London and Brussels have agreed to hold the annual UK-EU leaders’ summit on 20 November 2026 in Brussels. The date was confirmed on Monday, 12 October, by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in a statement to the House of Commons.
The summit will be the second annual leaders’ meeting under the strategic partnership established after Brexit. The first took place in May 2025 under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The meeting originally scheduled for July 2026 was postponed following Starmer’s resignation and Burnham’s appointment as Prime Minister in July.
At the summit the two sides intend to sign agreements on agri-food trade, linking emissions trading systems, and youth mobility. They will also discuss deeper cooperation in energy, security, migration and growth.
Burnham said the priority is a successful outcome at the summit, after which a “calm, clear-eyed and rational” dialogue should begin on the long-term options for the relationship. He stressed that refusing closer partnership would be a “serious dereliction of duty” and that “sticking with the status quo is not good enough for Britain.” He added that the British public will remain “the boss” at every stage and that public opinion supports a pragmatic approach. Burnham has previously said Brexit “has done more harm than good” and has not ruled out options including rejoining the EU, the single market or the customs union.
On the EU side, the date was confirmed by European Council President António Costa. He described the EU and the United Kingdom as “like-minded partners, united by common values and shared interests,” noting that their security and prosperity are closely intertwined and that a strong partnership is therefore essential. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will also attend the summit.
The meeting is seen as a stage in the post-Brexit “reset,” with an emphasis on practical benefits for the economy and security.
