At 11:00 p.m. U.K. time on 29 March 2019 the United Kingdom is expected to leave the European Union ("BREXIT Day"). The below timeline sets out milestones in the lead up to BREXIT Day, and thereafter. Please note that there is some uncertainty about the timing of certain milestones (which are at this stage indicative only).
Brexit Timeline
28 February 2018
The European Commission publishes the draft Withdrawal
Agreement, which remains subject to ongoing negotiation between the
United Kingdom and EU27.
14 March 2018
European Parliament publishes a resolution on priorities for, and concerns
about, the final deal.
19 March 2018
The European Commission publishes the latest draft of the Withdrawal
Agreement.
23 March 2018
The European Council adopts new draft guidelines on the framework for the
future EU-U.K. relationship.
March 2018
The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill finishes its
Committee stage in the House of Lords.
End of March 2018
End of Phase 2 negotiations: EU-U.K. outlining the
agreement on transition/implementation arrangements.
May/June 2018
The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill finishes its House of
Lords stages, and proposed amendments pass to the House of Commons
(and vice versa – so-called "Parliamentary ping
pong.").
May/June 2018
U.K. Parliament due to pass the European Union
(Withdrawal) Bill.
31 October 2018
Expected end of EU-U.K. negotiations on withdrawal, and
publication of the draft "Withdrawal Agreement" and
political declaration on "Framework for the Future
Relationship."
October – November 2018
Agreement in principle in the European Council and request
for European Parliament consent to approve the "Withdrawal
Agreement" and "Framework for the Future
Relationship."
The House of Commons and House of Lords vote on both agreements.
November 2018 – December 2018
The Withdrawal Agreement and Implementation Bill
introduced to the House of Commons.
November – December 2018
European Parliament due to vote on the Withdrawal
Agreement.
March 2019
Withdrawal Agreement due to be concluded by the European
Council acting by a qualified majority.
March 2019
Withdrawal Agreement and Implementation Bill passed
(assuming Bill must be passed before exit to provide the necessary
legal framework for transition/implementation period).
Withdrawal Agreement ratified by United Kingdom in accordance with the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.
29 March 2019
The United Kingdom will leave the European Union, unless
BREXIT is reversed or some other timing is agreed between the
European Union and United Kingdom.
30 March 2019
Transition/implementation period due to begin. The United
Kingdom continues to meet with other countries' government
officials about future trade relationships.
May 2019
European Parliament (MEP) election. United Kingdom
continues to negotiate trade arrangements with the European Union
and other countries.
By end of 2019
New European Commissioners in place.
31 December 2020
Transition period ends (unless extended by agreement
between European Union and United Kingdom).
1 January 2021
Earliest possible date upon which any EU-U.K. future trade
arrangement could enter into force. The United Kingdom may also
implement any other trade agreements to which it has agreed with
other countries (unless there is agreement between the United
Kingdom and European Union otherwise).
2021 and onwards
United Kingdom implements free trade agreements with the
European Union, United States, Australia, India and numerous other
countries.
May 2022
U.K. General Election.
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