Timeline
On this page you will find the key steps and links to further information for each of the major steps of the negotiations between the UK and the EU on the future relationship since leaving the EU (1 February 2020) until the end of the transition period (31 December 2020).
2021: Year 1 of new relationship
Ireland/NI Protocol: Commission publishes Notice on Application of Union Acquis for medicines
29 December 2021: Commission Notice – Application of the Union’s pharmaceutical acquis in markets historically dependent on medicines supply from or through parts of the United Kingdom other than Northern Ireland
Ireland/NI Protocol: Commission proposals to amend legislation for medicines
17 December 2021. European Commission puts forward 'bespoke solutions' to 'ensure the continued supply of medicines to Northern Ireland. It proposes amendments to three regulations.
TCA: EU and UK reach agreement on fishing opportunities for 2022
21 December 2021. The EU and the UK reach an agreement on fishing opportunities for 2022: outcome of the annual consultations on fishing opportunities between the EU and the UK under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).
Liz Truss holds call with Maroš Šefčovič
21 December 2021. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss holds call with European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič (short statement by Truss below; Šefčovič made no statement)
Liz Truss is appointed UK’s co-chair of the Partnership Council and the Joint Committee
19 December 2021. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Liz Truss is appointed UK’s co-chair of the Partnership Council and the Joint Committee, and will lead the ongoing negotiations on the operation of the Ireland/NI Protocol. Chris Heaton-Harris become Minister of State for Europe.
Lord Frost Resigns from the Cabinet
18 December 2021: Lord Frost resigns from his position as Minister of State with responsibility aftermath of Brexit and as the UK chairman of the EU–UK Partnership Council.
Ireland/NI Protocol: Šefčovič and Frost meet
17 December 2021. Maroš Šefčovič and Lord Frost meet.
Ireland/NI Protocol Šefčovič statement on EU-UK discussions
17 December 2021. Press remarks by Maroš Šefčovič and statement on relations with the UK in which he urges the UK to show cooperation.
Lord Frost statement on UK-EU discussion on Ireland/NI Protocol
17 December 2021. Lord Frost statement after the meeting: lists 13 points that restate what Lord Frost’s position has been on the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland since the publication of the Command Paper.
European AGRIFISH Council: no agreement yet with UK fishing opportunities for 2022
13 December 2021. Commissioner Sinkevicius' AGRIFISH Council Press Statement: ‘consultations with the UK on fishing opportunities for 2022 are still ongoing.... However, for the stocks shared between the EU, Norway and the United Kingdom, we have achieved an agreement'
TCA: statement by Commission on licences for French Fisherman
11 December 2021. Statement by the European Commission on licences for French Fisherman.
TCA EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly: House of Lords adopts motion
8 December 2021. The House of Lords agreed a motion to participate in the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly along the same principles of participation in other International Organizations' Parliamentary Assembly (NATO, Council of Europe...).
Šefčovič holds online meeting with Irish Parliament’s Joint Committee on EU Affairs
8 December 2021. Maroš Šefčovič holds an online meeting with the Irish Parliament’s Joint Committee on EU Affairs.
TCA EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly: House of Commons adopts motion
6 December 2021. The House of Commons agreed a motion to participate in the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly along the same principles of participation in other International Organizations' Parliamentary Assembly (NATO, Council of Europe...).
Šefčovič participates online in a meeting of the Committee for the Executive Office of the Northern Ireland Assembly
1 December 2021. Maroš Šefčovič participates online in a meeting of the Committee for the Executive Office of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
TCA Trade Partnership Committee First Meeting
16 November 2021. First meeting of the Trade Partnership Committee under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Withdrawal Agreement Specialised Committee on Financial Provisions: Joint Statement
12 November 2021. Fourth meeting of the Specialised Committee on Financial Provisions, via video conference and co-chaired by officials from the UK Government and European Commission.
Liz Truss gives statement relating to negotiations on Gibraltar
18 October 2021. Liz Truss gives Statement on the UK’s Relationship with Gibraltar in the House of Commons that lists the UK’s position on the Commission’s draft mandate for negotiations published in July 2021.
Ireland/NI Protocol: Commission proposes bespoke arrangements
13 October 2021. European Commission publishes 'bespoke arrangements' in four 'non-papers' (customs, SPS, medicines, stakeholder engagement) for the implementation of the Protocol.
Lord Frost Lisbon speech: Observations on the present state of the nation
12 October 2021. Lord Frost delivers a speech in Lisbon on the meaning of Brexit, on fixing the UK-EU relationship and on fixing the Protocol on Ireland and NI.
TCA Trade Specialised Committee on Level Playing Field for Open and Fair Competition and Sustainable Development: First meeting
12 October 2021. Trade and Cooperation Agreement: First meeting of the Trade Specialised Committee on Level Playing Field for Open and Fair Competition and Sustainable Development.
TCA Trade Specialised Committee on Public Procurement: First meeting
12 October 2021. Trade and Cooperation Agreement: First meeting of the Trade Specialised Committee on Public Procurement. 50 participants 50 (10 for UK without devolved administrations being represented and 40 for EU).
European AGRIFISH Council meeting discusses shared UK fish stocks
11-12 October 2021. AGRIFISH Council meeting in Luxembourg: the Council agenda lists UK Fish as an item on the agenda: Ministers held an exchange of views on fishing opportunities for stocks shared with the United Kingdom for 2022.
TCA Trade Specialised Committee on Services, Investment and Digital Trade: First meeting
11 October 2021. Trade and Cooperation Agreement: First meeting of the Trade Specialised Committee on Services, Investment and Digital Trade. 35 UK participants and 43 EU representatives.
TCA Trade Specialised Committee on Goods: First meeting
8 October 2021. Trade and Cooperation Agreement : First meeting of the Trade Specialised Committee on Goods. 87 representatives (32 for UK, including devolved administrations, and 55 for EU).
TCA Trade Specialised Committee on Customs Cooperation and Rules of Origins: first meeting
7 October 2021. Trade and Cooperation Agreement: First meeting of the Trade Specialised Committee on Customs Cooperation and Rules of Origins. 87 participants (42 for UK and 45 for EU).
Council authorises start of negotiations for an agreement in respect of Gibraltar
5 October 2021. The Council of the EU adopts decision authorising the opening of negotiations for an EU-UK agreement in respect of Gibraltar, as well as the negotiating directives. On this basis, the European Commission can begin formal negotiations with the UK in respect of Gibraltar.
TCA EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly: European Parliament takes a decision
5 October 2021. European Parliament decision on setting up its delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, and defining its numerical strength.
Specialised Committee on the implementation of Ireland/NI Protocol
24 September 2021. Ninth meeting of the Specialised Committee on the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. No joint statement.
TCA Trade Specialised Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures: first meeting
22-23 September 2021. First meeting of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement Trade Specialised Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS). 120 attendants (70 on UK side and 50 on EU side)
Withdrawal Agreement Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights: Joint statement
16 September 2021. Eighth meeting of the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights, co-chaired by officials from the European Commission and the UK government.
Lord Frost statement to the House of Lords on Brexit Opportunities
16 September 2021. Lord Frost announces the UK government’s ‘plans to 'capitalise on new Brexit freedoms', including 'tailored mechanism for accelerating the repeal or amendment of this retained EU law'.
UK launches plans to capitalise on new Brexit freedoms
16 September 2021. UK Government launches plans to capitalise on new Brexit freedoms building on recommendations from the Taskforce for Regulatory Reform, Innovation and Growth (TIGRR) led by Sir Iain Duncan Smith.
TCA: UK further delays introducing full import controls for goods from EU to UK
14 September 2021. UK Government introduces revised timetable for introducing full import controls for goods being imported from the EU to the UK.
Šefčovič on a two-day visit to Norther Ireland
9-10 September 2021. Maroš Šefčovič two-day visit to Northern Ireland (Press speaking points below).
Ireland/NI Protocol: Statement by the Commission rejecting renegotiation
6 September 2021. Statement by the European Commission following the UK announcement regarding the operation of the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland.
Lord Frost speech at British-Irish Association
4 September 2021. Lord Frost speech at British-Irish Association outlining the meaning of Brexit.
Johnson calls Von der Leyen over Ireland/NI Protocol proposals
22 July 2021. Ursula von der Leyen tweets that PM Boris Johnson called to present the UK Command paper on the Irish/NI Protocol and states that the EU will not renegotiate.
Ireland/NI Protocol: UK publishes Command Paper
21 July 2021. UK government publishes so-called 'command paper' detailing the UK's proposed approach on the Protocol, strongly favoring renegotiation.
Commission proposes draft mandate for negotiations on Gibraltar
20 July 2021. The European Commission adopted a Recommendation for a Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations for an EU-UK agreement on Gibraltar and presented its proposal for negotiating guidelines.
Specialised Committee on the implementation of Ireland/NI Protocol
19 July 2021. Eighth meeting of the Specialised Committee on the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. No joint statement.
Specialised Committee on the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland
19 July 2021. European Commission statement following eighth meeting.
Specialised Committee on the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland
19 July 2021. UK statement following eighth meeting.
Withdrawal Agreement Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights: Joint statement
17 June 2021. Seventh meeting of the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights, co-chaired by officials from the European Commission and the UK Government and with a number of representatives from EU Member States also in attendance.
Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee Eighth Meeting
9 June 2021: Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee in London and and by videoconference.
Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee Eighth Meeting
9 June 2021: European Commission Statement on Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee Eighth Meeting.
Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee Eighth Meeting
9 June 2021. UK Statement on Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee Eighth Meeting.
TCA Partnership Council chaired by Frost and Šefčovič holds First Meeting
9 June 2021. First Meeting of the Partnership Council under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, held in London and co-chaired by Lord Frost and Maroš Šefčovič .
TCA Partnership Council: Commission statement
9 June 2021. Statement by the European Commission following the first meeting of the Partnership Council under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
TCA Partnership Council: UK statement
9 June 2021. UK Government statement on the meeting of the Partnership Council.
Adoption of a supplementing agreement to the TCA concerning security procedures for exchanging and protecting classified information
30 April 2021. The 'Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning security procedures for exchanging and protecting classified information' is published in the Official Journal.
EU ratifies the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
29 April 2021. EU ratifies the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement and the security of information agreement. Both agreements will enter into force on 1 May 2021.
Withdrawal Agreement Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights: Joint Statement
28 April 2021. Sixth meeting of the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights, co-chaired by officials from the European Commission and the UK Government and with a number of representatives from EU Member States also in attendance.
Withdrawal Agreement Specialised Committee on Financial Provisions: Joint Statement
26 April 2021. Third meeting of the Specialised Committee on Financial Provisions, via video conference and co-chaired by officials from the European Commission and UK Government.
EU-UK Specialised Committee on Gibraltar: Statement
21 April 2021. Third meeting of the Specialised Committee on Gibraltar via videoconference, co-chaired by officials from the European Commission and the UK Government and with representatives from Member States, including Spain, attended as part of the EU delegation.
Specialised Committee on the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland
26 March 2021. Seventh meeting of the Specialised Committee on the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. No joint statement.
Seventh meeting of the Specialised Committee on the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland
26 March 2021. European Commission Statement
Seventh meeting of the Specialised Committee on the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland
26 March 2021. UK Statement.
Ireland/NI Protocol: European Commission launches infringement procedures
15 March 2021. European Commission addressed a Letter of Formal Notice to the UK, thereby launching an infringement procedure for breaching substantive provisions of the Protocol, as well as the good faith obligation under the Agreement. The UK unilaterally extended the Northern Ireland grace period without informing the EU.
Šefčovič letter to Frost on UK unilateral delay to application of Ireland/NI Protocol
15 March 2021. Maroš Šefčovič addresses letter to Lord Frost urging the UK government to rectify and refrain from putting into practice the statements and guidance published earlier in the month, and to engage in bilateral consultations for a solution to be found.
Lord Frost is appointed Minister of State for Brexit
1 March 2021: Lord Frost is appointed Minister of State at the Cabinet Office with responsibility for both the domestic and international aftermath of Brexit and succeeds Michael Gove as the UK chairman of the EU–UK Partnership Council.
Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee: Joint statement by Co-chairs
24 February 2021: Joint statement by European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and the UK Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove, co-chairs of the Joint Committee on the Withdrawal Agreement.
Withdrawal Agreement Specialised Committee on Ireland and Northern Ireland
23 February 2021. Sixth meeting of the Specialised Committee on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
TCA Provisional application extended until 30 April 2021
23 February 2021. The EU-UK Partnership Council decided, at the EU's request, to extend the provisional application of the agreement until 30 April 2021 to allow sufficient time to complete the legal-linguistic revision of the agreements in all 24 languages.
Joint Committee on the Withdrawal Agreement: Joint Statement by co-chairs
11 February 2021: Joint statement by European Commission Vice-President Šefčovič and the UK Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Gove, co-chairs of the EU-UK Joint Committee on the Withdrawal Agreement
From leaving the EU until the end of the transition period (1 February 2020 to 31 December 2020).
End of the Transition period
31 December 2020, at 23:00 UK time, the transition period ended
UK & Spain reach agreement on Gibraltar
31 December 2020: UK, alongside Chief Minister of Gibraltar, and Spanish government, reach agreement on a political framework to form the basis of a separate treaty between the UK and the EU regarding Gibraltar
Parliament discusses EU (Future Relationship) Bill & Bill receives Royal Assent
30 December 2020: Parliament is recalled to approve the legislation. The Bill was scheduled to go through all of its Commons and Lords stages before the end of the transition period. It received Royal Assent on the same day
UK Government publishes EU (Future Relationship) Bill
29 December: UK Government published the European Union (Future Relationship) Bill. The purpose of the Bill is to implement the provisions of the TCA, NCA and SCIA in domestic law.
EU Ambassadors unanimously approve provisional application of TCA
28 December 2020 EU Ambassadors unanimously approve the provisional application of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
UK & EU reach an Agreement
24 December 2020 the UK and EU announced the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and two seperate agreements: the EU-UK Security of Information Agreement and the EU-UK Agreement for cooperation on the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear energy
Ursula von der Leyen & Boris Johnson speak over the phone
17 December 2020 UK PM and European Commission President speak on Thursday night. Von der Leyen: "big differences", particularly on fishing rights, would be "very challenging". Mr Johnson said a no deal scenario was "very likely" unless the EU position changed "substantially"
Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson speak over the phone
13 December 2020 Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson agree to continue talks and issue a Joint statement
European Commission published Contingency measures
10 December 2020 Communication and legislative proposals from the Commission on limited contingency measures in the absence of an agreement on a future partnership with the UK
Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson have dinner in Brussels
9 December 2020 Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson meet over dinner in Brussels. No joint statement
Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson speak over the phone
7 December 2020 Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson speak to take stock after call on 5 December and agree to meet in person.
Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson speak over the phone
5 December 2020 Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson agree to continue talks and issue a Joint statement
David Frost & Michel Barnier pause talks
4 December 2020 UK Chief Negotiator David Frost and EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier pause talks to brief their Principals ahead of calll between ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson: "significant divergences on LPF, fisheries and governance"
Ursula von der Leyen & Boris Johnson speak over the phone
7 November 2020 European Commission President and UK PM agree that some progress has been made, but large differences remain especially on level playing field and fisheries.
UK & EU adopt Organising principles for further negotiations
21 October 2020 Organising principles for further negotiations are agreed and adopted by the Chief Negotiators of the United Kingdom and the European Commission
David Frost & Michel Barnier seek path to resume talks
19 October 2020 Chief Negotiators for the UK and for the EU speak over the phone: "EU remains available to intensify talks on all subjects, and based on legal texts. Now waits for the UK’s reaction" (Barnier); "the EU still needs to make a fundamental change in approach to talks and make clear it has done so" (Frost)
Boris Johnson makes statement on Council Conclusions
16 October 2020 UK PM makes statement on negotiations with the EU in which he "concluded that we should get ready for January 1 with arrangements that are more like Australia’s based on simple principles of global free trade". Unclear whether UK is leaving talks.
European Council agree to continue negotiating
15-16 October : EU leaders agree to continue negotiating
Charles Michel & Boris Johnson speak over the phone
7 October 2020 UK PM speaks with President of the European Council. No joint statement: "deal, but not at any cost" (Michel); "UK prepared to end the transition period on Australia-style terms if no agreement possible" (Johnson)
Ursula von der Leyen & Boris Johnson speak over the phone
3 October 2020 Joint Statement by the President of the European Commission and UK PM: progress had been made but significant gaps remained (fisheries, LPF, and governance). Chief Negotiators to continue work
EU Launches legal Procedure against UK for Breach of Withdrawal Agreement
1 October 2020 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announces the EU will initiate legal proceedings to prevent the UK from trying to use domestic legislation to override aspects of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
Round 9 of Negotiations
29 September-2 October 2020 Ninth round UK-EU future relationship negotiations
Ursula von der Leyen State of the Union
16 September 2020 In her first ‘State of the Union Address’, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warns the UK Government against reneging on the Brexit deal
Round 8 of Negotiations
8-10 September 2020 Eighth round of UK-EU future relationship negotiations
Internal Market Bill is introduced in Parliament
9 September 2020 The UK Internal Market Bill is introduced in Parliament
Internal Market Bill & Breach of Withdrawal Agreement
8 September 2020 Brandon Lewis, secretary of state for Northern Ireland, announces that the Internal Market Bill "does break international law in a specific and limited way" in the House of Commons
Boris Johnson sets October European Council as ultimatum
7 September 2020 UK PM statement on EU negotiations, ahead of round 8 of EU negotiations: "there needs to be an agreement by 15 October"
Boris Johnson "dead in a ditch" rather than extension
5 September 2020 UK PM makes promise that he will not ask for extension to transition period: "I would rather be dead in a ditch"
Round 7 of Negotiations
18-21 August 2020 Seventh round of UK-EU future relationship negotiations
Round 6 of Negotiations
20-23 July 2020 Sixth round of UK-EU future relationship negotiations
European Commission adopts Communication on Readiness
9 july 2020 European Commission "Getting ready for changes - Communication on readiness at the end of the transition period between the European Union and the United Kingdom"
Round 5 (Restricted Round) of Negotiations
29 June - 3 July 2020 Fifth round of UK-EU future relationship negotiations
The deadline for requesting extension passes
30 June 2020 The deadline for the UK to request an extension to the transition period passes
European Council Conclusions on EU-UK relationship
25 June 2020 : The European Council adopts conclusions on EU-UK relations
High Level Meeting on the UK-EU future relationship negotiations
15 June 2020: The UK Prime Minister meets the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Parliament by videoconference. UK Prime Minister meets asks EU leaders to “put a tiger in the tank” of stalled talks.
Round 4 of Negotiations
2 - 5 June 2020 Fourth round of UK-EU Future Relationship negotiations
Michel Barnier replies to David Frost letter
20 May 2020 Michel Barnier replies in a 3 page letter to David Frost's letter
David Frost addresses letter to Michel Barnier
19 May 2020 David Frost, chief negotiator for the UK, addresses 4 page letter to Michel Barnier, chief negatiator for the EU outlining UK demands in conjunction with publication of UK drafts for Agreements
UK publishes its drafts of Agreements
19 May 2020 UK government publishes its drafts for a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and a further 9 seperate agreements
Round 2 of Negotiations
20-24 April 2020 Second round UK-EU future relationship negotiations
EU publishes its draft Agreement
18 March 2020 the European Commission publishes its draft text of the Agreement on the New Partnership with the United Kingdom
Round 1 of Negotiations
02-05 March 2020 First round of UK-EU Future Relationship negotiations
UK publishes its approach to the Negotiations
27 February 2020 the UK publishes its policy paper outlining its approach to the negotiations
European Council adopts Negotiating Directives
25 February 2020 the European Council gives go-ahead for talks to start and adopts negotiating directives which constitute a mandate to the Commission for the negotiations, and formally nominate the Commission as EU negotiator
David Frost gives lecture on Brexit
17 Febuary 2020 David Frost gives lecture in Brussels "Reflections on the revolutions in Europe" in which he outlines why he "thinks the UK is better off out of the EU"
Boris Johnson speech on Global Britain
3 February 2020 UK PM delivers speech in Greenwich outlining his vision for the UK outside of the EU
1 February 2020: The transition period begins.
Boris Johnson becomes PM until the UK leaves the EU: 24 July 2019 - 31 January 2020
Boris Johnson commits to the October date for Brexit
25 July 2019 UK PM makes a statement in the House of Commons and commits to the October date for Brexit and – while hoping for a renegotiation of the Withdrawal Agreement – refuses to rule out the possibility of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit.
Boris Johnson formally takes over as Prime Minister
24 July 2019 Boris Johnson formally takes over as Prime Minister