Under 30 and want to live in Europe? It could soon get easier

EU-UK reset talks continued in earnest this week with a bilateral meeting between Sir Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. And – among defence, security and fishing – top of the agenda is the EU’s continuing push for a youth mobility scheme to make it easier for under-30s to travel, work and live between the UK and bloc.Ministers have so far resisted calls for an EU-wide scheme, but the bloc favours having a commitment to such an agreement as a central part of the post-Brexit relations.

if(window.adverts) { window.adverts.



addToArray({"pos": "inread-hb-ros-inews"}); }The German ambassador to the UK said on Friday he was “really optimistic” about the prospects of a a deal being reached. But UK government sources are considerably more cautious – fearing political backlash to any agreement that looks like it is being too loose when it comes to migration numbers.Prime Minister Keir Starmer greets President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen at the International Summit on the Future of Energy Security at Lancaster House (Photo: Toby Melville – WPA Pool/Getty Images)What is a youth mobility scheme – and how do they work with other countries ?A youth mobility deal is agreed between countries to allow younger citizens, usually adults under the age of 30, to live and work abroad for a limited period of time.

There are already schemes in place which allow young people from specific countries to come to the UK to live and work for a limited period of time. if(window.adverts) { window.

adverts.addToArray({"pos": "mpu_mobile_l1"}); }if(window.adverts) { window.

adverts.addToArray({"pos": "mpu_tablet_l1"}); }Those aged 18 to 30 – or up to the age of 35 if they are from certain countries – can apply to live and work in the UK for up to two years. Citizens from Andorra, Iceland, Japan, Monaco, San Marino, Uruguay, as well as some from Hong Kong and Taiwan, can apply for the two-year visa.

It is also open to British overseas nationals.Young people from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea can also then request to extend their visa for longer than the initial two-year period. In order to be eligible, participants must prove they have a certain amount of money saved – just over £2,500 – and pay the health surcharge in order to access NHS care.

Could there be one with the EU?In 2024, the European Commission proposed opening negotiations on agreeing a youth mobility scheme that would apply between the UK and all EU nations. The Government has repeatedly insisted it has “no plans” for a scheme that would apply to the EU as a bloc over concerns it would look too similar to a return to freedom of movement.The commission proposed a scheme for UK and EU citizens aged between 18 and 30 years old to be able to stay for up to four years in their chosen country, with the aim of allowing them to benefit from studying, training, working or travelling abroad.

if(window.adverts) { window.adverts.

addToArray({"pos": "mpu_mobile_l2"}); }if(window.adverts) { window.adverts.

addToArray({"pos": "mpu_tablet_l2"}); }Under the proposal put forward by the commission, UK and EU students would receive the same treatment for university fees – so EU students would not be paying more than British students studying in the UK.Brussels is keen for the UK to set out a roadmap to agreeing a version of this deal – or at least a policy that allows for easier migration for younger people – at the impending summit, scheduled to take place next month.But The i Paper reported earlier this week that Cabinet ministers have not agreed a final position on it.

It is understood Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Brexit reset chief Nick Thomas-Symonds are among those who are in favour of a youth mobility deal. But Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is said to be unsure about how it could interact with her goal of reducing immigration. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is said to be unsure about how a youth mobility scheme could interact with her goal of reducing immigration (Photo: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu via Getty Images)Home Office ‘open’ to some options? The Times reported that Cooper was “open” to the idea of a “one in, one out” scheme – which would essentially mean there was a cap on the number of people who could come to the UK from EU countries.

This would ensure a total limit is not breached. But sources close to Cooper distanced themselves from the suggestion she was softening her stance.if(window.

adverts) { window.adverts.addToArray({"pos": "mpu_mobile_l3"}); }if(window.

adverts) { window.adverts.addToArray({"pos": "mpu_tablet_l3"}); }A spokesperson said: “These are matters for the Cabinet Office.

No proposals have been put to the Home Secretary or suggested by her.”#color-context-related-article-3658222 {--inews-color-primary: #5C909D;--inews-color-secondary: #EFF4F5;--inews-color-tertiary: #5C909D;} Read Next square SEWAGE .inews__post__label__save-britains-rivers{background-color: #5ba1d4;color: #ffffff;}Save Britain's RiversFinally, water bosses will face jail for sewage spill cover-upsRead MoreThere have also been reports suggesting the Home Secretary could be in favour of a scheme that would only grant visas lasting a year, rather than the longer-term proposal put forward by the EU.

This would mean young people travelling to Britain would not appear in official migration statistics.But the EU is understood to be considering such a concession in order to get a deal over the line – with the suggestion that a compromise deal could be reached.Specifics such as quotas, visa and education fees and the immigration health surcharge could all be up for discussion.

More than 60 Labour backbenchers recently called for “a new and bespoke youth visa scheme” to allow for easier travel for younger citizens. In a letter to Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister in charge of negotiations with the EU, 62 MPs and 11 peers called for “a new and bespoke youth visa scheme” for UK and European citizens under 30.if(window.

adverts) { window.adverts.addToArray({"pos": "mpu_mobile_l4"}); }if(window.

adverts) { window.adverts.addToArray({"pos": "mpu_tablet_l4"}); }In their letter, the MPs and peers said any youth mobility scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing arrangements with countries such as Australia and Canada, with a time limit on visas and a cap on numbers.

Speaking on Friday, Environment Secretary Steve Reed said Labour would not “breach” its manifesto commitments on freedom of movement and said the reports on a new deal were “speculation”..