Our Place in Europe

As a result of Brexit, Scotland has lost single market membership which affords members four freedoms: the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital.

The Scottish Government's current position is that following a vote in favour of independence, we will begin the process of joining the EU. While there is unlikely to be much opposition within the member states to such a move, negotiations surrounding Scotland's entry may take years.

There is another route that Scotland could take that would certainly mean quicker entry to the European community and the four main freedoms this comes with, and that's the European Free Trade Association.

It is ALBA’s position that an independent Scotland should join the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as an immediate priority. This will allow Scotland to gain access to the European Economic Area (EEA) and effective free trade with the EU, thus mitigating the negative effects of Brexit.

EFTA membership could be negotiated within weeks, as opposed to years, and could be negotiated in parallel with independence negotiations with the UK. On becoming an EFTA member, Scotland could re-join the EEA within a few months. This is important as it would afford Scotland a strong hand in negotiations with the UK Government. We would have a concrete plan and timetable in place that secured our trading relationship with the world’s largest marketplace.

EFTA membership would enable Scotland to negotiate to become a full member of the EU in due course if the people of Scotland so choose whilst enjoying the benefits of free trade, thus placing Scotland in a much stronger negotiating position with the EU for future membership.