𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faces fresh pressure from Brussels over youth mobility as EU-UK talks on a post-Brexit youth experience scheme remain deadlocked. The bloc is pushing for fewer restrictions and a significant cut to university tuition fees for its students, amid ongoing negotiations.

The standoff came into sharp focus at the seventh EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, which concluded in Brussels on Tuesday. One breakout group focused on mobility issues and opportunities for young people, including the UK’s re-association with Erasmus+ from 2027 and the proposed youth experience scheme (YES).

A European Parliament briefing previously stated: “The seventh EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly will take place on 16 and 17 March 2026 in Brussels. One of the three breakout groups in the meeting will see participants discussing mobility issues and opportunities for young people, including Erasmus+ and a possible youth experience scheme (YES), which would facilitate work, study, au-pairing and volunteering for EU and UK youth.”

It adds: “In the common understanding from the first EU‑UK summit, the UK and EU shared the view that both parties ‘should work towards a balanced youth experience scheme on terms to be mutually agreed’.”

The scheme would allow 18- to 30-year-olds from both sides to stay for up to two to four years for work, study, volunteering or travel, via a dedicated visa path. The briefing noted: “It should provide a dedicated visa path and ensure that the number of participants is acceptable to both sides, possibly including a cap.”

Talks between the European Commission and the UK government are continuing, with both sides in a recent joint statement expressing willingness to conclude negotiations by the next EU-UK summit, expected in Brussels later this year.

However, a major row has erupted over the EU’s demand that European students pay “home” tuition fees in the UK—estimated at £9,500—rather than international rates that can exceed £60,000. UK negotiators reportedly view this as a “non-starter” that could cost British universities £140 million a year.

Post-Brexit, the end of free movement has cut opportunities sharply. EU student numbers in UK universities halved between 2020/21 and 2023/24 due to visas, healthcare surcharges and higher fees. UK students face similar hurdles in the EU.

The UK agreed in December 2025 to rejoin Erasmus+ in 2027, contributing around £570 million for the 2027/28 year. This will restore exchanges for students, apprentices, teachers and youth workers in education, youth and sport.

Touring artists and creatives also struggle with added costs. The briefing said: “EU and UK touring artists and creative professionals face additional costs and administrative requirements since Brexit, not only for their own mobility, but also for the transport of equipment, which must comply with customs and haulage rules.”

In February 2026, a delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education visited London to discuss barriers to cultural collaboration, challenges for touring artists and progress on the youth scheme.

A government spokesperson previously said: “We are working together with the EU to create a balanced youth experience scheme which will create new opportunities for young people to live, work, study and travel.”

Sir Keir has signalled openness to the scheme but insisted it would not restore freedom of movement. In May 2025, he described it as reciprocal and time-limited.

Negotiations face hurdles over caps, stay durations and tuition fees. Reports indicate the EU has resisted UK demands for strict limits, while pushing for solutions on fees for European students in the UK to reach agreement.

With the assembly highlighting Brussels’ drive for deeper cooperation, the youth mobility push tests the Government’s commitment to controlling migration post-Brexit. Degree-level students, however, still face international tuition fees in many cases.

In February 2026, a delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education visited London to discuss barriers to cultural collaboration, challenges for touring artists and progress on the youth scheme.

A government spokesperson said: “We are working together with the EU to create a balanced youth experience scheme which will create new opportunities for young people to live, work, study and travel.”

Sir Keir has signalled openness to the scheme but insisted it would not restore freedom of movement. In May 2025, he described it as reciprocal and time-limited.

Negotiations face hurdles over caps, stay durations and tuition fees. Reports indicate the EU has resisted UK demands for strict limits, while pushing for solutions on fees for European students in the UK to reach agreement.

With the assembly highlighting Brussels’ drive for deeper cooperation, the youth mobility push tests the government’s commitment to controlling migration post-Brexit. Degree-level students, however, still face international tuition fees in many cases.