Senior UK and EU officials confirmed on 1 December that negotiations are under way for Britain to rejoin the Erasmus+ student-exchange programme by the 2027 academic year. The dialogue, opened at the May 2025 UK-EU summit, also covers a parallel “youth mobility agreement” granting reciprocal 12- to 24-month work visas for citizens aged 18-30.
Rejoining Erasmus would reverse the post-Brexit withdrawal that saw UK universities pivot to the smaller-scale Turing Scheme. Universities UK says Erasmus participants are 23 per cent more likely to acquire international roles early in their careers, and the Confederation of British Industry argues that restoring the programme will make the UK more attractive to multinational R&D investors.
![UK–EU Talks Edge Forward: Erasmus Re-Entry and Reciprocal Youth Mobility on Negotiating Table]()
The mooted youth-mobility deal mirrors existing schemes with Australia, Canada and Japan but would apply across all 27 EU member states. Sources in Brussels suggest quotas of 40,000 visas a year, renewable once, with sectoral caps to address British concerns about labour-market impact. The Home Office is reportedly open to a “one-in, one-out” model tying the quota to reductions in low-skilled migration.
For global-mobility professionals, an EU youth scheme would create a new pipeline of junior talent able to work in the UK without sponsorship costs, easing pressure on graduate and skilled-worker visa allocations. Companies should, however, prepare onboarding processes that capture right-to-work evidence specific to the new visa category.
Negotiators caution that political hurdles remain, especially around dispute-resolution mechanisms and recognition of professional qualifications. Yet both sides say Erasmus and youth mobility are “low-hanging fruit” that could be agreed even if wider defence-co-operation talks remain stalled. A joint statement is expected at the next Partnership Council meeting in February 2026.
Rejoining Erasmus would reverse the post-Brexit withdrawal that saw UK universities pivot to the smaller-scale Turing Scheme. Universities UK says Erasmus participants are 23 per cent more likely to acquire international roles early in their careers, and the Confederation of British Industry argues that restoring the programme will make the UK more attractive to multinational R&D investors.
The mooted youth-mobility deal mirrors existing schemes with Australia, Canada and Japan but would apply across all 27 EU member states. Sources in Brussels suggest quotas of 40,000 visas a year, renewable once, with sectoral caps to address British concerns about labour-market impact. The Home Office is reportedly open to a “one-in, one-out” model tying the quota to reductions in low-skilled migration.
For global-mobility professionals, an EU youth scheme would create a new pipeline of junior talent able to work in the UK without sponsorship costs, easing pressure on graduate and skilled-worker visa allocations. Companies should, however, prepare onboarding processes that capture right-to-work evidence specific to the new visa category.
Negotiators caution that political hurdles remain, especially around dispute-resolution mechanisms and recognition of professional qualifications. Yet both sides say Erasmus and youth mobility are “low-hanging fruit” that could be agreed even if wider defence-co-operation talks remain stalled. A joint statement is expected at the next Partnership Council meeting in February 2026.
