Statement from the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK on Britain’s exit from the European Union

25 December 2020

The United Kingdom officially left the European Union on 31 January 2020, and entered into a transition period which ends on 31 December 2020. Intense negotiations over the future relationship have been ongoing throughout the year. Yesterday, the parties reached a long-awaited agreement, meaning that businesses must now digest the agreement and consider what it means for their operations and trading across the border with less than a week’s notice to prepare.

Sweden and the United Kingdom have a long-standing history of trade and friendship and signed a treaty of commerce and friendship already back in 1654. Swedish businesses have been present in the United Kingdom for centuries and have contributed to the UK economy, as have British businesses in Sweden. Today, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce represents some 400 businesses, and Swedish companies and investments create over 100,000 job opportunities across the breadth of the country, from Penzance to Inverness.

The Swedish Chamber of Commerce has always respected the decision made by the people of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. It is a matter for the British people. As representatives of Swedish business and industry in the UK, we hope to continue building on our very close relationship in the future.

Since the start of the exit negotiation process and Article 50, we have encouraged our members to plan for all possible scenarios. We have encouraged businesses to consider weaknesses and vulnerabilities in their supply chains, and any other exposure they may need to consider. We have hosted regular meet-ups across all sectors, offering the opportunity to raise any particular concerns with experts and to share experiences in planning and preparation.

Now, we urge our members to assess what the new trade agreement will mean for their businesses. The UK government has issued information and guidelines for businesses and residents to prepare for the transition, and how EU based businesses are affected from 1 January 2021. The government also organises online events to help you understand the UK border requirements if you are a trader in the EU. New immigration rules will also be coming into force.

We will continue supporting Swedish business throughout this process, and alongside our partners and friends in Team Sweden, offer help where needed.

Jan Olsson, Chairman
and
Peter Sandberg, CEO

On behalf of
The Council of The Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the United Kingdom

Business preparation

Businesses need to assess their exposure and any potential impact of the new agreement. Please find useful information, guidelines, and upcoming events in the links below.

New rules for businesses and citizens from 1 January 2021
Prepare your business for January 2021 if you are based in the EU
Webinars for EU-based organisations that trade with the UK

Information for Swedish/EU citizens

EU citizens need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme in order to continue living, working or studying in the UK. We urge you to visit the UK government’s website to check what you need to do to stay in the UK and apply to the Settlement Scheme, if you already haven’t done so.

Keep updated on international travel guidance

Due to the identification of a new variant of the coronavirus, new restrictions may apply to international travel because of domestic restrictions. For updated travel guidance, please visit the UK government's and the Embassy of Sweden's websites respectively.