Business after Brexit (EU employees and Scottish businesses)

Last updated: 6 February 2020

The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020. This process is often known as 'Brexit'.

We're now in a transition period (also known as the implementation period) that's likely to last until the end of December 2020. This means the UK is currently still following EU rules.

In January 2021 the transition period will end and our new relationship with the EU will begin. There will be effects on some areas of life in Scotland.

This may include changes to the way businesses operate.

The UK is now in the Brexit transition period. This means many of the details about what Brexit will mean are not yet known. This page gives the latest facts, but it will be updated as more details are confirmed. Please keep checking back for new information.

PrepareforBrexit.scot provides the latest information and guidance to Scottish businesses on preparing for the end of the transition period (Brexit).

This includes:

  • a 10-point Brexit checklist of essential actions you can take now
  • support for export and customs documentation, including information on grant funding
  • sector specific Brexit guidance
  • the latest information on changes to tariffs, supply chains and logistics
  • events, webinars and virtual networking information
  • access to expert advisors

Visit PrepareforBrexit.scot

EU employees

If you're an employer and some of your staff are EU citizens, you should make sure they're aware of what they have to do to remain in the UK.

Any EU citizens living in the UK (except Irish citizens) will have to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if they want to keep living in the UK after 30 June 2021. This also applies to citizens from:

  • Norway
  • Iceland
  • Liechtenstein
  • Switzerland

The EU citizens after Brexit page gives more information on what employees need to know, and how they can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

The UK Government also has an EU Settlement Scheme employer toolkit, which gives employers the information they need to support their EU employees and help them and their families apply to the scheme.

The PrepareforBrexit.scot site also gives information for Scottish businesses to help make sure their EU employees are prepared.

The content on this site is correct as of today's date and is based on the information available at this time. Regular updates will be made as the Brexit process develops. In the event of a 'no deal', additional advice and information will be given on this site. Please continue to check back for updates.