The UK and the EU have agreed to work towards a ‘youth experience’ scheme. This is likely to include a form of youth mobility scheme that could have significant implications for employers across the UK.
Since Brexit and the end of free movement, many UK employers have struggled to find straightforward immigration solutions to situations where they want to offer internships or work placements or graduate programmes to EU nationals to work in the UK for short periods of time or for lower skilled jobs. A UK-EU youth mobility program would be welcomed by many UK employers as an easy way to recruit EU nationals at the start of their career.
We outline below the key features of the proposed scheme and what HR teams should be considering.
Background
In December 2025, the UK and EU agreed a Common Understanding on strengthening bilateral cooperation 2025 UK–EU Strategic Partnership Agreement. This included an agreement to work towards a youth mobility scheme (amongst other things).
What is being proposed?
The proposed scheme would likely create a dedicated visa route for young people aged 18 to 30 from both the UK and the EU. This would allow them to live and undertake activities in the UK or the EU (as the case may be) for up to four years. A cap on numbers may apply. Permitted activities under the scheme are expected to include work, study, au-pairing, volunteering and travel.
Crucially, this would not be limited to students - it would encompass young workers, making it directly relevant to recruitment for UK employers.
Where do negotiations stand?
Negotiations are ongoing, with the parties due to meet in June 2026 to assess progress. Several issues remain unresolved. These include whether British young people would gain access to individual Member States or to the EU as a whole, whether numerical caps will be imposed, and the basis on which EU nationals would access UK university tuition fees.
The issue of tuition fees is critical. One key point is whether EU youth mobility participants who study rather than work should pay home or overseas student rates. This issue has proved particularly contentious, given the financial pressures facing the UK higher education sector.
What does this mean for employers?
The UK already operates youth mobility schemes with a number of countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan and India, so employers will be used to employing people who have such visas.
From an employer’s perspective this type of visa is very straightforward as the individual normally applies for it themselves and pays a fee. The employer just needs to carry out right to work checks and to ensure that the individual does not work beyond their visa expiry date. Such visas are flexible in that the individual can undertake work of any skill level and in any job.
A UK-EU scheme could therefore open up a significant new talent pipeline, particularly for sectors that have experienced labour shortages since Brexit. Employers should note that participants on such schemes are typically permitted to work for any employer without the need for sponsorship under the points-based system.
While the final terms of any scheme remain to be agreed, employers — particularly those with entry-level or early-career roles — would be well advised to monitor developments closely. The introduction of a youth mobility visa could materially affect recruitment strategies.
Next steps
We will continue to track the progress of negotiations and will provide further updates as the terms of the scheme become clearer. In the meantime, if you have any questions about how the proposed youth mobility visa might affect your organisation, please get in touch with a member of our Employment & Immigration team.
