Skip to content

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Brexit day: Britain officially leaves the EU at 23:00 GMT

The UK is scheduled to officially bail out of the European Union at 23:00 (GMT) on Friday, bringing an end to 47 years of membership, though the path ahead for Britain is unclear as it enters a transition period.

Video poster image

Brexit day has finally arrived, with the UK scheduled to officially leave the European Union (EU) on Friday at 23:00 (GMT).

An hour prior, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will release a video message where he will label Brexit a ‘new dawn’ that ends more than three years of political upheaval, though the path ahead remains unclear as the UK enters a transitionary period.

‘This is the moment when the dawn breaks and the curtain goes up on a new act,’ Prime Minister Boris Johnson will say in a television address on Friday evening. ‘This is the dawn of a new era.’

Britain enters transitionary period with EU

On Friday, Brexiteers and pro-EU campaigners will both celebrate and mourn Britain’s departure from the EU.

However, very little will change as the clock strike 23:00 (GMT), with the UK entering a ‘transition period’ that will see most EU law remain in force – including the free movement of people.

The transition period will remain in place until December, with the UK government and EU leaders hoping to reach a permanent free trade agreement by then as well as ironing out key aspects of their post-Brexit relationship.

Path ahead remains unclear for the UK and EU

It is still unclear how Brexit will pan out for both the UK and the EU, with the bloc deprived of around 15% of its economy and the financial hub of London.

Meanwhile, the fate of UK economy hangs in the balance with the full impact of Brexit likely to take time before being fully realised.

Brexiteers are hoping that an independent Britain will have the political and economic freedom to propel the country forward, while pro-EU supporters fear the UK economy will stagnant and be forced to negotiate a new trade deal with the US that will threaten the future of the NHS.

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

Trading around Brexit

Find out how Britain’s EU exit continues to affect traders, and discover:

  • How you can trade on Brexit
  • The markets you should be watching
  • Brexit trading strategies for key assets

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Equities
  • Indices
  • Forex
  • Commodities


Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All share prices are delayed by at least 15 minutes.

Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.

Plan your trading week

Get the week’s market-moving news sent directly to your inbox every Sunday. The Week Ahead gives you a full calendar of upcoming economic events, as well as commentary from our expert analysts on the key markets to watch.


For more info on how we might use your data, see our privacy notice and access policy and privacy webpage.

You might be interested in…

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of spread betting and CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.