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.
This page contains more information on 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?
In view of the difficulties associated with the approval process on the UK side and the direction of the UK Government, there is an imminent risk of the United Kingdom leaving the EU without the Withdrawal Agreement being approved. If this takes place, it would do so according to the timetable that applies at midnight on 31 October.
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. In view of the difficulties associated with the approval process on the UK side and the direction of the UK Government, there is an imminent risk of a no-deal withdrawal.
Contingency planning to handle a no-deal
The Government, in cooperation with relevant agencies, is conducting contingency planning to address the serious consequences that would arise if the UK were to leave the EU without a withdrawal agreement. This concerns identifying, planning and carrying out the measures required to deal with the effects of such a scenario.
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.
Content about Brexit - the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union
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Special regulations on residence permits in the event of a no-deal Brexit
The Ministry of Justice has circulated a memorandum for comment containing proposals for special regulations on residence permits for UK citizens in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The proposals are part of the Government’s preparations ahead of Brexit and aim to make it easier for UK citizens living in Sweden to be granted a residence permit here.
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Prime Minister to receive Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadkar
Prime Minister Stefan Löfven will receive Ireland’s Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar on Thursday 3 October. Mr Löfven and Mr Varadkar will discuss issues surrounding Brexit, as well as current bilateral and EU issues.
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Government’s preparations for a no-deal Brexit
The Swedish Government has assessed that the risk of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union without a withdrawal agreement has increased. To address the most serious consequences of a no-deal withdrawal, the Government has taken a range of measures that strengthen Sweden’s preparedness. At a press conference today, Minister for Finance Magdalena Andersson and Minister for EU Affairs Hans Dahlgren outlined Sweden’s preparations ahead of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
