Great Britain also severed economic ties with the European Union last night, completely ending a partnership of 48 years.
After the political exit from the Union on January 31, 2020, Great Britain left the EU single market and the customs union last night at 23.00:XNUMX London time, and at midnight Central European time, which enable freer movement of people, goods and services between members.
Leaving the EU is the biggest economic change the UK has faced since the end of the Second World War.
As a result of the breakup, the EU becomes smaller, and Great Britain becomes freer, but also more isolated in a turbulent world, according to the Associated Press.
Under the post-Brexit trade deal agreed on December 24, the UK and the 27 EU members can continue to buy and sell goods without tariffs or quotas from January 1.
The agreement brought new restrictions, but for Brexiteers it means confirmation of independence from the EU.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, one of the leading proponents of Brexit, said the split was a "fantastic moment" for his country.
"We have our freedom in our hands and now it's up to us to make the most of it," Johnson said last night in his New Year's message.
The definitive split followed a so-called transition period of 11 months, during which the UK remained in the economic structures of the Union while London and Brussels engaged in grueling and tense negotiations on a trade deal, struck at the last minute to avoid border chaos and trade disruptions. .
British officials insist that the new border systems are "ready to go", but also warn that there will be "some disruption" in the coming days and weeks.
To reduce the risk of delays, the UK will gradually introduce new customs procedures for EU products by July 2021.
Some customs procedures have already come into force tonight, and they relate to the import of alcohol, tobacco, chemicals and controlled psychoactive substances, according to the BBC.
Among other things, from midnight there is no longer complete freedom of movement between the EU and Great Britain.
UK citizens wishing to spend more than 90 days in any six-month period will need a visa in most EU countries from tonight.
Tourists will not need visas for short trips.
People returning to the UK from the EU can bring up to 42 liters of beer, 18 liters of wine and 200 cigarettes tax-free.
EU nationals wishing to move to the UK, with the exception of the Irish, will face the same immigration system as elsewhere in the world.
British police have lost direct access to EU-wide databases of criminal records, fingerprints and wanted persons.
Traders from England, Scotland and Wales will have to waste more time on paperwork when doing business with EU members, adds the BBC.
The British decided to leave the EU in a referendum in June 2016.
52 percent of voters were in favor of leaving, and 48 percent were against it.
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