Transition period

The transition period (also called implementation period) started on February 1, 2020 and will end on December 31, 2020. During the transition period, the United Kingdom is not a Member State of the European Union anymore, however, it is still part of the EU customs union and single market. This means that many things will stay the same as before until the end of the transition period. During the transition period negotiations take place between the UK and the EU to determine their future relationship, for example regarding a free trade agreement.