New EU Transition Rules for Businesses from 1st January 2021

Before we get started, I hope you are all enjoying a happy new year! So now onto brass tacks…unless you’ve lived under a rock for the past 5 years you’ll likely have heard of this little thing called ‘Brexit’, which will now take effect as of 1st January 2021. This means there are now quite a few changes to the way in which businesses who deal with any sort of EU trade will need to operate hereon. Below I’ve listed the very briefest of key points listed in this new agreement with the EU, however for all of the information please head over to the government’s website here – https://www.gov.uk/transition

Key Points of the Brexit Deal

Trade

• There will be new safety border checks which will include custom declarations.
• From the 1st January there will be no taxes/tariffs on goods and no limit on the amount that can be traded between the UK and EU.
• There will be new restrictions on certain UK animal food produce. For example, uncooked meats like burgers and sausages will not be permitted to enter unless they are frozen to -18C.

What does this mean for UK businesses?

With news of a deal in place, this means that the fear of some goods becoming more expensive has been avoided. However this will mean that businesses will need to prepare for port and transport procedures. If new paperwork is incomplete, it could lead to disruption.

Service & Qualifications

• Business services such as architecture, accounting and banking will lose their automatic right of access to the EU markets.
• There will no longer be automatic recognition of professional qualifications for people Cush as chefs, architects and healthcare professionals.

What does this mean for UK businesses?

The UK will need to comply with the regulations in each individual country as opposed to following the EU rules. Qualifications gained in the UK will no longer be recognised in the EU, therefore it will be harder for people to sell their services in the EU. The UK and EU are pledging to keep talking to try to improve access for the service sector in the future.

Travel

• UK nationals will need a visa for stays longer than 90 days in the EU in a 180-day period.
• EU pet passports are no longer valid.
• The UK is no subject to the ban on additional roaming charges.
• EHIC cards will no longer be in use. They will remain valid until they expire.

What does this mean for UK businesses?

The EHIC card will be replaced with a new UK Global Health Insurance Card. Full details on this have yet to be released. Pets will still be allowed to travel to the EU however it will be a more complicated process as owners will need to obtain health certificates for each trip they make. Mobile operators in the UK will be able to charge for data roaming, therefore people should check with their mobile phone company before they travel.