An agreement between the United Kingdom and the EU could alleviate Brexit costs

1. Fewer certificates and controls to export food to the United Kingdom
2. The United Kingdom maintains its attractiveness despite the costs of Brexit
3. Transporters and logistics operators could also benefit
4. A new way to hire talent and work between both markets
5. Savings will depend on when the agreement comes into force

The United Kingdom remains one of the main markets for SMEs Spanish outside the European Union. In fact, according to Icex, exports of goods to the British country will reach 25 billion euros in 2025, 24% more than in 2016, when the Brexit referendum was held.

However, commercial growth has not eliminated the difficulties faced especially by small businesses to sell on the other side of the English Channel.

Thus, the greater administrative and documentary burden continues to be one of the main obstacles. Because each shipment may require certificates, health controls, inspections and additional logistical planning that increases costs and especially complicates the transport of perishable goods.

Now, a new draft agreement between London and Brussels could reduce a good part of those obstacles. The proposal focuses on the trade of food, animals and plants, although the negotiations also contemplate new avenues of temporary mobility for young people and greater economic cooperation.

Fewer certificates and controls to export food to the United Kingdom

The main change for Spanish companies would come through the so-called future sanitary and phytosanitary agreement (SPS). The objective is to establish a common framework that makes it possible to reduce border controls and eliminate a good part of the certificates that are currently required to trade agri-food products.

Among the proposed measures is withdrawing the obligation to present export health certificates and phytosanitary certificates, in addition to reducing inspections, documentary controls, sampling costs and certain port fees. Simplifications are also contemplated for organic products.

The cost of these procedures allows us to understand the economic dimension of the proposal. The British Government has documented, for agri-food export operations from the United Kingdom to the EU, health certificates that can cost up to 200 pounds, phytosanitary inspections from 127.6 pounds and organic certificates with an average cost of 35 pounds. For some products, analysis and sampling can exceed 1,000 pounds per shipment.

These amounts are not a tariff directly applicable to Spanish exports, but they show the cost that health and documentary controls can reach in commerce between both markets. For an SME that makes frequent shipments, accumulating these expenses can significantly reduce the margin of each operation.

Thus, the change could benefit Spanish wineries, oil producers, meat companies, food manufacturers, farmers and distributors who sell in the British market. For smaller businesses, which have fewer resources to manage international procedures, reducing these obligations would be an opportunity to recover margin and compete in better conditions.

Specifically, the impact could be especially relevant for those who work with perishable goods. Delays and additional procedures make it difficult to transport food with a reduced shelf life, so simplifying controls would allow shipments to be better organized and reduce the risk of incidents at the border.

The United Kingdom maintains its attractiveness despite the costs of Brexit

The new negotiations come at a time when The British market retains an important weight for Spanish companies. Exports of goods have increased by 24% since 2016 and the United Kingdom remains Spain’s first non-EU destination, even ahead of the United States.

Furthermore, the number of Spanish companies that export on a recurring basis has grown by 15%, which reflects the ability of the business fabric to adapt to new commercial conditions.

Market interest is also reflected in the general evolution of Spanish foreign trade. Spain’s goods exports reached 387,092 million euros in 2025, again according to Icex.

For their part, agri-food and fishing sales totaled 78,044 million, 2.9% more than the previous year. These are global figures, but they show the weight of activities that could be favored by a reduction in sanitary and phytosanitary barriers.

In addition, Spain reached 46,230 regular exporters in 2025, 10.4% more than five years before. The evolution reflects that more and more companies maintain a continued export activity, although it does not eliminate the specific difficulties of operating in the United Kingdom since its departure from the EU.

And, as always happens, the difference between a large company and an SME can be considerable. While companies with international structures can have specialized departments and their own logistics operators, small businesses have more difficulties absorbing the cost of each certificate, inspection or incident.

Therefore, one reduction of procedures It could make it easier for more self-employed workers and SMEs to maintain or expand their sales in the United Kingdom, especially in activities where margins are tight and administrative costs have a significant weight.

Transporters and logistics operators could also benefit

Although the agreement focuses on sanitary and phytosanitary controls, its effects could extend to the transport and logistics companies who work with merchandise affected by these requirements.

The elimination of certain certificates and inspections would reduce procedures that currently condition the preparation of shipments and border crossing times. This, in turn, could facilitate route planning, improve the conservation of perishable products and reduce incidents for transporters, distributors and operators that manage agri-food exports.

However, the proposal does not mean eliminating all the procedures derived from Brexit. The customs declarations and other commercial obligations will continue to be necessary.

A new way to hire talent and work between both markets

The negotiation package also includes a possible youth mobility program to facilitate temporary stays between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Thus, the initiative would allow young Europeans and British people to live, work or study for a limited period in the other territory, although aspects such as the final ages, the number of participants and the access conditions have yet to be specified.

For Spanish companies, this measure could open nnew possibilities for collaboration and contracting, especially in sectors that need international profiles. It is the case of the startups, technology companies and businesses linked to professional services, which could find it easier to incorporate British talent or facilitate temporary work experiences for Spanish workers.

Savings will depend on when the agreement comes into force

Despite the potential of the measures, companies will still have to wait to know their definitive scope. The sanitary and phytosanitary draft continues subject to negotiation and to subsequent approval procedures. The British Government’s forecast is that the agreement can come into force in mid-2027, although the schedule will depend on the result of the talks.

In addition, the United Kingdom would have to maintain dynamic alignment with European standards in the areas included in the agreement. This means adapt its regulations to the changes approved in the EU in matters such as food safety, animal and plant health or organic products.

For Spanish self-employed workers and SMEs, the possible reduction in certificates, inspections and associated costs would provide relief in a commercial relationship that continues to offer opportunities, but that requires more resources than before Brexit.