If the UK leaves without agreeing a deal the Government will end free movement, and this will happen as soon as practically possible. The Immigration and Social Security (EU Withdrawal) Bill has been introduced to achieve this.
An announcement has confirmed that, if there is no deal, there will be a transition period until the UK’s new skills-based immigration system is introduced at the beginning of 2021. The transition period will be used to put in place arrangements for the new system in 2021 and to provide status under the EU Settlement Scheme to those EEA citizens and their family members who are resident in the UK before exit. Further details are set out in the policy document.