The European Parliament has agreed to legislation that will allow UK citizens to travel to Europe without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-period after Brexit.
The European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs agreed that once the UK finally leaves the EU, its citizens should be granted with a Schengen Visa waiver given that the UK reciprocates the move.
Sergei Stanishev from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats said the vote was an important step for “guaranteeing the right to visa-free travel for European and British citizens after Brexit, especially in the case of no deal”.
There are conditions though. If the UK happens to introduce a visa regime to any EU members, the whole EU will immediately reciprocate the measure.
Chief Executive of the Association of British Travel Agents, Mark Tanzer said, for UK holidaymakers the vote provided “absolute certainty that they will be able to travel visa-free to Europe, deal or no deal”.
“While it is encouraging that these issues have been addressed, securing a deal is very much the preferred outcome, and we encourage parliamentarians to explore all options to avoid a no deal.”
Chief Executive of the Association of British Travel Agents
Border checks, however, are set to become stricter. As it strands, a UK passport entitles the holder to travel anywhere in the EU up to and including the date of expiry.
After a no-deal Brexit, tighter rules would come into play that would end the automatic right of entry.
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- READ: AUSSIES WARNED: Make sure your visa is right post Brexit