Britain and the European Union are set to agree a scheme allowing young EU citizens and Britons to live in each other’s countries for up to three years, in one of the most tangible steps yet in the gradual rebuilding of post-Brexit ties.
The agreement is expected at a summit in Brussels on 20 November, according to a draft joint statement seen by Reuters. The document also points to deals easing agrifood trade and linking the two sides’ emissions trading schemes, though it could still change before the summit.
The draft says Britain will join the EU’s Erasmus+ student exchange and academic cooperation scheme in 2027, and welcomes the conclusion of negotiations on a youth experience scheme, a long-standing EU demand. The scheme would grant residence rights for up to three years to work, study, volunteer or travel for people aged 18 to 34. The document did not specify a cap on numbers.
A separate commitment on tuition fees is also expected, though a full agreement is not anticipated for another six months. Britain and the EU will commit to supplementing their existing trade agreement to provide “equal treatment” with nationals for tuition fees for EU students in Britain and British students in the EU, with negotiations to be completed within six months.
That wording would mean a significant reduction in fees for EU nationals studying in Britain, but would not necessarily mean they pay only the “home fees” rate charged to domestic students, an EU diplomat told Reuters. EU students currently pay international fees, typically around three times the home-fee rate.
The delay in reaching a fee agreement may be linked to Britain’s demand to be treated as a trusted partner under the bloc’s “Made in EU” rules on local content requirements for products purchased through public procurement or subsidy schemes, an issue of particular importance to Britain’s car sector. Legislation on that question is still going through the EU’s approval process in the European Parliament and among member states, with a final common text likely within six months.
Britain left the EU in 2020, and relations have gradually improved after years of post-Brexit tension. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took power in July, said in a speech in late September that Britain should consider options for its future relationship with the EU, including rejoining the bloc, doubling down on his message that Brexit had “done more harm than good”.
Note on sourcing: the details of the summit package rest on a draft joint statement seen by Reuters and not yet a final agreed text, so the terms could still change before 20 November.
Sources: Reuters, “Britain, EU set for youth mobility deal at summit, student fee talks continue” (https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-eu-set-youth-mobility-deal-summit-student-fee-talks-continue-2026-11-03/)
The featured image is a file photo of the Berlaymont building in Brussels, seat of the European Commission, taken in September 2019, not of the summit.
