UK to allow 18-30 year old EU citizens to live and work in UK for two years

LONDON Feb 21: As part of Labour leader Keir Starmer’s efforts to reset relations with the European Union, Britain is reportedly planning to offer a youth mobility scheme that would allow young people from EU countries to live and work in the UK for up to two years. The proposed scheme, similar to existing arrangements with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, and Uruguay, is set to be announced at an EU-UK summit on May 19.

Under the proposed reciprocal agreement, young EU citizens aged 18-30 would be granted access to live and work in the UK for a period of two years, with a possible one-year extension. However, the scheme would have an annual cap on numbers, reportedly around 70,000 participants, and require applicants to pay an NHS surcharge and be ineligible for benefits. Young Britons would be granted similar access to EU countries.

The plan has already encountered pushback from some EU member states, including Germany, Poland, and Romania, who have expressed concerns about the UK’s “restrictive” measures, such as the healthcare charges. According to The Times, some countries feel that these charges are discriminatory and go against the spirit of reciprocity.

While the UK’s youth mobility scheme with countries like Australia requires applicants to have £2,530 in savings, pay a £298 application fee, and cover a yearly £776 NHS surcharge, EU countries may argue for different terms to ensure their young citizens are not unfairly burdened.

As the UK seeks to reset its relationship with the EU post-Brexit, this proposed youth mobility scheme will be a significant topic of discussion at the upcoming summit. The outcome of these negotiations will play a role in determining the future of UK-EU relations and the opportunities available to young people in both regions.