The UK and European Union have announced plans to develop a new “youth experience scheme”, as part of broader efforts to rebuild post-Brexit cooperation in areas such as trade, security and people-to-people exchange.
Although full details of the youth scheme have yet to be finalised, both sides have confirmed their intention to negotiate a formal arrangement that would give young people opportunities to live, work, travel, study or volunteer in each other’s countries for a limited period of time.
For UK employers, the scheme could offer some welcome relief, as many brace for tighter restrictions on overseas recruitment following last week’s White Paper. The government’s proposed limits on hiring foreign nationals have frustrated businesses across multiple sectors, making a managed youth mobility route a potentially valuable exception.
UK/EU Youth Experience Scheme: details to date
The UK government has said the proposed scheme would not amount to a return of free movement but would instead follow a structured and time-limited approach, similar to existing youth mobility partnerships the UK operates with countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
While exact eligibility criteria are not confirmed, the scheme is expected to apply to people aged 18 to 30, or possibly up to 35, allowing them to live and work in the UK or EU for up to two years. Some reports suggest the permitted stay might be capped at 12 months, depending on final negotiations.
Importantly, any agreement would include quotas, with the UK likely to set an annual limit on the number of visas issued under the scheme, reflecting its stance on managed migration.
Alongside the proposed youth mobility deal, discussions are also under way for the UK to potentially rejoin the Erasmus+ programme. This would re-open opportunities for young people to participate in study, training and internships across Europe.
The Erasmus+ programme previously supported thousands of UK students and apprentices before the UK left the scheme post-Brexit.
Not a return to free movement
Government officials have been clear that any new youth mobility deal would not restore free movement. The scheme would be a targeted and reciprocal arrangement, in the same vein as existing UK youth mobility programmes, offering limited-term access for a specific demographic under agreed conditions.
According to ministers, the emphasis will be on balance and control, with decisions on eligibility, numbers and visa terms made through bilateral negotiation rather than blanket access.
Benefits of an 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, which are 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.
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.
Next steps
Following the joint announcement today by the UK and the EU of their intention to establish a youth experience scheme, the next step will be for both parties to begin formal negotiations. These talks will focus on defining the scope and structure of the scheme, including who will be eligible, how long participants will be allowed to stay, how many places will be available each year, and what types of activities (such as work, study or volunteering) will be permitted.
Once an agreement is reached in principle, the UK and EU will move to draft the legal and operational framework for the scheme. This will involve setting out the application process, determining any associated costs, and establishing the rights and responsibilities of participants. Key safeguards will also need to be agreed, to ensure the scheme is limited in scope and does not replicate full freedom of movement.
In the UK, the government may need to amend the Immigration Rules to allow for the implementation of the new scheme. This will require secondary legislation and formal publication of guidance by the Home Office. Similarly, the EU may require approval from relevant institutions, particularly if the scheme is to apply across all 27 member states.
After the legal and administrative foundations are in place, the scheme will be publicly launched. There will likely be an official start date and an application process made available via the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) portal and equivalent EU channels. Public information campaigns are expected to raise awareness among young people, employers, and education providers about how to participate.
Finally, once operational, the scheme will be subject to monitoring and periodic review. Both sides are expected to include provisions for adjusting quotas, eligibility criteria, or duration based on uptake and policy impact. The scheme’s success will likely influence whether future youth-focused mobility programmes are expanded or replicated in other areas of UK–EU cooperation.
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As a new route, the youth experience scheme would effectively grant UK employers access to a broader pool of young talent from EU countries, particularly for short-term, entry-level or seasonal roles. It may also ease staffing pressures in sectors facing labour shortages by providing a managed route for recruitment without the costs and complexities of sponsorship.
We shall update as more information on the scheme becomes available.
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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
