uk travelling under 18

Traveling to Europe with kids? What to know about vaccination and entry rules

Mar 31, 2022 • 9 min read

The EU has introduced flexible vaccination rules for children traveling under the EU Digital COVID Certificate © Getty Images

Do children need a booster for travel in Europe this summer? Can unvaccinated children travel? Here's what you need to know as the European Union (EU) introduces flexible travel rules for people under the age of 18.

Across the EU, tourists who completed their primary jabs more than 270 days ago need a booster to enter countries such as France , Spain and Italy  — or be considered unvaccinated and therefore subject to additional rules such as testing.

This recommendation was introduced by the European Commission (the legal arm of the EU) on February 1 under the EU Digital COVID Certificate regulation . Most EU member states adopted it, though some, such as Ireland , Denmark and Sweden , have since scrapped all COVID-19 entry requirements at their borders.

What it's like for Americans proving they are vaccinated in Europe

This week, the Commission introduced new rules on the EU digital COVID certificate that exempt children under the age of 18 from the 270 days acceptance period following the primary vaccination series. This means that children are considered fully vaccinated after having received their primary dose; whether that's a two-shot vaccine series or a one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

By April 6, this new feature will be included in the mobile app used to verify EU Digital COVID Certificates so that children's certificates remain active without the booster.

In a statement, Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, said: "One of the biggest benefits of the EU Digital COVID Certificate is its flexibility to adapt to new circumstances. Following discussions with member states' public health experts, we have decided that the vaccination certificates of minors should not expire. When travelling, they will be able to continue using the certificate received after the primary series of vaccination."

This exemption applies to EU and Schengen Zone citizens and residents traveling within Europe, though some countries can adopt their own entry restrictions regardless of the Commission's ruling.

If you plan to travel to Europe with kids this summer, here's what you need to know about the latest entry rules and how they apply to you, even if you're traveling from countries outside of the EU like the UK and the US.

Can unvaccinated children travel to Europe?

Generally speaking, yes. Children under 12 are typically exempt from vaccination requirements in most countries but many require that children between the age of 12 and 18 have received the primary vaccine course to avoid testing rules.

What countries in Europe have scrapped COVID-19 entry restrictions?

Andorra , Denmark, Hungary , Lithuania , Iceland , Ireland, Montenegro , Norway , Poland , Romania , Slovenia , Sweden, and the United Kingdom have recently dropped all pandemic restrictions at their borders, meaning people no longer have to show vaccination certificates or negative tests to enter these countries, regardless of where they are coming from.

Countries in Europe with travel restrictions

Here are some of the destinations in Europe that still require proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test from travelers.

People over the age of 12 need one of the following: proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory 270 days after primary vaccine course); a recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days); or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (24 hours) test.

Boosters are not required for those under 18 to be considered fully vaccinated.

See more: Austria Entry Requirements

Generally, people traveling from the EU/Schengen area can present proof of vaccination (booster mandatory 270 days after primary vaccine course); a recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days) or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (36 hours) test.

People from outside the EU or an area categorized as high-risk must present proof of vaccination. Children under 18 can present proof of recovery or a negative test. Children under 12 are exempt.

Belgium's rules vary depending on the COVID-19 risk associated with your departing country.

See more: Belgium Color Codes by Country

People need one of the following: proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory 270 days after primary vaccine course); a recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days); or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (24 hours) test.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt from testing. Boosters are not required for those under 18 to be considered fully vaccinated.

See more: Visit Croatia

People over the age of 12 need one of the following: proof of vaccination (booster mandatory seven months after primary vaccine course) or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (24 hours) test. People also have to take a PCR on arrival and isolate while awaiting results.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt from testing. Boosters are not required for those under 18 to be considered fully vaccinated.

See more: Visit Cyprus

People must present proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory nine months after primary vaccine course) or recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days) to bypass additional restrictions. Unvaccinated travelers from the EU and approved countries including the UK and US must isolate for seven days upon arrival.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt from entry rules.

See more: Estonia Ministry of Foreign Affairs

People traveling from the EU, Schengen Zone or approved countries including Hong Kong, New Zealand and South Korea can present one of the following: proof of vaccination; recovery certificate (older than 28 days, but no less than three months old) or a PCR (48 hours) or antigen (48 hours) test. Children under the age of 12 are exempt from testing.

People traveling from outside the EU, including the UK and the US, must be vaccinated to enter Germany. Unvaccinated 6-11 year olds can enter with a vaccinated parent; unvaccinated accompanying over-12s can provide a negative PCR or antigen test.

See more: Government of Germany

People traveling from the EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia, and other approved countries need to present one of the following: proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory seven months after primary vaccine course); a recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days); or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (24 hours) test.

Children under five are exempt from all entry requirements. Boosters are not required for those under 18 to be considered fully vaccinated.

See more: Greece Ministry of Tourism

There are no entry rules for those traveling from the EU and Schengen Zone countries. However, people coming from third countries such as the UK and the US must provide proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory nine months after primary vaccine course) or recovery certificate (issued within the past six months).

Children born in 2007 or later are exempt if accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult.

See more:  Finland Border Guard

People must present one of the following: proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory nine months after a primary vaccine course) or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (48 hours) test.

Children under 12 are exempt. Boosters are not required for those under 18 to be considered fully vaccinated.

See more:  French Ministry of Foreign Affairs  

People need to present one of the following: proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory seven months after primary vaccine course); a recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days); or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (48 hours) test.

Children under the age of six are exempt from testing. Boosters are not required for those under 18 to be considered fully vaccinated.

See more:  Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

People over the age of 12 need one of the following: proof of vaccination (second dose administered at least 14 days prior to travel); recovery certificate; or negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (48 hours) test.

See more: Discover Latvia

People need one of the following: proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory nine months after primary vaccine course); a recovery certificate (issued within the past six months); or a negative PCR (48 hours) or antigen (24 hours) test.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt.

See more:  Visit Luxembourg

People must present proof of vaccination with a booster to travel to Malta. 

Children between the ages of five and 11 must present a negative PCR test (72 hours). Children under five are exempt.

See more:  Visit Malta  

Netherlands

There are no entry rules for people traveling from the EU/Schengen area or countries participating in the EU travel rules scheme. People from elsewhere, including the US and UK, must present proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory 270 days after primary vaccine course) or a recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days but no earlier than 11 days).

Children under 12 traveling to the Netherlands from outside the EU/Schengen area must show a negative PCR (48 hours) or antigen (24 hours) test.

See more: Government of Netherlands

See more: Visit Portugal

People traveling to Slovakia must show proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory nine months after primary vaccine course).

See more: Slovakia Information Centre

People traveling from the EU can show proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory nine months after primary vaccine course); a recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days) or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (24 hours) test.

People traveling from outside the EU must show proof of vaccination or recovery only (unless traveling to Balearic Islands where proof of vaccination is mandatory).

Children under 12 are exempt from vaccination requirements. Unvaccinated 12 to 17-year-olds can present a negative PCR (72 hours) test.

See more: Spain Ministry of Health

Switzerland

People traveling to Switzerland must show proof of vaccination ( booster mandatory 270 days after primary vaccine course) or a recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days). 

Children under 18 are exempt.

See more: Switzerland Travel Check

Most people need to present one of the following: proof of vaccination; a recovery certificate (issued within the past six months but no less than 28 days); or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (48 hours) test.

Children under the age of 12 are exempting from testing.

People from high-risk countries are subject to stricter rules including quarantine if they're unvaccinated.

See more: Visit Turkey

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UK Standard Visa: Travel for those under 18

When you travel to the UK, you are given the unique experience of seeing one of the most incredible places in the world. Embedded into the world's history as one of the oldest countries, the UK is a country that serves as one of the most prominent world powers.

Some will need a visa to visit the UK. Generally, the standard visitor visa covers just about every type of visit including academics, business, tourism, etc.

In order for those under 18 to apply for the visa and travel alone, their legal guardians will need to give additional documentation to validate the trip: written consent, contact details, the name and date of birth of the person you will be staying with, address of where you will be staying, details of your relationship to the person who'll be looking after you. Your visa application will also need to indicate if you are traveling alone or with adults. Up to two adults can be put on your application. If you are a traveler under the age of 18, you must meet certain requirements: suitable arrangements for your travel and stay in the UK, consent from your parent or guardian, ability to pay for your return or onward journey, and proof of financial assets or help to support your stay.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What do i need to submit for an application if i am under the age of 18 and i am travelling alone.

When applicants under the age of 18 apply to travel alone, their legal guardians will need to provide the following on your visa application :

• Old travel documentation
• Proof of residence
• Proof of employment
• Proof of educational enrollment
• business registration documents
• Proof of intended business activities
• Birth Certificate
• A copy of your parent(s) or legal guardian's details page of their passport
• Written consent
• Contact details
• The name and date of birth of the person you will be staying with
• Address of where you will be staying
• Details of your relationship to the person who'll be looking after you

What is the max stay placed on this visa?

Currently, the United Kingdom limits a max stay of 180 days in Total for the standard visitor visa.

When Will My Standard Visitor Visa Expire?

Your visa will expire in 180 days after issued

How Long Does Processing Take for the application?

The speed at which your visa application will process will depend on the processing speed you choose:

• Standard: 30 days
• Rush: 30 days
• Super Rush: 30 days

How Much Does the Standard Visitor Visa Cost?

The cost of your visa will depend on the processing speed of your application:

• Standard: USD $336.99
• Rush: USD $337.99
• Super Rush: USD $341.99

Is Multiple Entry Allowed with the United Kingdom Standard Visitor Visa?

The current policy enforced by the UK allows Multiple Entry for the standard visitor visa.

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• iVisa is NOT affiliated with any government agency. This site does not provide legal advice and we are not a law firm. None of our customer service representatives are lawyers and they also do not provide legal advice. We are a private, internet-based travel and immigration consultancy provider dedicated to helping individuals travel around the world. You may apply by yourself directly on the various government websites. The source of information: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration

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Under-18s travel insurance

Article contents.

31 August 2018 | Updated 18 April 2024 | 6 minute read

Is your under-18 heading abroad without you? Find out everything you need to know to keep them safe on their travels.

Waving off your child as they embark on a journey – whether flying solo to meet a family member abroad, going on holiday with their best pal’s family or jetting off on a jolly with friends after their exams – can be a daunting prospect for any parent.

Your every instinct is to have them close and to protect them (as well as burst into tears when they disappear from view, of course!). But, while you can’t be there to take care of them on their trip, you can at least ensure they’re covered against any emergencies that might arise by taking out adequate travel insurance .

What travel insurance will my child need?

If you’ve already got an annual family travel policy , it’s worth checking the terms and conditions to see if it will cover your child when travelling without you. Some policies allow children to travel independently of you, although they may stipulate that children under 16 need to be accompanied by a responsible adult, such as a grandparent. If your current policy doesn’t cover them to travel without you, or alone, you’ll need another option.

Depending on who they’re travelling with, you could also look into group policies, which cover people travelling together who may or may not be related. If they’re holidaying with grandparents, for example, there might be the option for the grandparents to add them to their own annual policies. Otherwise, you’ll have to take out a separate policy for under-18s travelling alone.

Whichever type of travel insurance your child has, it should contain all the basics that an adult policy does, including insurance against lost luggage , medical treatment, theft, loss of personal possessions and accidents.

Our Admiral Travel Insurance covers a range of activities as standard, but if your child is heading off on an adventure holiday and intends to do any typical teen pursuits such as go-karting or mountain-biking, it’s always worth checking with our advisors for your own peace of mind.

If your child is snow-bound and planning some skiing or snowboarding fun on the slopes, you’ll need our specialist winter sports insurance to enable them to cut a swathe across the mountains with confidence!

Make sure your under-18 also takes his or her GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) with them if travelling within Europe, in order to easily access basic emergency healthcare in the unlikely event it will be needed. But do remember that this handy card is not a replacement for travel insurance and full travel cover will still be needed.

And any parent who’s ever tried to unglue their teenager from a smartphone will know the importance of protecting their precious tech from loss and damage – not least so you can keep in regular contact with them by phone! Our gadget insurance offers add-on cover to some policies for up to three gadgets, up to a value of £1,000, in the event of them being lost, stolen or damaged.

Top tips for under-18s travel

If your under-18 is going away with grandparents, the family of one of their friends, a step-parent or, indeed, anyone who has a different surname to them, it’s a good idea that you, as the parent, writes and signs a letter giving consent for those adults to travel with your child. It’s not compulsory, but it may speed up any queries at border control. You can find a template on the Home Office website. You could also write a similar letter giving permission for medical care when they’re away.

Make copies, paper and digital, of all your child’s important documents – including their passport, tickets and travel insurance – in case they lose the originals. Remember, too, that laws regarding under-18s travelling without an adult vary from country to country so be sure to research their intended destination in advance.

The Foreign Office website has a section on current Foreign Office Travel Advice for 225 countries. Did you know, for example, that Portuguese Border Control requires that a child under the age of 18 travelling to Portugal alone or without a parent or guardian should either be met at the airport by their parent or guardian or carry a letter of authorisation to travel giving details of the adult in Portugal who will be responsible for them during their stay?

Flying solo

If your little one or teen is taking a flight on their own, you’ll need to inform the airline well in advance, and will usually have to book their ticket over the phone and talk to the reservations team rather than book online. You may need to sign a form of consent or a Declaration of Indemnity.

A child must be at least five to fly solo, but every airline has its own policy. For example, the minimum age of a person permitted to travel alone with British Airways has recently been increased from 12 to 14 years of age.

Children aged five to 12 years who fly alone are classed as ‘unaccompanied minors’ on a flight, even if they sit in a different cabin class to adults travelling with them (we’re talking to you, Kirstie Allsopp and Gordon Ramsay!). This is because cabin crew will be responsible for them in the event of an emergency or when the seatbelt signs are switched on.

You’ll need to pay a fee for an unaccompanied minor or an escort service for their supervision. If your child is aged between 12 and 16, they can travel without supervision, but you can still request an escort for them if you prefer.

The airline will also usually require that the parent or guardian dropping off the child at the airport remains there until the flight has departed. You will also need to arrange for a pre-registered adult with photo ID to meet them at their destination.

The most important thing when waving off your loved young ones? Try not to show them you’re worried. Tell them to take care – and a have a great time!

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Children's Travel Insurance

What is children's travel insurance, why your child needs under-18s travel insurance.

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office recently identified that young travellers are more likely to head abroad without travel insurance than other age groups, and that this is more common for those travelling to Europe.  

No matter where your child is visiting, travel insurance adds a layer of protection in case the unexpected happens – whether that be medical emergencies, cancellations, lost possessions, stolen passports or much more. 

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What type of children’s travel insurance do you need .

There are a few options on how to cover your child depending upon if they are travelling alone or with adults.

If your child is travelling with relatives, then our family travel insurance policies may represent a good choice to cover all of your loved ones on one more easily manageable policy.

If your child is travelling with a group of friends or with non-family members then our group travel insurance allows you to cover the entire group under one policy. Or else you can elect to take out an individual travel insurance policy just for your child.

For children under 18 travelling alone our single trip travel insurance and backpacker travel insurance policies may represent the best fit. Single trip policies cover travel for up to 90-day holidays within any 180 day period and there is no lower age limit so no matter when they plan to travel they’ll be protected.

Our backpacker travel insurance is more suitable for gap year students or those planning a lengthy trip away. There is no lower age limit with these policies and they provide up to 365 days of continuous cover

We also offer annual multi-trip travel insurance , however, you should be aware that under-18s may only travel independently if travelling with at least one adult aged 18 or over and with the full knowledge and consent of an insured parent or guardian. This could be a good option for families travelling twice or more per year as it usually works out cheaper and the knowledge of knowing your covered for every trip you take in a 12 month period.

Importantly, remember that an adult over 18 will need to purchase the policy on behalf of the child.

What does our under-18s travel insurance cover?

Swipe to view more

Extra cover to consider alongside children’s travel insurance

Popular insurance types that may interest you.

Winter Sports and Ski Travel Insurance

Sports and Leisure Travel Insurance

Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

What is not covered

There are some circumstances or events where your children's travel insurance policy may not be able to provide cover, these include: 

• Undeclared medical conditions: Any existing conditions that you have which your child has which haven’t declared and accepted will not be covered.
• Extreme sport and activities not listed in the policy wording: There are some more adventurous activities which we may be unable to cover. A full list of activities included on our policies is available in the policy documents. Additional cover can be purchased for  winter sports and skiing insurance .
• Being under the influence or negligent behaviour: If your child needs to make a claim resulting from negligent behaviour, for example leaving their bags unattended, or from being under the influence or alcohol or non-prescription drugs then we may not be able to accept the claim.
• Any t ravel against FCDO advice

For more information on what isn't covered, please see the policy documents .

Frequently Asked Questions

Usually this is something that it organised by your child’s school, so it is worth checking with them as to what protection they have in place. In some cases, school policies may only cover third party liability.

If this is the case you may wish to purchase a separate policy for them to ensure that medical conditions, cancellations, loss or theft of belongings are covered, this is particularly important if you child has an existing medical condition. 

Our under 18s travel insurance policies can cover you for destinations across the world, just enter the destinations you’ll be visiting when getting a children’s travel insurance quote. If you are looking for annual multi trip cover then you’ll be asked to choose the region of travel from:

• Wordwide excluding the USA and Canada
• Worldwide including the USA and Canada

You should be aware that if you travel to a destination that the FCDO advises against travel to then you will not be covered. 

How to ensure you have the right cover

Does your bank or credit card company provide cover.

Many bank accounts and credit cards come with some level of travel insurance cover. While some may be comprehensive, they may not cover you for everything you have planned whilst you’re away, particularly if you have adventurous plans or unusual excursions booked. 

Make sure you look into the travel insurance policy that you have before every trip, to make sure it’s suitable for you and your plans.

Purchasing a holiday using a credit card means you are often protected by Consumer Protection cover. In most cases, it allows you to get your money returned to you if your provider defaults and you cannot travel.

Are you covered by ABTA or ATOL?

If you have booked a holiday through a tour operator or travel agent, it may be worth checking if you are covered by ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) or ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s License). This type of cover means that your package holiday is protected if, for example, the travel company providing your holiday arrangements or the travel agent themselves fail financially or close down.

Your travel agents will be able to tell you if your holiday is ABTA or ATOL protected. Alternatively, use the links provided to check your cover at home.

What is an EHIC or GHIC and what can it offer you?

Make A Claim?

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• Teenagers going on holiday without their parents

Having your son or daughter go on holiday without you for the first time can be one of the most traumatic experiences for a parent, but one of the most exciting for a teenager.

How old should they be to go? And where? What should they pack? Our guide may help prepare for the inevitable day when you wave them off.

Posted: 25/1/2022 | By Amanda Duffy

When can they go away without you?

If going abroad, the laws are different depending on which country your teen is going to. For instance, under-18s travelling to Portugal must have travel authorisation from their parents and could be refused entry if they can’t prove someone is taking responsibility for them during their stay. Other countries, such as Spain and Greece, are more lenient but you should check with the country’s  embassy  before booking.

It’s also worth checking with the airline as they all have different rules when it comes to under-18s travelling without their parents.

Make sure your children have travel insurance to protect them when they go.

Where should they go.

Of course, where your teenager goes on holiday is dependent on where they want to go and how comfortable you are with them going to certain parts of the world. Some teenagers will decide they want to stay close to home and stick to the UK, while others may want to jet off to Ibiza or explore an entire new continent. You need to consider how responsible they are, how much experience they have travelling alone , who they are going with, what they are going to be doing and, ultimately, how much you trust them.

Talking to your teen

It’s unlikely you will let your teenager leave the house without some words of advice, but rather than preaching and nagging, you should talk to them as an adult, explaining your concerns and getting them to think about how they would react in certain situations. Example situations on a teenage holiday without parents include what they would do if one of their friends drank too much and became unconscious, one of them had an injury, or they became separated from the group and needed to get back to their hotel. Your teen needs to be aware of the potential dangers of being on holiday, without being frightened or thinking the worst could happen.

What they should pack

When it comes to clothes and toiletries, your teen should know what they need by now – just make sure they have enough of them to last the length of their holiday. However, while running out of shampoo may not trouble your teen too much, making sure they have enough money and medication (if they require it) will. So check how much money they are taking and consider giving them an emergency credit card in case they get into trouble. If they take medication, include a letter from your child’s GP explaining what the medication is for.

As well as the all-important passport , tickets and Global Health Insurance Card ( Ghic ) – as well as copies of each – you should also make sure your child has adequate travel insurance to cover any medical bills or any lost or stolen valuables.

Package holidays

Package holidays are always going to be one of the best holidays for teenagers. A week in the sun with friends and the chance to party and meet new people may fill them with excitement but it is also likely to fill you with dread as a parent. The key point is that most travel companies will require either written parental permission or one of the travellers to be over 18. Check with the individual tour operator to make sure that your son or daughter has the correct permissions before they book.

UK holidays

For many, staying closer to home is the best holiday for a teenager travelling without their parents, perhaps staying in a caravan or a tent near a holiday town. But many caravan or camp sites won’t take groups of under-18s or single-sex groups, so you may have to search around for a suitable site or accommodation that will take them. However, youth hostels in the UK will accept those aged 16 and over, and there are hostels all over the UK.

Another option for a first teenage holiday without parents is one of the many music festivals that happen every summer up and down the UK. Over-16s can get into Reading and Leeds festivals, V Festival and Glastonbury without an adult. Some of the smaller festivals include Camp Bestival in Dorset and Latitude Festival in Suffolk.

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EU proposing post-Brexit joint youth work and study scheme with UK

According to the Commission, they do not foresee the scheme allowing UK citizens to travel around the Schengen area unimpeded, but rather the visa would only be valid for a single state.

By Adam Parsons, Europe correspondent, and Tim Baker, political reporter

Friday 19 April 2024 00:21, UK

Young people could be able to move more easily between the UK and Europe and stay longer to work, study and train under proposed plans by the European Union

Under the proposal, which has been put forward by the European Commission, new rules would be drawn up to allow for greater movement between the UK and EU countries for people aged between 18 and 30.

Formal negotiations have not yet begun, and a UK source told Sky News no formal proposal had been put forward by Brussels to begin negotiating on.

The proposal will be further discussed by the European Council, which represents all the nations, before negotiations start in earnest.

Politics latest: Police issues Mark Menzies update

The plans proposed by the EU would allow young people to stay in Europe for periods of four years, with the same rules extended to EU citizens coming to Britain.

It would also mean EU students paying the same fees as British ones. Since Brexit , UK universities have charged much higher fees to European students.

More on Brexit

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Related Topics:

• European Union

Announcing the move, the European Commission said it wanted to take an "innovative" approach to tackling the barriers experienced by young people looking to travel from the EU to the UK and vice versa for longer periods.

"The objective would be to facilitate youth exchanges, making it easier for young citizens to travel, work and live in the UK, with reciprocity for young UK nationals in a member state," said the Commission, in a statement.

"The United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union has hit young people in the EU and UK who would like to study, work and live abroad particularly hard," claimed Maros Sefcovic, the Commission's vice-president who oversees relations with the UK.

"Our aim is to rebuild human bridges between young Europeans on both sides of the Channel."

This scheme is separate to the 90-day visa-less travel that UK citizens can take advantage of on the continent.

It added: "It is not about conferring to young UK nationals the benefits of the fundamental freedom of movement enjoyed by EU citizens."

However, visas would not be "purpose-bound" and would allow people to work, travel or study.

Read more: UK to rejoin EU Horizon programme through new agreement New Brexit border post could be demolished

Rather than just being a free exchange, the EU also says it wants people taking part in the scheme to be subject to checks with the bloc or the UK able to reject applications - for example if someone was thought to be a threat to public policy, security or health.

The UK government currently has a series of agreements with 13 individual countries - including New Zealand, South Korea, Andorra, Iceland and India, which provide a similar pathway to what the EU is proposing.

The government has said it is open to the idea of extending those agreements with European countries, but has shied away from doing a pan-EU deal and there will be those who fear that an agreement such as this would be the first step towards the UK being drawn into a "freedom of movement" deal.

The EU said it wants a group deal to "ensure that all member states are treated equally in respect of mobility of young people to the UK" - but the current government seems to prefer its current set of agreements.

The Commission has rejected these fears, with sources insisting there is no intention of either pulling the UK into such a deal, or even offering it.

A Number 10 spokesperson said: "We have spoken about wanting to reduce legal migration and also about wanting to support UK talent and skills and that's why we have a system in place whereby we have a number of agreements with individual EU member states where that works in our interests and we have that rather than a Commission-wide agreement."

Labour denied it had plans for a youth mobility scheme.

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Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, a trade body representing the hospitality sector in the UK, welcomed the move.

She said: "Such an agreement would be a huge success for hospitality and tourism and, practically, it would solve challenges for the live music and events sectors."

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The politics stopping the UK from opening a youth mobility scheme with Europe

Senior Lecturer in Public Policy, Lancaster University

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Erica Consterdine does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Lancaster University provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation UK.

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Earlier this week, it seemed possible that young people in the UK might soon be able to travel freely to work and live in Europe again. The European Commission laid out proposals to open mobility to millions of 18- to 30-year-olds from the EU and UK, allowing them to work, study and live in respective states for up to four years.

But the government swiftly rejected the offer, saying that “free movement within the EU was ended”. The Labour party followed suit, saying it has “no plans for a youth mobility scheme” . This has already provoked an angry response from Britons young and old who are “furious” about the rejection of the scheme.

The commission has been strongly opposed to making any concessions to the UK since Brexit, so this could have been a breakthrough moment in a politically difficult area. The UK already runs youth mobility visa programmes with ten non-EU countries, most notably Australia. But the possibilities for a UK-EU scheme have so far been derailed by lingering concerns over the highly charged politics of free movement.

Since Brexit, the UK has been considering expanding the current scheme . In the run-up to Brexit withdrawal, expanding youth mobility was floated as a way to alleviate anticipated labour market shortages with the end of free movement. Ultimately, the politics were considered too toxic at the time to pursue this, and the government declined to enter into any negotiations on mobility.

A different approach

The commission’s proposals are far from being equivalent to free movement. The period of stay would have a time limit, and other conditions could be requirements for health insurance and proof of sufficient funds.

However, much of the rhetoric on the future for a “global Britain” after Brexit was underpinned by the UK’s new immigration system being blind to nationality. These youth mobility proposals would in some ways give preferential treatment to EU nationals through equivalent tuition fees to UK students, and exemptions from the UK’s NHS immigration surcharge.

The proposals also leave open the possibility of bringing family members, as the UK curtails these rights for other immigrants. The suggested time limit of four years is also longer than the two-year stay granted to the majority of existing youth mobility visa holders from non-EU countries.

Despite rejecting these latest proposals, it’s evident that the UK is open to some sort of exchange programme with EU states, but on its own terms . In 2023, the UK approached several EU member states, including France, with the intention of negotiating bilateral deals .

The government likely prefers a state-by-state approach in order to encourage immigration from certain nationalities while deterring it from central and eastern Europe, and to avoid replicating the kind of free movement that was considered a key factor in Brexit. The commission, on the other hand, prefers an EU-wide scheme to avoid preferential treatment, and is discouraging member states from signing deals with London.

While Labour’s rebuffing is indicative of their electoral strategy to ensure they don’t alienate Brexiteers, some senior Labour officials suggest the party is more open to a deal. After all, having no plans is not the same as completely ruling it out . Whoever forms the next government might reconsider.

The history of youth mobility

Young people around the world view cultural exchange schemes as a rite of passage. With the UK unwilling to associate with programmes like Erasmus+ or Creative Europe , the opportunities for young Britons and Europeans to benefit from cultural, educational and training exchanges are diminished . While the new Turing scheme has replaced Erasmus in the UK, this is not a reciprocal programme – meaning the UK does not benefit from European students studying in the UK.

Read more: The Turing scheme was supposed to help more disadvantaged UK students study abroad – but they may still be losing out

The UK’s youth mobility scheme is the oldest feature of the immigration regime. A vestige of Empire, it was originally set up in the postwar period to foster cultural exchange between Commonwealth states.

Originally called the working holidaymaker visa, it was intended as a route principally for cultural exchange and soft power, not labour. The scheme has long been based on a set annual quota, with varying numbers of visas available to participating states on a reciprocal basis.

Geopolitics and the legacies of colonialism have long been at the heart of the scheme . There are unlimited visas available to the so-called “old” Commonwealth states, particularly Australia, while other countries like Japan or Monaco face a cap with applicants entering into a ballot. Recently, more expansive rights for some participating states such as Australians and South Koreans include an older age limit and a longer period of stay .

The visa is temporary (two years), but liberal. There are no sponsorship requirements, meaning that visa holders can work in almost any part of the labour market. In 2022, 16,900 visas were granted , primarily to citizens of Australia (45%), New Zealand (19%) and Canada (16%).

As global demand for labour migration has increased, youth mobility schemes have been used to alleviate labour market demands. As a result, some schemes have introduced conditional attachments to work in rural agriculture or horticulture for a period.

Some in the UK have championed these latest proposals as a way to fill the stark labour market shortages. But the lack of sponsorship on the visa means the government has little idea or control over what sorts of jobs participants would occupy.

Temporary visa programmes are also ripe for worker exploitation . One EU official has questioned the UK’s motives in this regard, asking whether the intention of a scheme would be to bring in young Europeans “to get paid minimum wage rates, without the in-work benefits” .

A UK-EU scheme could be a boost to the economy, in particular for universities and those struggling with recruitment in hospitality and tourism. It could also be a positive concession for UK-EU relations, and most importantly, restore the opportunities young Britons and Europeans once had.

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• EU-UK relations
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People Are Sharing The "Not-So-Popular" Vacation Spots That Deserve WAY More Attention, And I'm Already Planning My Summer Vacation

"It's like Paris, only with a small fraction of the crowds..."

BuzzFeed Staff

Don't get me wrong, there's a reason why places like Paris, Tokyo, and Los Angeles are popular tourist destinations. These places have so much to offer visitors. But it's a great big world out there, full of hidden gems and lesser-traveled locales. So, redditor u/Hot-Vegetable3827 asked, "Which not-so-popular country is a must-visit?" Here's what people said, including some members of the BuzzFeed Community.

1. "hydra, greece. my wife and i just took a long greek honeymoon. one island we really liked that isn't as well known as santorini and mykonos was hydra. in fact, it was probably our favorite island. there isn't much to do or see there, but it was very laid back and chill. it was basically a vacation from our vacation, which we needed after a couple of busy days of sightseeing in athens and before we went partying in mykonos. there aren't any cars on the island, only donkeys, and it's very walkable and small.".

— flyerboy6

2. "Laos. I totally fell in love with every last thing about this country. The people are fantastic, the food is killer, and the landscape is just gorgeous."

— u/Westonworld

3. "Cartagena, Colombia. My wife and I went last year, and we have already planned our next visit. You can get there pretty easily and quickly from the US. There's cheap and delicious street food, friendly people, and nice weather all year round."

— u/Wakan_Tanka

"I always recommend Cartagena and the Rosario Islands. The whole week I spent there was cheap and incredible, and the Rosario Islands are on par with any tropical vacation spot but with hardly any tourists and extremely cheap."

— JessicaPage

4. "Slovenia. My wife was born there, and we go back every other year to see her family and friends. It's such a beautiful country. The secret is starting to get out now, especially Instagrammable places like Lake Bled and Predjama Grad. Granted, it's still nowhere near as crowded as similar countries like Croatia."

— u/gratusin

5. "Tunisia, especially Tunis and Monastir. I absolutely love it there. It's very cheap to visit, and the people are incredibly friendly."

— kimberlywilley1979

6. "Curaçao. I had an amazing beach vacation there. It was much cheaper than the more well-known and visited Caribbean islands."

— u/humancanvas79

7. "Oman. This Middle Eastern country has rugged mountains, desert dunes, historic forts, and amazing ships."

— u/Echo71Niner

8. "Sri Lanka. Damn, it is beautiful, and this country has it all: beaches, forests, mountains, ancient temples, and wildlife safaris. I loved the food there, including lots of curry. The beach areas offer a lot more culinary variety, like lots of fresh seafood."

— u/blahblahrasputan

9. "Ghent, Belgium is an incredible city. It's vibrant, historic, and fun! I would highly recommend a visit."

— laughingcaptain56

10. "Malta. You'll find delicious food (it's sort of a mix of Arabic and Italian influences) and lots of historical places like ancient ruins. The capital, Valletta, is beautiful, and there are also two smaller islands called Gozo and Comino that you can visit. There's also extensive public transport, so it's easy to get around if you don't drive. I can't recommend it enough if you're the sort of person who's into exploring history, food, and culture."

— u/TheKnightsTippler

11. "Belfast is underrated, IMO. I wanted to revisit Dublin, but hotel prices are absolutely wild at the moment, so I went to Belfast instead. I found that it was a very interesting city with excellent food, pubs, music, culture, and proximity to the countryside for day trips. Everyone I met in the city was funny and friendly."

12. "Lyon. It’s a two-hour train ride from Paris but with a fraction of the population. It’s like the Florence of France with its walkability and world-class cuisine."

13. "Kazakhstan. Stunning nature and landscapes, a unique cuisine, and friendly people who are really generous to guests. It's also home to some fascinating archaeological sites."

— u/Meorazhar

14. "New Mexico. People who live in the US don't realize how unique and beautiful the landscape is. The drive from Española to Taos is probably one of my favorite in the world. The food really is second to none. Plus, there's a Balloon Fiesta. Enough said."

— rachadach23

15. "I absolutely love Guatemala. If you can speak even a little bit of Spanish, it's even better. Fly in, leave Guatemala City, and make Antigua your base. There's enough to see in Antigua and the surrounding areas that it can be a whole vacation alone, but there are also many places to visit on a day or overnight trip from Antigua."

— u/ShitfacedGrizzlyBear

16. "Bolivia. It has an amazing landscape, it's spotlessly clean, the people are friendly, and there's a lot of fun to be had if you want to party. I haven't been back in ten years, and I hope it's still as lovely. It holds a special place in my heart."

— u/canntrelaxneverrelax

17. "Jordan. Petra is easily the coolest thing I’ve ever seen with my own eyes. Pictures do not do it justice at all. You could fit elephants through the door of the Treasury. It’s wild."

18. "Mongolia. There's really only one big city, Ulan Bator, and one or two days there is enough. But that countryside! It's so beautiful. I went out to a camp where I was set up with a ger (a Mongolian yurt), and you just hang out in the beauty of nature."

— u/da_choppada

19. "Sapporo, Japan. My husband and I went to this city on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, and it was spectacular! When most people think about traveling to Japan, they think of Tokyo, but Sapporo is much less touristy, the mountains around the city are incredibly beautiful, and the food is to die for. A scenic hour-long bus ride takes you to the old city of Otaru, best known for its glass-blowing industry and beautiful canals. The subway system is amazing, and the people are friendly and helpful. I've been to a few places in my travels, but Sapporo stands out as the best so far. We already vowed to go back someday."

— Luckie11eleven

Do you have somewhere to add? What's an often overlooked destination that should be way more popular? Tell us in the comments or drop it into this Google form.

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British railways under Tories are symbol of national decline, says Labour

Party plans to nationalise network and ‘unlock the trapped potential’ of rail to drive economic growth across the country

Britain’s railways have become a “symbol of national decline” under the Conservatives, the shadow transport secretary has said, announcing Labour’s plans to nationalise the rail network within five years in government.

In a speech at Trainline headquarters on Thursday, Louise Haigh said “today’s broken model simply doesn’t work”, with train cancellations at a record high and fares having risen almost twice as fast as wages since 2010.

Jody Ford, the chief executive of the travel company, echoed Haigh’s words, saying rail had “significant power and potential” to drive economic growth into all parts of the country’s communities.

Haigh said: “Our railways are critical to making our country a better, wealthier and happier place. We can only achieve our five national missions if we unlock the trapped potential of our railways to boost growth, and opportunity and to connect all of us with each other, with work and with pleasure.”

Haigh said a Labour government would establish Great British Railways, which she described as a “single directing mind to control our railways in the passenger interest”. She joked she was not allowed to call the nationalised railway “Rail Britannia” and would not rule out an endorsement of her plan from the Conservative former transport secretary Grant Shapps.

Asked why Labour could not guarantee cheaper and more affordable train tickets under their plans, Haigh said it was Labour’s “ambition” to make fares cheaper but “simplification is our first priority” via the party’s best fare guarantee scheme.

Keir Starmer vowed to bring an end to the “Tory boom and bust” cycle for the rail industry, after visiting Hitachi’s rail manufacturing plant in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, where 700 jobs are at risk, and a further 1,400 jobs at risk across its supply chain.

The rail minister, Huw Merriman, has been accused of dismissing the job losses as “natural peaks and troughs”. Starmer said: “The workforce here at Hitachi is staring down the barrel of job losses. This was not inevitable.”

“After 14 years of chaos and uncertainty, [this Tory government] has left our rail manufacturing sector teetering on the brink,” he added.

Haigh accepted that the plan would take time, as the final private operator contract with a core term was not due to expire until 2029. “We’d expect all contracts to be brought under Great British Railways by that time,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “It will take time; there’s no overnight fixes to a very complex system. We’re not starry eyed about this.”

But a Labour government would immediately be able to create a “shadow Great British Railways [organisation] to fire the starting gun on reform” and ensure the party did not lose time or momentum. It would bring together key players including Network Rail and the Rail Delivery Group, before primary legislation was passed to formally establish GBR as an arm’s length body.

“The Conservative party has achieved the worst of all worlds for our railways, partially privatised, overly centralised, expensive, but unreliable, confusing and shamefully unaccountable,” Haigh said.

She quoted Shapps, who once said: “Unlike most privatisations, that of the railways has never become publicly accepted, because its failings have remained all too obvious … The fragmentation of the network has made it more confusing for passengers, and more difficult and expensive to perform the essentially collaborative task of running trains on time.”

Haigh also vowed to see the “workforce as an asset rather than a liability” but she refused to commit to a pay increase because she had “not seen the books” and “wouldn’t do that in an unfunded way”. But she vowed to meet the unions on day one in order to solve the strikes that she said were costing £25m a day.

• Rail industry
• Rail transport
• Rail strikes
• Transport policy

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