The 10 key questions
Straight answers to the questions people ask most about independence, including the difficult ones. Each links to a full topic page with sources.
1. Can Scotland hold an independence referendum now?
Not without the UK Parliament's agreement, following the 2022 Supreme Court ruling. The Scottish Parliament asked for that agreement in May 2026 and the UK Government declined.
2. What currency would an independent Scotland use?
The Scottish Government proposes keeping the pound at first, then moving to a Scottish pound once certain conditions are met. No date has been set.
3. How big is Scotland's deficit?
Official GERS figures estimate a notional deficit of 10.9% of GDP in 2025-26, compared with 4.2% for the UK. Analysts disagree about what this means for an independent Scotland.
4. Would Scotland be in the EU?
The Scottish Government says it would apply to re-join as soon as possible. Membership would need the agreement of every EU member state, and no timetable has been set.
5. Would there be a border with England?
The Scottish Government says Scotland would stay in the Common Travel Area, so people could keep travelling freely. Arrangements for goods are one of the open questions.
6. What would happen to my pension?
The State Pension is currently paid by the UK Government. The Scottish Government's social security paper (December 2023) said its pension proposals would come in a later paper.
7. Would I lose my British passport?
The Scottish Government proposes allowing dual Scottish and British citizenship, and says nobody would have to hold a Scottish passport. Whether you keep British citizenship would also depend on UK law.
8. What would happen to the NHS?
Health is already run by the Scottish Government. It proposes protecting the NHS in an interim constitution.
9. What about defence and Trident?
The Scottish Government proposes joining NATO and removing nuclear weapons from Scotland as safely and quickly as possible. How those two aims would fit together is debated.
10. What do people in Scotland think?
Recent polling shows opinion roughly evenly split.