30 January 2020
The Minister for External Relations is reassuring Islanders that nothing will change when the UK legally leaves the EU tomorrow. This is because there is an agreed transition period which lasts until 31 December 2020, during which time the status quo will continue.
This means there will be no changes to:
- trade in goods
- passports
- students attending EU universities
- Jersey people living in EU countries
- travelling to EU countries
- taking vehicles into EU countries
- pet travel into EU countries
Senator Ian Gorst said: “The Government of Jersey has been working since the announcement of the UK referendum in 2016 to ensure Jersey is prepared for Brexit, whether the UK leaves with or without a deal.
“Now that the UK is leaving the European Union with a transition period in place, Islanders will not see any changes in their ability to travel to, or trade with, the European Union. The status quo will continue until 31 December 2020, by which time a new relationship between the UK and EU should be in place.
“My team is still working to ensure that Jersey’s interests are represented as the UK Government negotiates its future relationship with the EU. The Brexit Unit will focus on international trade, building on our Brexit and Global Markets objectives, and promoting and protecting Jersey’s international identity and reputation.”
Any changes that impact on Islanders at the end of the transition period will only become evident once the UK and EU have reached agreement on their future relationship. Their negotiations start in earnest on 1 February.