Brexit Update: EU Agrees to Extension until January 31, 2020

The EU Council in Brussels, consisting of 27 EU ambassadors, has agreed to the UK Government’s request to remain in the EU until January 31, 2020. This is the third extension the EU has granted the UK. Under the agreement, EU nationals will continue to have free movement rights to live and work in the UK, and likewise, UK nationals will be able to live and work in the EU.  The EU Settlement Scheme remains open for eligible applicants to apply prior to the UK leaving the EU. Companies should encourage eligible EU nationals to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme before January 31, 2020.

It is still possible that the UK will pull out earlier than January 31, 2020. But that would require Parliament to approve the exit agreement Prime Minister Boris Johnson reached with the EU earlier this month. After rejecting the Prime Minister’s fast-track timetable on October 22, this may prove challenging.