It’s important that your business plans for changes ahead of the UK leaving the EU. Please visit Prepare for EU Exit to find more detailed guidance on policy changes relevant to your sector and to sign up for updates.

Importing and exporting

Preparing for disruption to trade at the UK-EU border

1. Get a UK Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number so you can continue to import or export goods and apply for authorisations that will make customs processes easier for you.
2. Decide if you want to hire an import-export agent, or make the declarations yourself.
3. Contact the organisation that moves your goods (for example, a haulage firm) to find out what information they need to make the declarations for your goods, or if you will need to make them yourself.

Read the guidance on simplified customs procedures for trading with the EU if we leave without a deal.

Further information is provided in HMRC’s advice for businesses trading with the EU.

Preparing for changes to existing trade agreements

Check the way you currently trade with non-EU countries. When the UK leaves the EU the way you access existing favourable arrangements with these countries may change. Changes may be different for each country.

Read the guidance on changes to trading with non-EU countries that have a free trade agreement with the EU.

Regulation and standards

Recognising CAA and EASA licences

Certificates which were issued by the CAA or for a UK based organisation by EASA before the UK leaves the EU would no longer be automatically accepted after EU Exit.

Read about how businesses can apply for valid safety certification for the EASA system before the UK leaves the EU through third country approval or transferring your licence to another EASA state.

The European Commission draft regulation from December 2018 says if the UK leaves the EU without a deal:

• type certificates (and a number of related certificates) and design organisation approvals issued by EASA to UK organisations before the UK leaves the EU will remain valid for 9 months
• Authorised Release Certificates, Certificates of Release to Service and Airworthiness Review Certificates issued before the UK leaves the EU by organisations approved by the CAA will be valid with no time limit

Businesses with UK-issued certificates for aircraft registered in the EU should check the European Commission’s notice and with the relevant EU authorities.

Further guidance is available on preparing to work and operate in the European aviation sector after Brexit.

European and domestic funding

Current Horizon 2020 grant holders

The government has committed to underwrite funding for Horizon 2020 projects submitted while we are still a member of the EU.

If you’re a UK organisation receiving Horizon 2020 funding you need to register your details. This will make sure that we:

• have initial information about you and your project to underwrite guarantee payments if needed
• can keep you updated about what you need to do next

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will manage the information you provide and update you as the process develops.

For help registering multiple grants, you can email the UKRI grants team at EUGrantsFunding@ukri.org.

Horizon 2020 applicants after EU exit

The government has extended the guarantee to cover funding Horizon 2020 projects where UK organisations are able to participate as a third country. This extension runs from 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020) until the end of 2020.

Read the guidance on Horizon 2020 funding if there’s no Brexit deal.

Your employees

Employing EU workers

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, EU citizens who are resident in the UK before 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020) will be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to get settled or pre-settled status, which will mean they can continue to live, work and study in the UK.

The scheme will be open to applications from 30 March 2019 and EU workers must apply by 31 December 2020 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

You can use the EU Settlement Scheme guidance for employers to give further information to your employees.

Applying for skilled-work or unskilled-work visas

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, there will be a new process for EU citizens arriving in the UK before 31 December 2020. From 1 January 2021, a new skills-based immigration system will launch.

For non-EU nationals, EU Exit will not affect the application process for work visas.

Travelling to the EU

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, British passport holders travelling to the EU will need to have 6 months remaining validity on their passport, not including any extra months added to a 10 year passport if it was renewed early.

Read guidance about travelling to the EU with a UK passport if the UK leaves the EU without a deal and check your passport to see if you need to renew earlier than planned.

Trade associations

Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space