Back to the Future? Lessons of Differentiated Integration from the EFTA Countries for the UK’s Future Relations with the EU

Abstract

The decision of the United Kingdom (UK) to withdraw from the European Union (EU) raises the question of how to shape their post-Brexit relations. The EU has developed various forms of external differentiated integration with neighbouring countries, whereby the members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) enjoy the most far-reaching access to the internal market. This article discusses the conditions under which the UK could join EFTA, the EFTA countries’ European Economic Area with the EU, or a similar arrangement. In light of the UK’s desire to conduct an independent trade policy, to contain immigration, and to take back control of laws, lessons are drawn from EFTA’s experience for trade, the free movement of persons, and institutional issues.

Keywords

• Brexit
• differentiated integration
• European Economic Area (EEA)
• European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
• single market
• free movement of persons