In a move laden with symbolism, the Starmer government confirmed this week that the United Kingdom will re-enter the EU’s Erasmus+ exchange scheme from September 2026. The decision—part of the UK-EU ‘youth mobility chapter’ negotiated last month—opens fully funded study, apprenticeship and youth-work placements for up to 30,000 UK participants a year.
Unlike the previous pre-Brexit arrangement, the new deal extends beyond universities to further-education colleges, vocational institutes and disadvantaged youth programmes. The Department for Education will cover the UK’s £580 million annual contribution through a mix of Treasury funding and re-purposed Turing Scheme grants.
![UK rejoins Erasmus+ as Labour signals wider mobility reset with EU]()
Rejoining Erasmus+ is the clearest indication yet that Labour intends to rebuild practical ties with Europe even while ruling out single-market membership. Business groups welcomed the announcement, noting that short-term work placements under Erasmus+ will be exempt from the 90/180-day Schengen-area limit—useful for firms rotating apprentices between EU and UK sites.
If you’re wondering how to secure the new Erasmus Mobility Visa or any other travel documentation, VisaHQ can simplify the process with step-by-step online applications, real-time updates and dedicated customer support. Learn more or start your application at https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/.
The Home Office confirmed that participants will receive fee-free ‘Erasmus Mobility Visas’ valid for up to 12 months, with digital status stored in the UK e-Visa system. Sponsors must still perform safeguarding checks, but the exemption removes the Immigration Skills Charge, shaving roughly £1,300 off placement costs. Universities UK predicts the scheme will inject £1.2 billion into regional economies through rent and living-cost spending by inbound students.
Unlike the previous pre-Brexit arrangement, the new deal extends beyond universities to further-education colleges, vocational institutes and disadvantaged youth programmes. The Department for Education will cover the UK’s £580 million annual contribution through a mix of Treasury funding and re-purposed Turing Scheme grants.
Rejoining Erasmus+ is the clearest indication yet that Labour intends to rebuild practical ties with Europe even while ruling out single-market membership. Business groups welcomed the announcement, noting that short-term work placements under Erasmus+ will be exempt from the 90/180-day Schengen-area limit—useful for firms rotating apprentices between EU and UK sites.
If you’re wondering how to secure the new Erasmus Mobility Visa or any other travel documentation, VisaHQ can simplify the process with step-by-step online applications, real-time updates and dedicated customer support. Learn more or start your application at https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/.
The Home Office confirmed that participants will receive fee-free ‘Erasmus Mobility Visas’ valid for up to 12 months, with digital status stored in the UK e-Visa system. Sponsors must still perform safeguarding checks, but the exemption removes the Immigration Skills Charge, shaving roughly £1,300 off placement costs. Universities UK predicts the scheme will inject £1.2 billion into regional economies through rent and living-cost spending by inbound students.
