Independence: what you need to know
Information about Scotland's future.
International
This government believes membership of the EU is central to Scotland’s economic, social and political future. Under this Scottish Government’s plans, Scotland would seek to re-join the EU as soon as possible after independence.
An independent Scotland would be able to make its own decisions about working with other countries around the world, focusing on peace, fairness, and helping solve global problems.
EU
Independence gives Scotland the chance to join the EU, regaining what has been lost because of Brexit and advancing Scotland's interests directly in the EU.
People in Scotland would benefit from EU membership:
Freedom of movement
All Scottish citizens in Scotland would regain the right to live, work, study and travel across the EU, as well as in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
Students could study abroad through the Erasmus+ programme, widening education and job opportunities. If you want to work abroad you would be able to move freely without barriers like visa and custom requirements.
Rejoining the EU would reduce the problems people travelling abroad can face: you would be able to cross EU borders quicker, have equal access to healthcare while travelling in the EU and have access to support through consular services.
Moving between Scotland, UK and Ireland
People in Scotland could continue to live, work and travel freely within the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man as part of an arrangement called the Common Travel Area.
All British and Irish citizens would keep their rights to live, work and move freely in Scotland.
Free trade and business
EU membership would provide opportunities for Scotland’s economy to grow.
Scottish businesses would regain the right to trade freely in the EU and barriers to trade with the EU would be lifted. All of us would benefit from the EU’s negotiating strength, with more than 40 trade agreements in place with over 70 countries.
Scotland would have unrestricted access to the EU market and freedom of movement, and access to EU programmes which would provide an important source of funding, projects and collaboration.
Making a positive contribution
As an independent country, Scotland would be able to develop its own foreign policy and choose how best to work with allies, responding to world events and our changing world in ways that reflect Scotland’s interests.
Scottish offices around the world
An independent Scotland would have offices in other countries (a diplomatic network) to:
- help Scottish people when they’re abroad if they need emergency help
- show the world what Scotland has to offer for business, culture and investment
- strengthen international relationships
Joining International groups
Scotland would work with other countries to help address global challenges.
As a member of multilateral institutions such as NATO and United Nations, as well as the EU, an independent Scotland would have a role in influencing global change as well as simply responding to it.
An independent Scotland would give 0.7% of its income to help poorer countries, meeting the UN target.
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