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What has been agreed so far?
At the inaugural UK-EU Summit on May 19 2025 the UK and the EU agreed to the establishment of a UK-EU Youth Experience Scheme (YES).
The UK Government has since confirmed their intention to introduce a cap on the number of visas available and to model a UK-EU YES on existing schemes with Australia and New Zealand.
How many people will be able to participate in the UK-EU Youth Experience Scheme?
The UK Trade and Business Commission’s analysis of the proposed UK-EU Youth Experience Scheme suggested introducing an initial cap of 44,000 for the first year.
This is because the UK’s existing youth mobility schemes currently reduce net migration by 44,000 – meaning that all of the UK’s youth mobility schemes would have no effect on net migration. This number could then be increased as it became clear how many young people participated.
Who will be eligible for the UK-EU Youth Experience Scheme?
The UK’s existing schemes with countries such as Australia, Canada and Japan are available to those aged between 18 and 30 (and in some cases up to 35). A key aspect of the UK-EU YES is centred around making it as accessible as possible to the broadest number of individuals from all walks of life and backgrounds.
Where could I go during my UK-EU Youth Experience Scheme?
Once agreed, the UK-EU Youth Experience Scheme would allow participants to work, study, and live in all 27 EU countries. So whether it is Paris or Rome, Berlin or Budapest, your horizons will be broader and brighter.
What has the government said about the UK-EU Youth Experience scheme?
New EU minister Hamish Falconer said in a recent interview that the YES deal should “work for both sides”, arguing that it is “vital that as we go through this, we have real respect on both sides for what some of the constraints are for each of us”.
How long would my UK-EU Youth Experience Scheme last?
The UK’s current youth mobility schemes are limited to two-year stays. However, participants in or from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand may extend their stay for an additional year.
Best for Britain’s polling suggests that a two-year scheme with the EU would command much greater support (66%) than a three (56%) or four year (54%) scheme amongst the British public. The UKTBC therefore recommended that the Youth Experience Scheme should last for two years with the option to extend for a further year.
Do people support a UK-EU Youth Experience Scheme?
Overwhelmingly and consistently. Best for Britain has been tracking public opinion on a UK-EU youth mobility scheme since April 2023, with support reaching 72% last October, compared to just 13% opposed.
How long has Best for Britain campaigned for a youth mobility scheme with the EU?
The UK Trade and Business Commission, run by Best for Britain, became the first organisation to call for a youth experience scheme in May 2023. Ever since, we have worked tirelessly to give young people the opportunities stolen from them by Brexit.
What could I do on my UK-EU Youth Experience Scheme?
Anything! The current plan by the UK government is to allow young people from the UK or the EU to utilise the duration of their stay to do whatever it is that they want to do. Whether that be studying, working, or simply embracing another culture.
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