Post-Brexit agreements
Following Brexit, the EU and the UK negotiated a set of agreements to guide and govern the future EU-UK relationship. These agreements protect citizens' rights while ensuring fair competition and continued cooperation.
Negotiations on the future partnership
Following the United Kingdom's (UK) formal departure from the EU on 31 January 2020, negotiations on the future partnership between the EU and the UK could begin.
The first round of negotiations took place in Brussels on 2 March 2020. Between March and December 2020, the EU and UK negotiated on a set of agreements to guide and govern the future partnership.
On 24 December 2020, the EU reached an agreement with the United Kingdom that set the terms for their future cooperation. Three key agreements were signed by the EU and the UK on 30 December 2020:
- The EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement
- The EU-UK security of information agreement
- The EU-UK agreement for cooperation on the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear energy
These agreements applied provisionally from 1 January 2021 and came into force on 1 May 2021.
Trade and cooperation agreement
The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement is a key agreement that governs the relationship after Brexit. The agreement was signed on 30 December 2020 and applied provisionally as of 1 January 2021. It entered into force on 1 May 2021.
The agreement ensures fair competition, continued cooperation in areas of mutual interest and respect for fundamental rights. It consists of:
- a free trade agreement with ambitious cooperation on economic, social, environmental and fisheries issues
- a close partnership on citizens' security
- an overarching governance framework
The trade and cooperation agreement goes beyond traditional free trade agreements. It includes preferential arrangements in areas such as trade in goods and in services, intellectual property, public procurement, transport, thematic cooperation and participation in EU programmes.
The agreement also establishes a new framework for law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal and civil law matters. Through a dedicated chapter on governance, the agreement gives maximum legal certainty and clarity to businesses, consumers and citizens on how the agreement will be operated and controlled.
During the first EU-UK summit held on 19 May 2025, the two sides agreed on a strategic partnership. This partnership is underpinned by the EU-UK withdrawal agreement, including the Windsor Framework, and the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement. Both sides committed to ensure their full, timely and faithful implementation.
Security of information agreement
The EU-UK security of information agreement was signed by both parties on 30 December 2020 and applied provisionally as of 1 January 2021. It came into force on 1 May 2021.
The agreement enhances EU-UK cooperation in common security threats through exchange of classified information.
Agreement on cooperation on nuclear energy
The EU-UK agreement for cooperation on the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear energy was signed and ratified by the EU and the UK on 30 December 2020. It applied provisionally as of 1 January 2021 and came into force on 1 May 2021.
The agreement enables cooperation on safe and peaceful uses of nuclear energy and includes commitments on both sides to comply with international non-proliferation obligations and to uphold a high level of nuclear safety standards.
The agreement also allows for continued exchange of radiological information and data. In case of nuclear accidents, this will enable early notification, reliable information and rapid coordination between EU member states and the UK.
Fish stocks and energy
As part of the trade and cooperation agreement, the EU and UK agreed on a new framework for the joint management of fish stocks in EU and UK waters. Under this framework, the UK can further develop British fishing activities while the activities and livelihoods of European fishing communities will be protected and natural resources will be preserved.
On 19 May 2025, the European Commission agreed to full reciprocal access to waters until 30 June 2038 and to extend energy cooperation on a continuous basis.
Gibraltar
The EU and the UK have reached a deal on Gibraltar, a British overseas territory located on the Iberian Peninsula.
Given Gibraltar's particular geographical situation and specific characteristics, the main aim of the deal is to secure the future prosperity of the whole region. This will be done by removing all physical barriers to people and goods circulating between Spain and Gibraltar, while fully protecting Schengen, the EU's single market and its custom union.
On 1 April 2026, EU ambassadors greenlit the deal, which was signed on 14 July 2026 and applies provisionally as of 15 July 2026. Previously, in October 2021, the Council adopted a decision to open negotiations for an EU-UK agreement on Gibraltar, which paved the way for formal negotiations between the European Commission and the UK.
Competition cooperation agreement
In June 2023, justice and home affairs ministers adopted a decision authorising the opening of negotiations with the UK on cooperation in competition matters.
The upcoming agreement will supplement the trade and cooperation agreement and will cover matters related to the application of EU competition law.
Security and defence partnership
On 19 May 2025, the EU and UK established a security and defence partnership that aims to frame cooperation across a wide range of areas such as regional security, peace-building and crisis management, maritime security and cyber issues.
Future deals
In May 2025, the EU and the UK committed to renewing bilateral cooperation, as part of the common understanding agreed between the European Commission and the UK. The common understanding identifies areas of future work to strengthen relations, including work towards:
- a youth experience scheme
- the association of the UK with the Erasmus+ programme
- UK participation in the EU electricity market
- a common area for sanitary and phytosanitary (agrifood) products
- linking the emission trading systems
On 13 November 2025, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations between the EU and the UK on agreements on agri-food products and linking the two parties' emissions trading systems. On 30 March 2026, it authorised the Commission to open negotiations on two more agreements, one one the UK's participation in the EU's internal electricity market and the other on an appropriate UK financial contribution to the EU's cohesion policy.
Once negotiations are finished, the Council must endorse the agreements before they can enter into force.
On 30 March 2026, the Council also agreed to allow the UK to participate in the EU's Erasmus+ programme for the year 2027.
- A renewed agenda for European Union-United Kingdom cooperation: common understanding (European Commission)
- EU-UK relations: Council greenlights talks on electricity and cohesion deals, as well as UK's participation in Erasmus+ for 2027 (press release, 30 March 2026)
- EU-UK relations: Council greenlights negotiations on agri-food deal and linking emissions trading systems (press release, 13 November 2025)
Related documents and publications
- Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, 18 October 2019
- Revised political declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the EU and the UK, 17 October 2019 (European Commission)
Last review: 15 July 2026