The EU operates a single market which allows free movement of goods, capital, services and people between member states.
Why is Britain leaving the EU?
British voters opted to leave the EU following a referendum on the issue on June 23, 2016. This is now commonly referred to as Brexit. The question we were asked at the ballot box was: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”
Has Britain left the EU yet?
No, not yet. All that's happened is that Article 50 has been triggered. Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon is the clause that gives any EU member the right to quit unilaterally and it outlines the procedure for doing so.
How long will it take to leave?
Triggering Article 50 formally notifies intention to withdraw from the EU. It signals that start of the clock and gives the leaving country 24 months to negotiate an exit deal.
Once set in motion, it cannot be stopped except by unanimous consent of all member states. During this two-year period, the UK must continue to abide by EU laws and treaties, but it cannot take part in any decision-making.
Has Britain left the EU? (Almost) Every single Brexit question answered
Brexit - got a question? We've answered them all hereCREDIT: ROSEMARY ROBERTS/ALAMY
The EU operates a single market which allows free movement of goods, capital, services and people between member states.
Why is Britain leaving the EU?
British voters opted to leave the EU following a referendum on the issue on June 23, 2016. This is now commonly referred to as Brexit. The question we were asked at the ballot box was: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”
Has Britain left the EU yet?
No, not yet. All that's happened is that Article 50 has been triggered. Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon is the clause that gives any EU member the right to quit unilaterally and it outlines the procedure for doing so.
How long will it take to leave?
Triggering Article 50 formally notifies intention to withdraw from the EU. It signals that start of the clock and gives the leaving country 24 months to negotiate an exit deal.
Once set in motion, it cannot be stopped except by unanimous consent of all member states. During this two-year period, the UK must continue to abide by EU laws and treaties, but it cannot take part in any decision-making.
Watch | What is Article 50? In 60 seconds
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Could leaving the EU take longer than two years?
Yes, many people believe it could take longer than two years. The timescale can be extended, but only by the unanimous consent of the European Council. So every other member state's government would have to agree.
The terms of exit must also be negotiated between Britain’s 27 counterparts and each will have a veto over the conditions. It will also be subject to ratification in national parliaments, meaning, for example, that Belgian MPs could stymie the entire process.
What's the earliest date we will leave?
For months, Theresa May has insisted that Article 50 will be triggered “no later that the end of March 2017". It means that the UK will quit the EU by March 31, 2019 at the latest, ahead of the European Parliament elections in May of that year.
Is the decision irrevocable?
The Government argues that the decision to trigger Article 50 is irreversible because former prime minster David Cameron promised to act on the will of voters and respect the outcome of the referendum.
Will the UK ever be able to rejoin?
Technically, yes. Earlier this month, Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission, said he hopes "the day will come when the British re-enter the boat". The UK would have to apply for membership, which can take years, although lawyers believe that the process could be fast-tracked.
In the current political climate, however, it is very unlikely. Mrs May's mantra of "Brexit means Brexit" has been assumed by the entire Government.
What will happen to the EU after Britain leaves?
Britain’s departure leaves a significant hole in the EU which is set to lose the world’s fifth largest economy, a nuclear power and a member of the UN Security Council.
Much will depend on the kind of relationship that Britain establishes with the EU after Brexit. Mrs May has signalled that she wants to use the UK's military power and diplomatic heft as a way of the country demonstrating that it is committed to maintaining security "in the neighbourhood".
If negotiations turn nasty, and talks break down, it may take some time to build the diplomatic apparatus to allow Britain to contribute to "European" diplomacy from outside the EU.
The result is likely to be less influence for both the EU and the UK in a fracturing global architecture where bilateralism is on the rise and the US is increasingly unwilling to play the world’s policeman.
Do other countries want to leave the EU?
The current polling data in Europe suggests that this is unlikely any time soon, even though a growing number of EU countries, led by the Netherlands, France, Italy and Poland have a significant Eurosceptic political element.
There is much dissatisfaction in Europe about the failure to generate jobs and a better economic future. However, surveys show that, even in countries where demand for a referendum is high, such as Italy and the Netherlands, voters still do not wish to leave the EU for now.
What does "Brexit" stand for?
The term is a commonly-used abbreviation for British Exit from the EU. A "Brexiteer" is a person who backs the UK leaving the European Union, while a "Remainer" would prefer Britain to stay in.
Why did Britain vote for Brexit?
The Leave campaign put controlling migration at the heart of its message, which appealed to voters in both the Conservative heartlands and in working-class Labour areas. Despite internal strife, it was a hugely effective operation, with Boris Johnson playing a leading role.
However, the vote to Leave was as much a sign of the failings of the Remain campaign. David Cameron, the former prime minister, was widely condemned for failing to secure meaningful concessions from Europe before the referendum vote. The Remain campaign's focus on economic risk, described as "Project Fear", also failed to cut through to voters.
There was also widespread criticism of Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, for failing to take a more significant role in the Remain campaign.
