Britain left the EU on 31 January. Future agreements on, for example, trade, security and various exchanges will now be negotiated for a transition period that ends 31 December 2020. During this period, the UK retains its rights and obligations as an EU member.
The transition period can be extended for two years if both sides so desire. However, the extension can only take place once, and in that case a decision must be made before 1 July 2020. In the event of an extension, the UK would continue to pay a certain amount to the EU budget for prolonged access to the internal market and other benefits. Since Prime Minister Boris Johnson so far has rejected this scenario, an extension of the negotiations after the turn of the year is not likely.
Lingering mobility issues
A question that the parties have yet to agree on is whether British citizens who now live in an EU country should be able to move to another EU country under the same conditions as today. When the transition period expires at the end of 2020, the free movement of EU citizens in the UK is expected to cease.
In contact with the Swedish Migration Board, it has been announced that British citizens who are either here in Sweden or plan to come here before 31 December 2020, need not do anything. Since the government has not yet decided on which transitional rules will apply after that, there are no further recommendations yet.
British researchers and EU funds after 2020
As for British researchers, they will continue to be able to participate in the EU framework program after the turn of the year, but they will not be able to receive any funding if they are active in the UK. If, on the other hand, they conduct their research at Umeå University (or another European organization) they will be able to apply for and be granted funding.
These conditions may change if the parties reach an agreement on something else before the end of December.