Everything you should know about the EU Departure on the 31st of Jan
The UK is set to leave the EU on the 31st of Jan. It will no longer be a member of the EU and this is a decision that the EU respects. Both the EU and the UK have conducted various negotiations to try and agree on the terms of the withdrawal and they are also going to try and create legal certainty as well. Additional input from EU consultative bodies have helped the EU to gather evidence throughout the process.
The result of the negotiations has been signed by Charles Michael, who is the president of the EU council and Boris Johnson has also signed the agreement as well. This is one of the last steps in the process that will ultimately seal the withdrawal agreement. So, what is going to happen on February 1st?
What Happens When the UK leaves the EU?
When the UK leaves the EU on the 31st of Jan, there is going to be a transition period. This is a time-limited period and it was agreed as part of the agreement. It’s going to last until the last day in December. Until this point, it will be business as usual for businesses, investors and even students. The UK will no longer be represented in bodies, agencies, offices and more, but the EU law is still going to be in place until the very end of the transition period. The EU and the UK will use these months to try and agree on a new partnership that is fair for the future of everyone. The commissioner is going to adopt comprehensive draft and negotiations and it will then be up to the General Affairs Council to try and adopt the mandate.
When you look at the structure for the negotiations, all of this will be agreed between the UK and the EU. The Task Force for Relations and the UK are going to be in charge of the preparations and the conduct for the future. The UKTF are going to be responsible for the Commissions work and they are also going to be lending support when required.
What’s the Transition Period?
The transition period is a time-limited period. It’s going to start on the 1st of Feb, 2020. The terms of the period are set out in the withdrawal agreement and it’s foreseen that it’s going to end on the 31st of December 2020. It can be extended up to two years.
What Status will the UK Have?
The UK is not going to be a member of the EU, so they are not going to be allowed to participate in any decision-making processes either. All bodies, institutions and more will continue to hold the powers that have been conferred upon them by the EU law. The transition period gives the UK the chance to negotiate any future relationship with the EU and it also means that international agreements can be discussed too.
How Will This Affect the Recruitment Industry?
If you are concerned about your work being affected, then you should know that Europeans will be able to still work as normal during the transition period. You will however need to apply for a settlement visa as this will give you the chance to stay in the UK so that you can continue your work. It should be noted that if you do not apply for this visa, then you may lose your right to work in the country. If you are concerned about this or if you are worried about your application then there are plenty of advice services that can help. Click this link to learn more about EU settled status and how you could qualify.
