Brexit

Before the United Kingdom left the European Union, British businesses and organisations had access to a unique legal structure known as the European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG). These groupings enabled firms across different EU member states to collaborate on shared projects while retaining legal independence and operational flexibility.

Following Brexit, the legal landscape changed significantly. EEIGs could no longer be supported under EU law in the UK, prompting the need for a new domestic equivalent. As a result, the UK Economic Interest Grouping (UKEIG) was introduced to ensure continuity for existing EEIGs and to preserve the benefits of cross-organisational cooperation within the UK’s legal framework.

This post explores the key changes that occurred during the transition from EEIG to UKEIG and what they mean for existing and future groupings.

What Was an EEIG?

An EEIG was established under Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2137/85, which came into force in 1989. It allowed two or more entities from different EU Member States to collaborate through a joint legal entity without creating a formal company or partnership. These groupings were commonly used in:

• Research collaborations

• Joint procurement initiatives

• Shared consultancy practices

• Regional development projects

EEIGs were widely praised for their …