EMA Begins Planning for its Move to Amsterdam

The European Medicines Agency agreed on a joint governance structure with the Netherlands, encompassing five work areas in preparation for moving the agency’s headquarters to Amsterdam following the UK’s exit from the European Union.

The agreement covers temporary and permanent premises, staff relocation, financial and legal aspects, and external communications.

At the EMA Management Board’s first meeting since the vote, a delegation from the Dutch government explained how the Vivaldi building, which will become the EMA’s permanent headquarters, will be completed in November 2019.

With the EMA needing to leave London by the end of March 2019, and just 15 months left to prepare, the Dutch government is offering a temporary location for the EMA, from January 2019 or earlier, until the new building is ready.