EU and UK Set to Open New Work and Travel Opportunities for Youth

Charlie Working Holiday Visas 26 April 2025 | Updated On April 28, 2025 | 0

The European Union is willing to make major concessions to establish a new Youth Mobility Scheme with the UK, offering 18- to 30-year-olds the chance to live, travel, and work across borders for up to 12 months.

After years of limited opportunities for young Europeans and Britons post-Brexit, the EU is prepared to accept tighter conditions, including visa quotas, sector restrictions, and capped durations. EU sources say the programme would be rebranded as the “Youth Experience” scheme, to avoid any impression that it reopens broader immigration pathways.

The proposal marks a significant shift from the EU’s original 2024 offer, which envisioned stays of up to four years. Now, in a bid to break the political deadlock, member states such as France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands are pushing for a more flexible deal. A one-year visa, with a possible one- or two-year extension, is under discussion.

There are signs of softening attitudes among prominent Brexit supporters. Former minister Steve Baker endorsed the idea, calling it a “good thing” that would not amount to a return of unrestricted free movement. “A capped, time-limited scheme for European young people would absolutely not be EU free movement,” he said.

Government ministers insist any new arrangement would respect the UK's post-Brexit commitments. Environment Secretary Steve Reed reaffirmed that there will be no return to the single market, customs union, or full freedom of movement.

Negotiations are currently broader, covering seven areas including youth mobility, defence, energy, migration, and carbon pricing. The youth scheme, however, is seen as a relatively easier win for both sides, especially with growing support from the business community and EU ambassadors.

Germany’s ambassador to the UK, Miguel Berger, expressed optimism, saying the scheme would “open doors for young people from lower-income backgrounds to gain work experience abroad” and learn new languages. He confirmed that preparations are well underway for the upcoming UK-EU summit in London on May 19, though no final decision is expected at the meeting.

Meanwhile, EU member states are also encouraging the UK to consider rejoining the Erasmus+ exchange programme and easing university study arrangements — a more controversial topic for the UK government.

Both sides work towards a “common understanding” to guide future talks. For young people hoping to work and travel between the EU and the UK once again, the signs are increasingly hopeful.

Existing Youth Mobility Schemes

The UK currently runs Youth Mobility Schemes with 12 non-EU countries, including Japan, South Korea, and Uruguay, allowing young people to live, work, or study in the UK for up to two years. Those from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand can extend their stay by an additional year.

Each country has an annual visa quota from just 100 places for Andorra to 42,000 for Australia, and when demand exceeds supply, a ballot system is used.

Applicants must show at least £2,530 in savings, are generally not eligible for most benefits, and must pay an annual NHS surcharge: £776 for students and £1,035 for workers.

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