At-a-glance: Key points from the UK and EU’s Brexit agreement
3 min read
Read PoliticsHome's breakdown of the key principles agreed between the EU and UK on citizens’ rights, the Irish border and the so-called 'divorce bill'.
Citizens' rights
- EU citizens living in the UK – and vice versa – will be able to claim permanent residency status through “transparent, smooth and streamlined” procedures.
- EU nationals can bring family members to live with them in Britain, including unborn children and partners, if they are in a "durable relationship".
- Security and criminal checks can be carried out on EU nationals applying for permanent residency in the UK.
- EU citizens who gain permanent residency can be out of the UK - and vice versa - for five years without losing their right to remain.
- The European Court of Justice (ECJ) will continue to have a role in overseeing EU citizens' rights in the UK for eight years after withdrawal.
- The European Health card scheme will continue to apply for anyone from the UK and EU permanently or during the course of their short term residency rights.
Northern Ireland
- All parties agreed that the Good Friday Agreement “must be protected in all its parts” and any future bilateral agreements between the UK and Ireland or the UK and EU must uphold its principles.
- All sides “fully respect and support” Northern Ireland’s constitutional status within the United Kingdom.
- The whole of the UK will leave the customs union, and Northern Ireland’s position in the UK’s internal market will remain protected as any other region.
- There will be no “regulatory barriers” between Northern Ireland and Great Britain unless a devolved administration in Belfast later decides otherwise.
- Equality rights upheld under the Good Friday Agreement and protected under European law will remain as they are.
- The UK will continue to pay into European peace initiatives relating to the province until Britain leaves the bloc, however “future support will be examined favourably”.
Financial settlement
- A final settlement on what the UK will pay – in Euros – as it leaves is estimated to be between £35-£39bn.
- The UK will pay into the EU budget as normal in 2019 and 2020 – as consistent with EU rules signed up to before Britain’s vote to quit the bloc.
- The framework on how the UK will pay the divorce bill will be decided later in negotiations.
Other issues
- The UK will be responsible for upholding international nuclear safeguards and is committed to a future regime similar to that of Euratom arrangements.
- Goods placed on the market before the withdrawal date will continue to circulate under European rules, to save businesses having to recall or modify products.
- Outstanding issues around police and judicial cooperation being negotiated on the day of exit will be completed under European law.
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