Brexit Options | Interactive diagram

Click on the buttons above to explore some Brexit scenarios — follow the Union Jack to see possible destinations

*This arrangement aims to be a stepping stone for Turkey’s full EU membership **Not the same customs union as Turkey’s, with Northern Ireland more aligned with the EU than the rest of the UK

Brexit Options was coded and written by Ray Douglas, a national newspaper journalist. Feedback is welcome — but please bear in mind that this graphic is a simplified overview of a process that is frightfully complex

Email: info@brexitoptions.co.uk

Useful resources
Financial Times // Bloomberg // UK Cabinet Office policy paper

This diagram was based on an InformationisBeautiful.net chart, which was inspired by Bloomberg’s Europe’s Ties That Bind graphic

No Brexit

The UK is currently in the customs union and the European Economic Area, with unfettered access to 500 million people. The pound would likely strengthen if Brexit was called off, but the hot electoral topic over EU immigration would remain an issue for many

*This arrangement aims to be a stepping stone for Turkey’s full EU membership **Not the same customs union as Turkey’s, with Northern Ireland more aligned with the EU than the rest of the UK

Email: info@brexitoptions.co.uk

Useful resources
Financial Times // Bloomberg // UK Cabinet Office policy paper

This diagram was based on an InformationisBeautiful.net chart, which was inspired by Bloomberg’s Europe’s Ties That Bind graphic

Withdrawal agreement // Irish backstop

Includes a 21-month transition period where the UK abides by EU rules and pays into its budget. If a broader deal can’t be struck during this phase, a backstop kicks in. In this scenario Britain’s place within Europe would be akin to “Turkey-minus” (FT). The UK would be part of a bare-bones customs union that ensured goods moved relatively freely between Britain and the EU. Scope for trade deals with other nations would be limited, however free movement of people would end

*This arrangement aims to be a stepping stone for Turkey’s full EU membership **Not the same customs union as Turkey’s, with Northern Ireland more aligned with the EU than the rest of the UK

Email: info@brexitoptions.co.uk

Useful resources
Financial Times // Bloomberg // UK Cabinet Office policy paper

This diagram was based on an InformationisBeautiful.net chart, which was inspired by Bloomberg’s Europe’s Ties That Bind graphic

EEA option // Norway

The UK would be integrated into the single market for most goods and services. Britain would be able to strike free-trade deals with other countries, but it would have to accept the EU’s four freedoms, which includes the free movement of people. EU payments would continue and this deal alone would not solve the Irish border problem

*This arrangement aims to be a stepping stone for Turkey’s full EU membership **Not the same customs union as Turkey’s, with Northern Ireland more aligned with the EU than the rest of the UK

Email: info@brexitoptions.co.uk

Useful resources
Financial Times // Bloomberg // UK Cabinet Office policy paper

This diagram was based on an InformationisBeautiful.net chart, which was inspired by Bloomberg’s Europe’s Ties That Bind graphic

EFTA option // Switzerland

A bilateral deal with the EU would give the UK privileged access to the single market for goods but not services. The UK would again have to accept the EU’s free movement of people and contribute to the EU budget for specific schemes. But it’s thought that the EU isn’t keen on replicating the complex Swiss arrangement

*This arrangement aims to be a stepping stone for Turkey’s full EU membership **Not the same customs union as Turkey’s, with Northern Ireland more aligned with the EU than the rest of the UK

Email: info@brexitoptions.co.uk

Useful resources
Financial Times // Bloomberg // UK Cabinet Office policy paper

This diagram was based on an InformationisBeautiful.net chart, which was inspired by Bloomberg’s Europe’s Ties That Bind graphic

Customs union option // Turkey

The UK would be able to export non-agricultural goods (but not services) to the EU tariff free and wouldn’t have to accept the free movement of people. The catch? Britain’s ability to strike trade deals with other countries would be curbed significantly. But this option would go some way to averting a hard border between Northern Ireland and its southern neighbour

*This arrangement aims to be a stepping stone for Turkey’s full EU membership **Not the same customs union as Turkey’s, with Northern Ireland more aligned with the EU than the rest of the UK

Email: info@brexitoptions.co.uk

Useful resources
Financial Times // Bloomberg // UK Cabinet Office policy paper

This diagram was based on an InformationisBeautiful.net chart, which was inspired by Bloomberg’s Europe’s Ties That Bind graphic

Free-trade deal // Canada

Such an agreement would preserve tariff-free access for most goods and the UK wouldn’t have to accept the free movement of people, but trade wouldn’t be frictionless, with companies having to comply with custom controls and rules-of-origin checks — and services wouldn’t necessarily be included in this deal. This option is favoured by the EU

*This arrangement aims to be a stepping stone for Turkey’s full EU membership **Not the same customs union as Turkey’s, with Northern Ireland more aligned with the EU than the rest of the UK

Email: info@brexitoptions.co.uk

Useful resources
Financial Times // Bloomberg // UK Cabinet Office policy paper

This diagram was based on an InformationisBeautiful.net chart, which was inspired by Bloomberg’s Europe’s Ties That Bind graphic

World Trade Organization option

If no deal was struck, the UK would trade with the EU under WTO rules. Britain wouldn’t have to accept the free movement of people or contribute to the EU’s coffers. But a “cliff edge” would come with many headaches — for example, there would be a hard border in Ireland and the UK would have to accept EU tariffs on goods exported to the single market

*This arrangement aims to be a stepping stone for Turkey’s full EU membership **Not the same customs union as Turkey’s, with Northern Ireland more aligned with the EU than the rest of the UK

Email: info@brexitoptions.co.uk

Useful resources
Financial Times // Bloomberg // UK Cabinet Office policy paper

This diagram was based on an InformationisBeautiful.net chart, which was inspired by Bloomberg’s Europe’s Ties That Bind graphic