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UK and EEA EFTA States sign agreement to protect citizens’ rights and resolve wider separation issues when the UK leaves the EU.

The UK, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein yesterday signed the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement. This agreement largely mirrors the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated with the EU.

The agreement protects the rights of 17,000 UK nationals living in the EEA EFTA States and 15,000 EEA EFTA nationals living in the UK, ensuring that at the end of the Transition Period they will be able to enjoy broadly the same rights as they do now. It also resolves a small number of other issues arising from the UK’s exit from the EU.

Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay signed the agreement on behalf of the UK, alongside representatives of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Mr Barclay yesterday said:

“This agreement underlines the importance of our relationships with our close friends and allies in the EEA EFTA states.

“It will protect the rights of citizens and provide certainty to business as the UK leaves the EU, ensuring an orderly withdrawal and smooth transition as we put in place new arrangements for our future relationship with the EEA EFTA States.”

This agreement was first announced and published in draft on 20 December 2018 and yesterday (28 January 2020) marked the formal signing.

Further information:

EEA EFTA Separation Agreement and Explainer

Lugano Convention Statement

Transition period

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