The new UK-EU deal at a glance

May 19, 2025 - 12:00
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The new UK-EU deal at a glance

The new UK-EU deal at a glance

Sam FrancisPolitical reporter
EPA

The UK and the EU have reached a new deal setting out post-Brexit relations on areas including fishing rights, trade and defence.

The full details will be set out later.

But here's a look at what we know is in the deal.

Fishing

  • A new deal will keep the current status quo giving EU boats continued access to UK waters until 2038
  • The 2020 Brexit deal, which saw the UK regain 25% EU fishing quotas, was due to run out next year
  • The UK will continue to agree yearly quotas with the EU and Norway and issue licences to control who fishes in its waters
  • Later, the government is due to unveil a £360m "fishing and coastal growth fund" to invest in coastal communities

Farming exports

  • In return for extending current fishing rules, the UK has secured a deal to reduce checks on food exports to the EU
  • Officials will drop some routine border checks on animal and plant shipments to and from the EU
  • The new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement means the UK can sell raw burgers and sausages back into the EU for the first time since Brexit

Security

  • A formal UK-EU defence and security pact has been established
  • Both sides have been pushing for closer cooperation and information-sharing since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Donald Trump re-entered the White House
  • The government says the agreement "paves the way" for UK-based arms firms to access the Security Action for Europe (Safe) - a £150bn EU fund providing loans for defence projects

Passport e-gates

  • British holidaymakers will be able to use e-gates at more European airports
  • When Brexit ended freedom of movement, it changed the rules for people travelling to European countries. Now, British passport holders can't use "EU/EEA/CH" lanes at EU border crossings
  • A new passport system will make it easier for UK pets to travel, ending the need for repeat vet certificates

Carbon tax

  • The UK and EU will link their carbon markets to avoid taxes on carbon-intensive goods like steel and cement travelling between the UK and EU
  • The UK launched its own carbon system after exiting the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
  • The government says it will save £800m in taxes and shield British steel from EU tariffs, thanks to a UK-only deal worth £25m a year

Still up for negotiation

  • The BBC understands some key aspects are still subject to further negotiation – such as the idea of a youth mobility scheme
  • The government say any "youth experience schemes" would be "capped and time-limited" like deals Britain has with Australia and New Zealand
  • What finally makes it into this package will set the agenda for the next set of post-Brexit negotiations early next year.

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