The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Netherlands have finalized the text of a Seat Agreement which describes how the Agency, its bodies and its employees will be treated by the Dutch Government once they start operating in the Netherlands.

This is an important step in the relocation of EMA from London to Amsterdam as a result of Brexit.The Seat Agreement ensures that EMA can function properly and independently in the Netherlands.

The content of the Seat Agreement is similar to agreements that apply to other EU agencies established in the Netherlands such as Eurojust, Europol and the Galileo Reference Center. The Seat Agreement will enter into force as soon as it is signed by both EMA and the Netherlands. The signing will take place once the legislative process on the relocation of EMA by the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission has been completed.

In order to allow EMA to prepare for a smooth transition of the work of its scientific committees and delegates, the Dutch government and EMA hope that the agreement can be signed as early as possible. As this transition needs to be supported by EMA staff in the Netherlands, a timely signing of the agreement would make sure that EMA staff and their families have clarity on their treatment and can settle in the Netherlands. This is especially important for staff who want to move before the start of the next school year.

The Netherlands and EMA are pleased that they have completed the negotiations on this agreement earlier than anticipated.