Clifford Chance

The UK's approach to Brexit transition

23 February 2018

The UK government has issued a response to the EU's proposals on how any transition period should apply. For the most part, the texts are broadly aligned. The UK government's text builds on the draft text in the European Commission's position paper dated 7 February 2018.

The UK text accepts that the withdrawal agreement should secure a continuation of the status quo covering all aspects of the single market during the transition period, including all the four freedoms of goods, capital, services and labour.

Under both texts, EU law would continue to apply during the transition period, in both the UK and the EU, as if the UK were still a Member State, with only limited exceptions.

The UK and the EU hope to reach an agreement on transition at the meeting of the European Council on 22 and 23 March.

Download PDF