Brexit – What next for the Isle of Man?
This page is designed to provide members of the public an overview of the actions being undertaken by the Isle of Man Government in response to the United Kingdom’s decision to withdraw from the European Union.
In a referendum on 23 June 2016 the people of the United Kingdom and Gibraltar voted by a margin of 52% to 48% to leave the European Union. On 29 March 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50 which formally began the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU. This process is expected to be completed by March 2019.
What is the Isle of Man’s relationship with the EU?
The Isle of Man is not part of the European Union (EU) in its own right, and is not included within the scope of the UK’s membership of the EU. The Isle of Man makes no financial contribution to the European Union nor does it receive any funding from the EU. It is not represented in the European Parliament.
The relationship between the Isle of Man and the EU is set out in Protocol 3 to the UK’s Act of Accession by which the UK became a member of the EU. The Protocol allows the Island to be part of the EU customs area which permits the free movement of manufactured goods and agricultural products in trade between the Island and the Union.
When the United Kingdom leaves the European Union in 2019 the current Protocol 3 arrangement will fall away and a new settlement will have to be negotiated between the Isle of Man, the United Kingdom and the EU.
How is the Isle of Man Government responding to Brexit?
Since the referendum the Isle of Man Government has built on work previously undertaken, in order to set out in more detail what Brexit will mean for the Island. These actions have included:-
- The formation of the Isle of Man Government European Union Advisory Group
- The publication of four reports outlining the implications of Brexit for the Isle of Man.
- Engagement in regular meetings, at political and officer level, with counterparts in the United Kingdom, Brussels and the Channel Islands.
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for further information.
