UK-EU relations - the formal relationship

This UK in a Changing Europe explainer sets out how the UK-EU relationship is structured, how decisions are taken on the EU side, and the respective roles and responsibilities of EU institutions and EU member states. It also discusses how the bilateral accords that the UK has signed with a number of national governments fit alongside the Withdrawal Agreement, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and the obligations of those governments to the EU.

How does the EU organise and manage its relationship with the UK post-Brexit? (October 2023)

Provides an overview of the state of relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union, covering the formal committees under the Withdrawal Agreement and Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the bilateral relations with member states.

UK-EU Relations Tracker Q4 - The UK in a Changing Europe UK-EU Relations Tracker October to December 2023 (January 2024), Cleo Davies and Jannike Wachowiak

UK-EU Relations Tracker Q3 - The UK in a Changing Europe UK-EU Relations Tracker July to September 2023 (October 2023), Cleo Davies and Jannike Wachowiak

UK-EU Relations Tracker Q2 - The UK in a Changing Europe UK-EU Relations Tracker April to June 2023, Cleo Davies and Jannike Wachowiak

UK-EU Relations Tracker Q1 - The UK in a Changing Europe UK-EU Relations Tracker January to March 2023, Cleo Davies and Sophie Stowers

The formal relationship between the EU and the UK is conducted largely within two committee structures – one created by the Withdrawal Agreement, the other by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The Agreements set out dispute settlement procedures and provide for periodic reviews. This explainer describes the committee structures, their functions, and their operation hitherto. It also discusses the institutional arrangements put in place by the UK and the EU to manage the new relationship.

​Institutions and Governance of the UK-EU relationship​ (pdf)

NOTE: This papers was published on 9 May 2022 and were up-to-date at the time of publication.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is the basis for the EU-UK relationship. When it came into provisional operation on 1 January 2021, the TCA left decisions still to be taken in some areas. In others, it provided for transitional arrangements, grace periods, and reviews. Moreover, both parties took unilateral measures to ease the transition and to limit the disruption to citizens, businesses and public authorities caused by introduction of the new arrangements. This explainer presents in what areas decisions or implementation were still pending, and where there have been further extensions, a year and a half into its operation.

Unfinished Business? The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (pdf)

NOTE: This papers was published on 9 May 2022 and were up-to-date at the time of publication.