The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has signed a lease agreement for a newly built facility in Zuidas, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The EMA moved its headquarters from London to Amsterdam, as of March 2019 as a result of the UK’s plan to withdraw from the European Union (i.e., Brexit) and has since been operating from temporary premises in Amsterdam Sloterdijk, The Netherlands.

Under its lease agreement, technical equipment will be installed following information technology configuration and testing. It is expected that the staff can move into new offices and workspaces in January 2020. The EMA says normal operations will continue virtually throughout this period.

From December 9, 2019 to January 10 2020, most EMA staff will work remotely, to allow equipment and furniture to be moved to the final building. From December 23 to January 3, the agency will be closed for the holiday break. Staff will gradually move into the final premises as of January 13, 2020.

The move into the new EMA building will mark the last step of the agency’s relocation to The Netherlands. The EMA previously announced that the EU member states decided to relocate the agency to the Netherlands in light of Brexit preparation. The agency began working with the Dutch authorities to prepare for the move and took up its temporary operations in Amsterdam by March 30, 2019, the original expected withdrawal date by the UK.

Source: European Medicines Agency