LONDON: The United Kingdom has officially left the European Union after 47 years of membership.

Candlelit vigils were held in Scotland, which voted to stay in the EU, while Brexiteers partied in London’s Parliament Square.

The historic moment, which happened at 23:00 GMT, was marked by both celebrations and anti-Brexit protests.

Immediately after that time, the country entered into an 11-month transition period. But what are the seven biggest changes which took effect in the immediate aftermath of Britain’s departure from the EU?

MEPs lose their jobs

The EU currently has 28 member states, all of whom have representatives called MEPs. In total there are 751 MEPs, with 73 of those being the UK’s representatives. Among this group of 73, there are a number of renowned faces, including Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage and Ann Widdecombe.

With the UK’s exit from the EU, these 73 individuals automatically lost their seats in the European Parliament because, at the exact moment of Brexit, the UK leaves all of the EU’s political institutions and agencies.

However, in addition to the UK following EU rules during the transition period, the European Court of Justice will continue to have the final say over legal disputes.

EU culmination will stop

EU Council summits are meetings held by members of the EU throughout the year. The next Special European Council meeting is due to be held on February 20. But if Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to be invited, he will have to be specially invited to join other leaders at EU Council summits in the future.

British ministers will also no longer attend regular EU meetings that decide things such as fishing limits.

Trade talks

The moment the UK left the European Union, the negotiations about the future relationship between the UK and EU began. The countdown to Brexit has been a key discussion point in the news agenda for the past few years since the 2016 Brexit Referendum, but now the talk is expected to concern the future trading relationship between the UK and EU.

Mr Johnson has pledged to wrap up trade negotiations by the end of 2020, although some politicians from the EU have said this is unlikely.

The UK will also be free to begin talks with other countries around the world about setting new rules for the buying and selling of goods and services.

Previously, the UK was banned from holding formal trade negotiations with countries like the US and Australia while it remained an EU member.

Brexiteers have argued this freedom will enable the UK to have the freedom to set its own trade policy will boost the UK’s economy.

UK passports change color

Blue passports which were retired more than 30 years ago will be back in business from the moment of Brexit. The current burgundy design will be replaced by the iconic blue and gold design which was first used in 1921. The new color will be phased in over a number of months, with all new passports issued in blue by the middle of the year.

Existing burgundy passports will continue to be valid.

Brexit coins

A special edition commemorative Brexit coin bearing the date January 31 and the inscripion will begin to enter circulation throughout 2020. However, the Royal Mint said it would put up three coins for sale on Friday. These coins were available in gold, silver and brilliant uncirculated, priced up to £945.

The 1,500 gold Brexit coins will cost £945 each, while the 47,000 silver coins will be £60 each and the brilliant uncirculated 50p coins for £10 each.

The Brexit department will be decommissioned

The Department for Exiting the European Union was shut down as of January 31 at 11pm GMT. The team in that government department have been in charge of handling the negotiations between the UK and EU for the UK’s exit, and making preparations for a No Deal exit.

However, once the UK officially left the UK, the department ceased to exist.

This means current Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay lost his position in Mr Johnson’s cabinet.

Germany will not extradite its citizens to the UK

Now the UK has left the EU, suspected criminals who take refuge in Germany and are requested for extradition to the UK will be denied. Germany’s constitution does not allow its citizens to be extradited unless it’s to another EU country.This means the moment the UK left, the country no longer had this right.

Currently, it is unclear if any other countries will copy Germany’s lead on this, for instance, Slovenia has said the situation is complicated and the European Commission has been unable to provide comment.

The UK Home Office claims the European Arrest Warrant will continue to apply during the transition period, which means Germany will be able to extradite non-German citizens.

However, it adds that if a country’s laws prevent extradition to the UK it “will be expected to take over the trial or sentence of the person concerned.“

(With input from agencies)