Brexit – what you need to know

The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020. This process is often known as 'Brexit'.

We're now in a transition period (also known as the implementation period) that's likely to last until the end of December 2020. This means the UK is currently still following EU rules.

In January 2021 the transition period will end and our new relationship with the EU will begin. There will be effects on some areas of life in Scotland.

It's still not clear what these effects will be. Despite this, the Scottish Government is working with the UK Government and public bodies to prepare for possible impacts on people and business in Scotland. Visit the Scottish Government website for more information.

The Scottish Government is looking at two main options for what will happen after the transition period ends:

• Brexit with a trade deal
• Brexit without a trade deal (a 'no deal' situation)

The UK Government has proposed a trade deal. But it has not yet been ratified (confirmed). This means 'no deal' could still happen.

You may have questions about what Brexit means for you. You might have questions about the availability of medicines or food, or how EU citizens living in Scotland may be affected.

This site provides information and guidance to help you prepare for Brexit, including a 'no deal' situation. Not all information is available at this time. Regular updates will be made to this site as new information becomes available.

Brexit could include changes to a number of different things in your day to day life. For more information, select an area below:

• agriculture (farming and food production)
• business (EU employees and Scottish businesses)
• civil rights (voting and consumer rights)
• education (services, qualifications and funding)
• environment (protection and legislation)
• EU citizens living in Scotland
• EU funding guarantee (funding and contact details)
• family, civil and commercial disputes
• financial services (banking and regulation)
• fisheries (commercial fishing, landing and exporting)
• forestry (importing and exporting)
• food and drink (food supply and laws)
• health and social care (medicines and services)
• housing (social and private housing)
• justice and security (rights and crime)
• sport (employment and funding)
• tax (council and income tax)
• travel and transport (holidays, pets and haulage)
• visiting Scotland (tourism and short-term break)
• welfare and finances (benefits, pensions and money)

The UK Government website gives more information on Brexit and reserved matters.

If you are a UK citizen living in an EU country there's also a section giving information and guidance on how Brexit may affect you and how you may need to prepare.

The gov.scot site also contains information about the UK's possible exit from the European Union (Brexit) in:

• Español (Spanish)
• Français (French)
• Italiano (Italian)
• Polski (Polish)

The content on this site is correct as of today's date and is based on the information available at this time. Regular updates will be made as the Brexit process develops. In the event of a 'no deal', additional advice and information will be given on this site. Please continue to check back for updates.