Brexit schedule

These are target dates for the key steps in the Brexit process…

18th October 2018: European Council meeting.
This is the target date for agreement of the withdrawal treaty and an outline of a future free trade agreement.

January – February 2019: Ratification of withdrawal treaty.
The hope is that the withdrawal treaty can be ratified by both the UK and EU a month or two ahead of exit day.

29th March: Exit Day.
UK membership of the European Union will end unless both sides agree to an extension. Assuming there is an agreement, the UK will then start a transition period during which it will continue to have free access to EU markets. Without a deal, the UK will leave the EU immediately without a transition period (the so-called “Hard Brexit”).

31st December 2020: End of Transition Period.
The intention is that a free trade deal is agreed between the UK and EU which would come into force as soon as the transition period ends.