Brexit transition period has ended - what do marketers need to know?
December 2020
The UK has now left the EU single market and customs union. The end of the transition period could affect many UK businesses. As such, many businesses will turn to marketers for answers and advice on the opportunities and challenges that await.
Working with the UK’s Cabinet Office we have developed a list of actions marketers should advise businesses to prepare for. For more information visit: gov.uk/transition
1) Visas and work permits
If you travel to the EU for work purposes from 1 January 2021, you may need a visa or work permit. The country you are travelling to might also ask you to have other additional documents depending on the activity you perform. This advice may be relevant to anyone travelling to the EU for work purposes: this could include anyone working in the private, public or third sector, for example, professional and business services, manufacturing, charities, or the arts.
More information can be found here
2) Be prepared when it comes to data protection and data transfers
If you work for a business or organisation that receives personal data from the EU/EEA, you may need to take action on data protection as the UK transitions to its new relationship with the EU. Check how you can legally continue to receive personal data such as names, addresses or payroll details from organisations in the EU or EEA from 1 January 2021. You may need to update your contracts or take other steps.
To understand more about the steps you need to take, click here
3) Securing funding
Businesses can still apply for Horizon 2020 grant funding. Although the UK has left the EU, businesses will continue to receive any EU funding they have already been awarded. Businesses can continue to participate in Horizon 2020 programmes and receive EU grant funding for the lifetime of individual projects. This includes projects finishing after 1 January 2021.
Although the UK has left the EU, businesses will also continue to get any EU funding they have already been awarded. This includes funding due after 31 December 2020. It has not yet been decided what funding UK organisations will be able to apply for after the spending framework ends.
- To apply now to Horizon 2020 to secure funding click here
- To find out more regarding EU funding click here
4) Domain names
If your business holds an EU domain, you should check if you need to replace it. From 1 January 2021, UK businesses will no longer be able to register or renew .EU domain names if your business is established in the UK but not in the EU/European Economic Area (EEA), or if you live outside of the EU/EEA and are not an EU/EEA citizen.
Find out more here
5) Importing and exporting goods
If your business imports or exports goods or moves goods around the EU you will need to follow new processes.
6) Employment changes
If your business employs non-UK nationals you/they may need to apply to the EU settlement scheme if they want to continue living and working in the UK.
7) To continue to live and work in the EU
If you are a UK citizen living in the EU, you may need to exchange documents like your UK driving licence for local ones issued by the EU country where you live. To check what you must do to in the country where you currently live, click here
To find out what the ‘transition period’ means for you or your business visit https://www.gov.uk/transition and answer a short questionnaire to identify what actions you need to take to prepare for the changes taking place in 2021.
For the latest Brexit advice and guidance, click here