BREXIT

(updated December 2019)

 

Given the current uncertainties around Brexit and the impossibility of knowing at this stage which scenario will apply, the information on this website is subject to change depending of political events.

 

On 28 October 2019, Europe voted in favor of postponing Brexit until 31 January 2020, with the possibility for the United Kingdom to leave Europe sooner (approval by the Parliament expected after the elections of 12 December 2019).


The EU and the UK will then have until 31 December 2020 (transitional period) to agree on a new agreement.

 


Withdrawal Agreement


If there is a withdrawal agreement on 31/1/2020, a transitional phase will take place until the end of 2020, during which all EU laws and rules will continue to apply in the UK. 

The withdrawal agreement also provides for this transitional phase to be extended once, for two years, if necessary.

 


No withdrawal agreement


The provisional withdrawal agreement has not yet been approved by the British parliament. It should be after the elections of December 12, 2019.


In Belgium, federal authorities, federated entities, businesses and citizens must therefore prepare for all scenarios, including the possibility of a no deal.

 

The same is true for companies operating in the transport sector between the United Kingdom and Belgium. They must continue to consider the no deal scenario in order to minimize any disruption.


Individuals wishing to travel between the United Kingdom and Belgium must also take into account some changes (see below, heading "Travelers-Practical information").

 

Information from FSP Mobility and Transport

Shipping

Union law provides for a set of rights for passengers, for ship passengers. These rights relate to information, reimbursement and re-routing, compensation, assistance and care, right of redress, and special rights for persons with disabilities and with reduced mobility. 
As of the withdrawal date, EU passenger rights may no longer apply to travel between the EU and the United Kingdom, or may be limited.
 
Ship passengers rights awaiting Brexit regulation : 
 
EU ship passenger rights continue to apply where 
(i) the port of embarkation is in the EU-27; or 
(ii) the port of embarkation is in the United Kingdom, if the port of disembarkation is in the EU-27 and the service is operated by a carrier established within the territory of a Member State or offering passenger transport services to or from a Member State ("Union carrier"). 
 
Travellers should be aware that, depending on the carrier chosen, EU passenger rights may no longer apply to journeys to the EU. 
 
Regarding cruise passengers, the current set of EU passenger rights continues to apply if the port of embarkation is situated in a Member State. 
 
Regulation (EU) No 1177/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 concerning the rights of passengers when travelling by sea and inland waterway, OJ L 334, 17.12.2010, p. 1.

 

Aviation

Pilots: To all holders of a UKCAA pilot license who want to transfer their License (and Medical) to the Belgian CAA

Maintenance engineers (part-66)

 Regulation (EU) 2019/494 - certain aspects of aviation safety (PDF, 227.98 KB)

 Regulation (EU) 2019/502 - common rules ensuring basic air connectivity (PDF, 526.83 KB)

 

Air passenger rights

Regarding the Air passenger rights, Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights, will cease to apply to flights operated by a non EU air carrier from an airport located in the United Kingdom and to an EU airport.
This regulation will still apply in the case of :
  • the flights operated by an EU air carrier from an UK airport to an EU airport;
  • the flights operated by any air carrier from an EU airport to an UK airport.
 

Airport transit visa

From the effective date of Brexit, certain passengers traveling from a non-European country to the United Kingdom (and vice versa) via a European airport will, in certain cases, have to obtain an airport transit visa. For more information, please visit :

 

Road tranport

What happens to the transport of goods on behalf of third parties?

The transport of goods on behalf of third parties from / to / via the United Kingdom is still authorized for the moment under a Community transport license,. Cabotage transport in the United Kingdom will also remain authorized after Brexit under the same conditions as in the EU Member States.

 

This also applies to regular passenger transport.

 

The Contingency Regulation (valid until 31 July 2020 inclusive) guarantees the basic connectivity of road transport (transport of goods, regulated transport of people, cabotage) between the UK and the EU, on condition of reciprocity. Transport companies are therefore not required for the time being to apply for ECMT transport authorizations for transport to the United Kingdom.

 

With regard to occasional passenger transport, coach journeys will fall under the Interbus agreement. This means that practically all international occasional transport services can continue to be carried out under a Community transport license. However, it will be necessary to replace the EU passenger waybill by the Interbus passenger waybill.

 

 

Driving Licence

The effects of Brexit on your driving licence

 

Travelling – Useful information  ( customs controls, prohibitions and restrictions, passport, health, use of automotive vehicles, passenger rights, ...)

Detailed information on all the practical aspects of a trip between the United Kingdom and Belgium can be found in the following European Commission notice:https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/travelling_en_0.pdf

 

General Information

Travelling between the UK and the EU in the event of a “no deal”:

https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/factsheet_1_travel_en_final.pdf

European Commission

FOD Economie

Customs