UK's new Labour government reportedly rejects youth mobility deal with Spain
The UK's Labour government has reportedly rejected our bilateral working holiday visa agreement with Spain. Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a recent meeting with
his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez, where it is believed that he ruled out
the deal on a bilateral working holiday visa deal. The UK currently has youth
mobility schemes with 13 non-EU countries, including popular destinations such as New
Zealand, Australia and Japan. However, there are no such agreements with EU countries
reflecting the UK's stance on not rejoining the single market or customs union, nor reintroducing
freedom of movement. The news will come as a blow to youngsters in Spain and the UK
after hopes were raised by news reports suggesting Sanchez had approached Starmer
about a possible deal at a meeting of European leaders on July 18th at Blenheim Palace
The deal would allow young Spanish people to live and work in the UK, with Brits aged between 18
and 30 able to head to Spain without current post-Brexit visa restrictions
In April, prior to the general election, Starmer rejected the idea of an EU-wide youth mobility
deal floated by officials in Brussels amid fears such a move would increase net migration figures
The deal was also criticised by figures within the EU who accused the UK of trying to
divide and conquer Europe by striking bilateral deals with individual countries