What is Brexit?
                     WHAT IS BREXIT?
WHAT IS BREXIT?
‘Brexit’ is the name given to the United 
Kingdom’s departure from the European 
Union. It is a combination of ‘Britain’ and 
‘exit’.
Source: www.government.nl
WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN 
UNION?
The European Union (EU) is a grouping of 28 
countries that trade and allow their citizens 
to move freely between nations to work and 
live. Initially, it was built on the ruins of 
World War II to end centuries of bloodshed 
and to integrate economic power.
Source: www.government.nl
REFERENDUM
On 23 June 2016, the UK held a referendum 
on its membership of the EU. The question 
facing voters was: ‘Should the United 
Kingdom remain a member of the European 
Union or leave the European Union?’ 51.89% 
of voters voted to leave the EU. The UK left 
the EU on 31 January 2020.
Source: www.government.nl
TRANSITION PERIOD
Up to and including 31 December 2020 a 
transition period was in place. During that 
time nothing changed and the UK continued 
to comply with all EU laws and rules. 
Negotiations were also held on the new 
relationship between the UK and the EU 
during this time.
Source: www.government.nl
NEW RELATIONSHIP
On 24 December 2020 negotiators for the 
EU and the UK reached a deal on the two 
parties’ new relationship. 
Source: www.government.nl
THE ARTICLE 50 
NEGOTIATING PERIOD
The process of leaving the EU formally 
began on March 29, 2017, when May 
triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. The 
U.K. initially had two years from that date to 
negotiate a new relationship with the EU.
Source: www.government.nl
CITIZENS' RIGHTS
One of the most politically thorny issues 
facing Brexit negotiators was the rights of 
EU citizens living in the U.K. and U.K. 
citizens living in the EU.
Source: www.investopedia.com
EU CITIZENS IN THE UK
Britain's government fought over the rights 
of EU citizens to remain in the U.K. after 
Brexit, publicly airing domestic divisions 
over migration. 
Source: www.investopedia.com
UK CITIZENS IN THE EU
Conservative opponents of the amendment 
argued that unilateral guarantees eroded 
Britain's negotiating position, while those in 
favor of it said EU citizens should not be 
used as bargaining chips.
Source: www.investopedia.com
BREXIT ECONOMIC 
RESPONSE
Though Britain officially left the EU, 2020 
was a transition and implementation period. 
Trade and customs continued during that 
time, so there wasn't much on a day-to-day 
basis that seemed different to U.K. 
residents.
Source: www.investopedia.com