scenario is an orderly withdrawal based on the negotiated Withdrawal Agreement. However, in view of the ongoing approval process, there is still a clear risk of a no-deal withdrawal.
Content about Brexit - the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union
Total 10 hits.
-
Prime Minister Stefan Löfven received EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier
On 4 April, the Prime Minister and the Minister for EU Affairs received the EU’s chief negotiator for Brexit, Michel Barnier.
-
Exemption from provisions on application and tuition fees at higher education institutions for certain British citizens after Brexit
As citizens of a state within the European Union, British citizens are exempt from application and tuition fees for studies at higher education institutions in Sweden. If the United Kingdom leaves the EU on 30 March without a withdrawal agreement, British citizens will become subject to the rules applying to third-country nationals. On 21 March 2019, the Government decided that a temporary exemption from the provisions on application and tuition fees at higher education institutions will apply for certain British citizens so as to mitigate the consequences of withdrawal.
-
Brexit and the single market at EU-summit
At the EU summit on 21–22 March, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and his EU colleagues agreed to offer the United Kingdom an extension until 22 May on condition that the British Parliament approves the withdrawal agreement next week. The heads of state and government also addressed the EU’s long-term climate strategy and the EU’s relationship with China.
-
British citizens to be exempt from tuition fees after Brexit
A temporary exemption from application and tuition fees at institutions of higher education will be introduced for certain British citizens to mitigate the consequences of the United Kingdom leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.
-
Brexit and the single market at the EU Summit
When Prime Minister Stefan Löfven meets his colleagues in Brussels on 21–22 March, Brexit will dominate the meeting’s first day. The EU heads of state and government will also address the EU’s long-term climate strategy and discuss jobs, growth and competitiveness.
-
Minister for EU Affairs to receive Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee
On Thursday 14 March, Minister for EU Affairs Hans Dahlgren will receive Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee. Mr Dahlgren and Ms McEntee will discuss current issues such as Brexit, the EU budget, migration and the rule of law.
-
Social protection following Brexit
The Government wishes to mitigate the consequences for Swedish citizens in the United Kingdom in the event that the country leaves the EU without reaching any agreement whatsoever on how this withdrawal is to take place. Among other things, the government bill submitted to the Riksdag proposes that, in the event of a hard Brexit, it should still be possible to pay Swedish social security benefits to individuals in the United Kingdom over a transitional period. It is also proposed that it should still be possible to receive compensation for healthcare expenses over the same period.
-
Transitional solution for continued access to investment services following Brexit
Today the Government will present a bill to the Riksdag to make it possible to exempt companies from the United Kingdom for a limited time from the requirement to hold a licence from Finansinspektionen (the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority) to provide investment services.
· Article from Per Bolund, Ministry of Finance
-
Proposals aiming to offer EU citizens continued entitlement to social security benefits after Brexit
In the social security area, the immediate effect of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU is that central EU legal provisions will no longer apply. To prevent any acute consequences, the Government is planning to take measures that will primarily mitigate the effects that may arise for individuals during the initial period after the withdrawal. The proposals aim to allow a period of adjustment.
-
Setback in process for an orderly withdrawal
On 15 January, the House of Commons of the UK Parliament voted by a large majority to reject the negotiated Withdrawal Agreement. This means a setback in the process for an orderly UK withdrawal. It does not mean that the process has ended.
· Article from Prime Minister's Office
