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Brexit talks are set to begin on Monday, nearly a year after the historic vote which saw the UK opt to leave the European Union.

The Governments Brexit secretary David Davis will meet the EUs top negotiator, Michel Barnier, in Brussels for phase one of negotiations.

It is the beginning of a long slog for both Theresa Mays Government and the EU, with the talks expected to last until October 2018 before a deal can be agreed.

Here is everything you need to know and some of the key dates in the 15-month talks.

Negotiations between David Davis and European Commissions negotiator Michel Barnier will begin on Monday, June 19 in Brussels. It is just four days short of being exactly one year to the date of the EU referendum.

Brexit minister David Davis will be in Brussels for the first day of formal negotiations. (AFP/Getty Images)

There were fears the talks could be delayed after the Tories disastrous election results earlier this month which left them busy negotiating with the DUP toform a Government.

But Mrs May confirmed the timetable remains on course and will begin next week.

The first issues likely to be discussed by Mr Davis and Mr Barnier will include the rights of EU citizens in the UK and of Brits living in Europe, as well as the Northern Irish border.

EU Commission negotiator Michel Barnier. (AFP/Getty Images)

Also up for discussion is how big the so-called divorce bill will be. So far this has been estimated at anything from 11 billion up to 100 billion euro, which works out as 88 billion.

The possibility of any trade deal is not expected to be up for discussion just yet. The EU insists that phase one of talks will focus only on the terms of withdrawal, and not on a future trade relationship.

The Queens Speech will be delivered on Wednesday, setting out details of the laws which the Government will want to bring in over the coming two years.

Included in the speech will be details on any legislation the Government requires to put Brexit into effect.

It is expected to include a Great Repeal Bill bringing EU laws and regulations onto the British statute book, as well as bills on issues including immigration and customs.

There will be a two-day summit of the European Council on June 22 and 23, which will be attended by all 28 EU leaders including Theresa May. This is set to focus on migration and security.

PM Theresa May signing the letter to the EU triggering Article 50. (Getty Images)

On Thursday, EU negotiator Mr Barnier will report back to leaders about relocating EU agencies based in the UK.

David Davis and Michel Barniers teams will meet for one week every month. They will then return to their bases across the Channel to develop their positions.

In October this year, EU negotiator Mr Barnier is due to report back to EU leaders on whether sufficient progress has been made to move on to phase two.

Phase two of the talks will cover the UKs future trade relationship with the EU.

If talks are on course, towards the end of this year the negotiators will be discussing the possibility of a transition period following Brexit during which new trade arrangements can be finalised and phased in.

The EU hopes to finish withdrawal talks around October 2018. This will allow them time to be ratified before the end of the two-year Article 50 deadline.

Later that year the European Court of Justice could be asked to rule on whether the deal requires approval by each EU state. If so, it could have to be ratified by up to 38 national and regional parliaments, with any of them effectively holding a veto.

Mrs May has promised MPs a "take it or leave it" vote on whether to accept the deal or take Britain out of the EU without agreement and fall back on World Trade Organisation rules.

The Westminster vote will take place before the European Parliament debates and votes on the deal, effectively giving MEPs the final say on whether it will go ahead.

The UK will stop being a member of the union on March 29, 2019, two years after Article 50 was triggered.

On this date Britain will be out of the EU whether or not a withdrawal agreement has been reached.

Because the exact moment of exit is midnight Brussels time, the UK is due to leave at 11pm on March 29.

This date can be extended by agreement between all member states. It is not yet clear whether the exit clock can be stopped by the UK withdrawing its Article 50 notification.

The EU insists that a trade deal can only formally be adopted after withdrawal, though the UK hopes this will happen very swiftly, with necessary negotiations completed before Brexit day.

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Brexit talks timeline: David Davis and European Union's Michel Barnier to meet in Brussels on Monday for day one of ... - Evening Standard