Brexit - the end of the transition period and a new relationship with the European Union
The UK and EU concluded a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) in December 2020, which sets out the terms of our future relationship. Terms are effective now.
Detailed updates on the changes that result for the screen sectors are being maintained by the BFI here, including information on:
- Mobility (short-term movement of people)
- Subsidy (State Aid)
- Data transfers
- Intellectual property
- European co-production
- Audiovisual services
- 'European works'
- Temporary movement of goods, including filming equipment, and
- Haulage
- Participation in European Programmes (including Creative Europe/the UK's pilot Global Film Fund).
The UK’s Creative Sector Lottery and Tax Reliefs are not affected by Brexit – this includes those available for film, high-end television (HETV), animation television, children’s television and video games. Content qualifies for the applicable Creative Sector Tax Relief if it passes the UK’s relevant cultural test. Creative sector cultural tests continue to recognise EEA content and personnel.
Changes will be required if UK personnel are to qualify for incentives in some EU Member States, varying on a territory-by-territory basis. This is because UK personnel no longer have EEA status – and are therefore not able to qualify for some other Member States’ cultural tests or qualify for tax relief under incentive schemes in some Member States.
The BFI continues to be able to issue European Certificates of Nationality.
All co-production agreements including the bi-lateral co-production treaties (with Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Israel, Jamaica, Morocco, New Zealand, Occupied Palestinian Territories and South Africa) and the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production remain in place and fully effective after Brexit.
Wales remains fully committed to collaborating and co-producing with our European and wider-international colleagues including, for example, co-funding feature films, sharing and developing research, training and policy initiatives or advancing innovation in the sector.
Ffilm Cymru's work has always heavily featured international partnership and we are continuing that commitment, including our active participation within the network of European film funders, Cineregio, whilst the UK remains a member of the European Film Agency Directors (EFAD) via the BFI.
If you have additional queries or concerns, please email brexitadvice@bfi.org.uk
UK Government also hosts a page setting out information for those working in the broader creative industries from January 2021.
Disclaimer: This notice and the BFI Q&A contains general information. Any legal information is not advice and should not be treated as such. If you have any questions about any legal or finance matter contained in this notice or BFI Q&A, you should consult your own lawyer or finance professional."