What changes will the “new dawn” bring after the final Brexit curtain? -BBC News

The Brexit train has come to an end. At 23:00 GMT on December 31, 2020, London’s Big Ben sounded, the transition period ended, and Britain completely left the European Union.

Since the 2016 referendum, he has passed through two general elections and tested three prime ministers. After several “deadlines”, the Brexit was confirmed a year ago, and a week before the end of the transition period, on Christmas Eve 2020 (December 24), the two parties reached an agreement: on the 30th, European Commission President von der Lein and Council of Europe President Michelle signed the EU (Future Relationships) Act with the approval of the British Parliament on the same day. Effective at 11:00 p.m. on the 31st.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared that “the fate of this great country is firmly in our hands”, and his supporters praised the “new age and new dawn”. The website “The Economist” read: “The UK has lost the European Union, what kind of position can it find in the world in the future”, and the remaining faction insists that Brexit is not as good as it is.

Even if an amicable separation agreement is reached, separation is a separation after all, and it will still bring many important changes. The British police will no longer be able to share information on wanted crimes, fingerprints and criminals in the EU, but the European Court of Justice will no longer have the power to rule on disputes between the UK and EU countries.

Additionally, businesses and individuals on both sides will encounter many new situations in terms of travel, immigration, business, residency abroad, and life.

The free movement of people across borders is over. As of January 1, British citizens traveling to EU Schengen countries can stay visa-free for 90 days (including EU member states Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein). Furthermore, the passport must be valid for more than 6 months and the travel insurance must include medical insurance.

The existing European Union Health Insurance (TSE) card is not valid and there may be new arrangements to replace it in the future. Specific regulations such as the entry of pets and mobile phone roaming rates will be changed. When entering the country, you will have to queue in the channels of citizens of other countries outside the EU.

Due to the new corona epidemic, travelers from non-EU countries cannot enter the European Union for various reasons without a prescribed permit. This ban now also applies to British passport holders.

Duty-free shops are reborn. When returning from the European Union to the UK, duty-free products are allowed, including 42 liters of beer, 18 liters of wine, 4 liters of spirits and 200 cigarettes.

The UK’s ‘point system’ immigrant visa system was launched, and the EU (except Ireland) also applies.

EU citizens (including Iceland, Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein, except Ireland) who have lived in the UK before December 31, 2020 have their existing rights extended until June 2021, after which they must apply for a visa or corresponding permit.

Similarly, the rights of residence, study and work that the British originally enjoyed automatically in the EU are terminated, and the treatment will be the same as that of citizens of other non-EU countries.

British citizens already living in the European Union, such as Britons now living in France, must renew their residence permits in accordance with the new regulations in their country, including applying for work visas, immigrant visas or immigration permits. permanent residence.

There is no tariff between the UK and the EU, and there is no upper limit on the number of goods imported and exported.

Although there are no tariffs, companies in England, Scotland and Wales still have to fill out customs declaration forms like other non-EU countries, with an additional layer of formalities. The import and export of plants, live animals and some other basic products still require special certificates and permits.

British companies doing business and investing in the European Union will no longer enjoy EU membership treatment, which involves various regulations and certification of professional qualifications and other matters, and must comply with the relevant laws and regulations of various countries in non-EU countries.

Similarly, Britain can negotiate bilateral trade deals with the rest of the world alone.

Northern Ireland will be an exception. The border between Northern Ireland and Ireland is the same as the border between the United Kingdom and the European Union. It was originally an “invisible border” and will remain “invisible” in the future. There will be no border controls.

Northern Ireland will continue to comply with many European Union regulations and trucks will be exempt from inspection when transiting the border. However, some British household products will have to undergo further inspections upon entering Northern Ireland. Meat, fish and eggs must meet EU standards when entering Northern Ireland. Supermarkets have a 3-month buffer period and some meat products have a 6-month buffer period.

After the buffer period has elapsed, negotiations will continue.