Article 50

European Union - Brexit.

'Article 50' deals with the procedure and timetable for a member state - for example the UK - to leave the European Union (EU).

Article 50 is part of the Lisbon Treaty of 2007.

It outlines a two-year timetable for negotiations, once a member state has notified its intention to withdraw from the EU.

The notification is often described as 'triggering' Article 50.

The UK formally triggered Article 50 on 29 March 2017, thereby originally establishing 29 March 2019 as the original timing of the UK's exit from the EU, on the assumption of two years' negotiation and ratification.

On 14 March 2019 the UK parliament voted to seek an extension to this timing.

From 21 March 2019, following a request from the UK and a decision of the EU 27, potential Brexit Days included 12 April and 22 May 2019.

On 31 March 2019 the UK parliament rejected the UK government's negotiated Brexit deal for a third time, leaving 12 April 2019 as the more likely prevailing future - and currently specified - Brexit Day, although 22 May 2019 is still theoretically possible.

Any deal - between the EU and the member state leaving the EU - must be approved by a qualified majority of EU member states, and can be vetoed by the European Parliament.

See also

• Brexit
• Brexit Day
• EU 27
• European Parliament
• European Union
• Hard Brexit
• No Brexit
• No Deal
• Soft Brexit
• United Kingdom