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The United Kingdom and the European Union look to be progressing towards establishing a reciprocal youth mobility programme, termed the “Youth Experience Scheme”.
The scheme would have the aim of enhancing post-Brexit relations by facilitating cultural and professional exchanges for young adults. For employers, this new route could open up talent pipelines to young European workers, without the bureaucracy and cost currently associated with hiring from overseas.
What is the UK/EU Youth Mobility Programme?
The “youth experience scheme” is a rebranded initiative designed to allow individuals aged 18 to 30 from both the UK and EU member states to live and work in each other’s territories for a specified period. Initially, the EU proposed a four-year visa; however, to address UK concerns about migration control, the current proposal suggests a 12-month visa, with possibilities for extension. The scheme may include quotas and sector-specific restrictions, and a “one in, one out” mechanism is under consideration to manage migration flows.
Eligibility Criteria
While specific eligibility requirements are yet to be finalised, the scheme is expected to target individuals aged 18 to 30. Participants would likely need to demonstrate sufficient financial means and health insurance coverage for the duration of their stay. Additional criteria, such as language proficiency or educational background, may be considered during negotiations.
Potential Benefits of a new UK/EU Youth Mobility Scheme
The proposed UK-EU youth mobility scheme offers a range of potential benefits for UK businesses, the EU and broader economic and trade relations. For UK businesses, particularly those in sectors reliant on young, dynamic workforces such as hospitality, technology and creative industries, the scheme could ease chronic labour shortages. By allowing talented young Europeans to live and work in the UK for up to a year, employers would have access to a fresh pool of motivated workers without the bureaucracy and cost currently associated with hiring from overseas. It could also support innovation and skills exchange, injecting new ideas and cross-cultural perspectives into British companies.
Economically, the scheme could help rebuild damaged trade relations. Greater personal mobility often translates into stronger professional networks, smoother cross-border collaboration, and deeper mutual understanding — all crucial for effective trade. Businesses with international teams are better positioned to spot opportunities, solve complex problems, and navigate regulatory differences.
For the EU, the scheme symbolises a softening of post-Brexit barriers, offering new mobility opportunities for its citizens. It would demonstrate the EU’s ability to secure fair opportunities for its younger generations abroad, particularly at a time when global youth mobility is a growing priority. It would also encourage reciprocal arrangements for young UK nationals, improving their access to European job markets, cultural experiences, and language skills development.
One of the key benefits of the proposed youth mobility scheme is its potential to facilitate cultural exchange, promote mutual understanding and strengthen interpersonal ties across borders.
The scheme could offer opportunities for participants to gain international work experience, enhancing their individual employability while contributing to a more skilled and globally minded workforce in both regions.
While the current proposal primarily focuses on work-related mobility, future iterations of the scheme may include provisions for study. This could improve access to educational institutions across the UK and the EU, opening up further opportunities for academic development and collaboration.
Symbolically, it would signal a commitment to pragmatic cooperation rather than political division, potentially laying the groundwork for future agreements in services, research, and education. At a time when only a small minority of Britons still view Brexit as a success, initiatives like this offer a practical step towards repairing the UK’s economic ties with its largest trading bloc, without reopening broader political arguments about EU membership.
Existing UK Schemes for Young Workers
The UK already offers youth mobility programmes that facilitate cultural exchange and professional development for young adults from various countries, including Commonwealth nations and India.
UK Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS)
The Youth Mobility Scheme allows individuals aged 18 to 30 (or up to 35 for certain nationalities) from participating countries to live and work in the UK for up to two years. Eligible countries include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Iceland, Japan, Monaco, San Marino, and Uruguay. Applicants from Hong Kong and Taiwan must enter a ballot system before applying. Participants must have at least £2,530 in savings and cannot have dependent children. The scheme does not require a job offer prior to application and permits work in most jobs, as well as self-employment under specific conditions.
India Young Professionals Scheme (IYPS)
The India Young Professionals Scheme is a bilateral initiative between the UK and India, offering 3,000 visas annually to Indian citizens aged 18 to 30. Successful applicants can live and work in the UK for up to two years. Eligibility criteria include holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, having at least £2,530 in savings, and being selected through a ballot process. This scheme aims to strengthen professional and cultural ties between the two countries.
Implementation and Next Steps
The youth mobility programme is anticipated to be a central topic at the upcoming UK-EU summit scheduled for 19 May 2025. Both parties aim to finalise the framework of the scheme during this meeting, alongside discussions on broader issues such as trade, security and regulatory cooperation.
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Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals
