The European Union’s executive has proposed that Britons be allowed to visit the EU visa-free even if there is no Brexit deal. The Commission said Britons would need no visas for stays of up to 90 days within any 180 day period as long as it is reciprocal for EU nationals.
EU Vice President, Frans Timmermans, said that a deal is the preferred solution but said in a news conference “that we are not there yet”.
The Commission said in a statement:
In the scenario where the UK leaves the EU without a deal, this would apply as of 30 March 2019. If a deal is reached, however, it would apply as of the end of the transition period.
The transition is currently scheduled to be from the end of 2020.
Speaking at a press conference in Strasbourg, Timmermans said:
We propose to amend the visa regulation to allow UK nationals to be exempt from any visa requirement for short stays in the EU once EU law stops applying to the UK.
This proposal is entirely conditional upon the UK also granting reciprocal and non-discriminatory visa-free travel for all EU member states, in line with the principle of visa-reciprocity.
Currently, nationals from 56 countries outside the EU are permitted to visit the UK for up to six months without visas, but they aren’t allowed to work, study or remain permanently in the country.
Also read: The latest on Brexit