EU closer on deal for post-Brexit visa waivers for Britons
EU diplomats have agreed that after Brexit, British citizens should be granted visa-free travel, the European Council said on Friday. "According to EU rules, visa exemption is granted on condition of reciprocity. The government of the United Kingdom has stated that it does not intend to require a visa from EU citizens travelling to the U.K. for short stays," the council said in a statement.
- World
- DPA
- Published Date: 12:00 | 01 February 2019
- Modified Date: 04:55 | 01 February 2019
The European Union on Friday took one step closer toward approving a system of visa waivers for Britons visiting the bloc after Brexit.
Member-state representatives said they have agreed that Britons arriving after Brexit in the EU's Schengen area - the 26-country zone where people can travel freely - should be granted visa-free travel for short stays.
A short stay, in this context, is 90 days within 180 days.
Member states will now have to negotiate with the European Parliament to finalize the proposal, which will serve as an interim measure after Brexit.
The member states said that "according to EU rules, visa exemption is granted on condition of reciprocity." Britain has already said it will allow visa-free travel for EU citizens post-Brexit, they added.
This provision means that if Britain ever required visas for visitors from at least one EU member state, the EU institutions and the member states would together "act without delay" to apply reciprocity against Britain.
The EU began work on this question in November. But more broadly, the commission has been announcing contingency measures in case Britain crashes out of the EU without a deal on March 29.
This interim visa proposal is separate from a long-term EU regulation, effective in 2020, that sets up a "pre-authorization" for travel by visitors from countries where the EU does not require a visa, at present more than 60.
Under this system, visitors can travel in and out of the EU for three years, provided they pay 7 euros (8 dollars). Britain will join this group after Brexit.