The consequences of Brexit – both on the United Kingdom and on the European Union – will be very challenging. However, the Parliamentary Committee for Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs today approved new rules to grant UK citizens visa-free travel to the EU, which will make it easier for citizens to continue travelling to and from the United Kingdom.
Thanks to these new rules, UK citizens would not need a visa when travelling to the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Subject to a deal being reached before the 29th of March, these rules will start to be applied at the end of the transition period. If, however, the UK leaves the EU without a deal, these rules will come into action as of from the 30th of March. These rules will apply also to EU citizens from the 27 Member States who travel to the UK for short stays for tourism and business purposes.
MEP Pál Csáky, EPP Group Spokesperson on the report, said, “We know that the aftermath of Brexit will not be the easiest both for UK citizens, and for EU citizens who have a relationship with the UK. That is why we have pushed forward these new rules. They will make life easier for those who travel to the UK, and also for UK citizens travelling to the EU’s Member States. The European Union is preparing itself for any eventuality – the UK leaving the EU with or without a deal – and making sure that this leaves the least impact possible on both EU and British citizens.”
