UK Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove has warned the country's businesses and travellers will face disruption after Brexit's 11-month transition period ends on 31 December.
Referring to a recently concluded EU-UK post-Brexit deal, Gove stressed that Britain has secured "a fantastic free trade agreement", but that with "big change" comes both "challenge and opportunity".
The minister referred to the "nature" of London and Brussels' "new relationship outside the single market and customs union".
Such a relationship means there are "practical and procedural changes that businesses and citizens need to get ready for, and time to make these final preparations is very short", according to Gove.
"We know that there will be some disruption as we adjust to new ways of doing business with the EU, so it is vital that we all take the necessary action now", he pointed out.
The statement came after the 1,250-page "Draft EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement", was published by both sides on 26 December following the successful completion of the parties' post-Brexit negotiations on a bilateral trade deal on Thursday.
British nationals will no longer be able to freely live, work, study, or open businesses in the EU. Visas will also have to be secured for stays in the bloc of more than 90 days, and every British traveller should make sure their passport has enough validity before starting their journey.
The deal additionally ends the practice of all UK travellers being able to rely on free healthcare with their European Health Insurance Card, and to escape roaming charges thanks to a ban on the fees across the EU.
