Youth Mobility Schemes (YMS) are reciprocal schemes that allow young people (usually aged 18-30) to live, work, and study in participating countries for a set period. The UK already has such schemes with several countries around the world.

Since Brexit, British young people have lost the right to study and work in European countries. As the Government puts it “International youth mobility helps young people explore new cultures, languages and societies, all while developing life skills and improving their job prospects for the future.”

Nowhere is this more important than with our closest neighbours.

What are the benefits of YMS?

1. Career development: gain international experience and develop skills and qualifications valued by employers. It fosters networking opportunities, enhancing career prospects abroad and in the UK.
2. Educational and cultural exchange: allows young people to study and live abroad and promotes new language skills.
3. Economic advantages: strengthens the workforce by letting young people fill seasonal or temporary positions, addressing gaps in the UK and EU markets. Returning participants bring new skills, contributing to innovation and growth in local industries.
4. Strengthens the partner countries’ relationship.

Are there any existing Youth Mobility Agreements in place?

Mutual agreements already exist between the UK and many non-EU countries – see below for details. Arrangements so far have been quota-based and reciprocal.

Why YMS is NOT freedom of movement?

One common misconception promoted by those who supported Brexit about YMS schemes is that they are part of ‘freedom of movement’. Yet, in explicit contrast to freedom of movement, these schemes set out clear terms and conditions under which any young person -participants are restricted by the visa regarding their length of stay, often capped at a few years. There are also limits on work activities and the type of employment, allowing for structured, temporary exchanges rather than permanent migration.

Entering into negotiating a YMS scheme with Europe would, therefore enable the UK to agree on the terms and conditions for use. For example, currently, no YMS scheme visa holder can claim public benefits or benefits in the UK, including income support, housing benefits, child benefits, tax credits or housing assistance. So, too, the Government could set a cap on the number of spaces on any scheme – this cap can include how long someone can stay as well as how many visas can be issued.

What was the EU’s proposal to the Labour Government?

In April 2024, the EU put forward a proposed YMS scheme to the UK. This followed attempts by the previous Conservative Government to negotiate individual YMS schemes with countries including Germany, Sweden, The Czech Republic and Poland.

The collective scheme proposed allowing UK citizens aged 18-30 to study and work in one other European country for up to four years, along with a reciprocal agreement for a specific number of EU citizens of the same age to come to the UK for the same period. This proposal included specific conditions to qualify, including obtaining health insurance and demonstrating sufficient financial resources, as well as having a named educational place or job offer. The EU's proposal also included allowing EU citizens to pay home students’ tuition fees while studying in the UK, as they did before Brexit. To date, the Labour government has yet to comment on whether it would support waiving international fees for YMS participants, considering the potential financial impact on higher education revenue.

In April 2024 both the Conservatives and Labour officially rejected this proposal. The EU has been clear that a YMS scheme is a key component of ‘resetting’ the relationship between the UK and EU – therefore in October 2024, UK Labour Ministers admitted talks were continuing on what a future YMS scheme could look like. The EU has also indicated it would be happy to reconsider the original conditions set out above including the length of time, the number of countries a young person from the UK could attend and the conditions of access to education.

Why does this motion matter?

This motion calls for the UK to negotiate a YMS scheme so that young people in the UK can benefit from such a proposal- whether in being able to take a job offer in Europe, study or undertake an apprenticeship. It does not specify the terms and conditions of this- including whether or not young people from Europe should pay home fees if studying in a UK university- but calls on the Labour Government to agree formally to negotiating such a scheme because of the benefits to our economy and our young citizens. By supporting this motion this CLP would be showing the importance of securing for the young people of the UK vital opportunities to further their personal and professional development as well as supporting our economy.

Join the Labour Movement for Europe here or donate here if you would like to support our work.