The European Union is prepared to offer significant concessions to the UK by backing a new “youth experience” scheme, which would allow British and European citizens aged 18 to 30 to travel and work freely. The proposal is seen as a crucial step toward rebuilding post-Brexit relations with Brussels.
A deal enabling thousands of young Europeans to live and work in the UK has been a major EU goal during ongoing negotiations involving defence, energy, and migration agreements. Sources suggest that EU member states are now willing to accept 12-month work visas, subject to quotas and sector-specific limitations.
Officials are also considering a “one in, one out” system floated by the UK home secretary. According to EU insiders, the program would be rebranded as the “youth experience” scheme to avoid associations with reopening broader immigration channels for EU nationals.
When asked about a potential youth mobility agreement on Friday, a Downing Street spokesperson said: “Both sides are discussing a wide range of issues, which is entirely normal for a negotiation.”
The EU initially proposed a broader youth mobility framework in April 2024, which would have allowed young people to work or study across borders for up to four years. However, that plan was rejected by both Labour and Conservative parties. After a year of talks, key member states — including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands — have pressed for compromise.
One source indicated that a one-year visa, with possible extensions of one or two additional years, could be more politically viable.
The UK currently participates in a youth mobility scheme with 12 non-EU countries, allowing young people to work for two or three years. Home Office figures show that 23,000 young people entered the UK under the program in 2023, including 9,900 Australians.
Marking a shift in tone among prominent Brexit supporters, Steve Baker, former government minister and Brexit campaigner, endorsed the initiative, stating it would be a “good thing” and “absolutely would not amount to a return to EU free movement.” However, Baker described the debate over youth visas as a “red herring,” suggesting it distracts from concerns about a proposed food and drink standards agreement that could jeopardize a future US trade deal.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed reiterated that the government would not violate its manifesto pledges on freedom of movement, telling Times Radio: “We’re very clear in our manifesto that there won’t be any return to the single market, the customs union or freedom of movement, and that remains our position.”
Speaking from Washington ahead of a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasized that the UK’s economic ties with the EU were “arguably even more important” than with the US.
German ambassador to the UK, Miguel Berger, expressed optimism about reaching a deal after Keir Starmer’s meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Berger told BBC Radio 4: “I am now pretty optimistic that we are moving in a good direction.
“It would make it possible for young people with parents with a lower income to experience the possibility to work abroad, to learn a language, and we would like to have this in both directions,” Berger said.
“There is a very serious and dedicated preparatory work for the summit on May 19,” he added, referring to the upcoming UK-EU summit in London.
Baker emphasized: “To have a capped, time-limited scheme for European young people would be a good thing, and absolutely would not amount to a return to EU free movement, which is uncapped for unlimited duration and requires nations to treat European citizens as their own. Any confusion over this should be quickly cleared up.”
However, Baker also warned against a potential food standards deal with the EU, saying: “While we are arguing about this complete red herring, the UK looks set to take EU rules on food and products, which will put us in breach of our obligations under the Pacific Rim trade deal and rule out doing a trade deal with the USA. That matters, because that’s where the economic growth is going to come from. And without growth, we will default on pension obligations.”
Negotiations are currently focused on seven areas — defence and security, carbon pricing, migration, youth experience, energy, and fishing — feeding into a broader framework known as a “common understanding,” which would lay the groundwork for detailed agreements. An EU source said: “No decisions are expected to be made during the summit itself. At most, there could be a mutual commitment to exploring possible avenues for an agreement on these issues.”
In addition, several EU member states are pushing for the UK’s re-entry into the Erasmus+ program, allowing university students to study abroad while paying home fees. However, due to past imbalances between British and EU student numbers, UK officials are reluctant.
Meanwhile, the Domestic Advisory Group — a business consultation panel under the Brexit trade and cooperation agreement — has urged the UK government to push for broader negotiations. Their requests include lifting bans on British seed potato exports to the EU, easing batch testing requirements for pharmaceuticals, establishing mutual recognition for professional qualifications, and removing barriers faced by touring musicians and artists.
They also advocate for improved access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland and a return to joint chemical regulations.
