Brexit's messy legacy: UK art market still tangled in EU rules ten years on
A decade following the Brexit referendum, the UK art market continues to grapple with lingering EU regulations and emerging challenges. The Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (2018) has been retained by the UK, despite no requirement to do so, placing a strain on smaller entities. The GDPR from 2016 remains in effect, with the 2025 Data (Use and Access) Act set to amend it for the UK. The Artist Resale Right, established in 2006, persists, supported by a royalty cap to avert crises. Copyright now lasts for the life of the creator plus 70 years, as per the 1993 Directive. Meanwhile, repealed regulations include the Directive on the Return of Cultural Goods and the Directive on Orphan Works. Northern Ireland is still governed by the EU Regulation on Cultural Goods, while the UK has not adopted post-2016 EU initiatives, resulting in a lack of a clear policy framework.
Key facts
- Tenth anniversary of Brexit referendum in June 2026.
- UK retained EU anti-money laundering regulations (Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive, 2018) despite no legal requirement.
- GDPR from 2016 still applies, tailored by the 2025 Data (Use and Access) Act.
- Artist Resale Right kept; introduced in 2006 with a royalty cap.
- Copyright extended to life plus 70 years under 1993 Copyright Duration Directive; works by Picasso and Barbara Hepworth still protected.
- Directive on the Return of Cultural Goods (1993) repealed but principles in EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
- Directive on Orphan Works repealed; UK has its own licensing system.
- EU Regulations on the Export of Cultural Goods (1992) repealed; UK had its own national export rules.
- EU Regulation on Introduction and Import of Cultural Goods applies to Northern Ireland via Windsor Framework; Arts Council England enforces it for GB-NI trade.
- UK has not adopted the Digital Single Market Directive or the 2024 EU AI Act.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Arts Council England
- European Union
- UK Government
Locations
- United Kingdom
- Northern Ireland
- Great Britain
- European Union