British people did not vote to make their European summer holidays more difficult when a majority voted for Brexit eight years ago. That issue – like so many others – never even came up during the campaign. Nor was there anything in Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal to address it. But it was never likely that travel to the EU would be unaffected by the UK’s withdrawal. Now, such visits are about to get a bit more difficult and a bit more irksome in future.
Hundreds of thousands of Britons are on holiday in Europe right now. When the new post-Brexit changes come into force, however, it is likely that there will be an outcry from the very same politicians and newspapers that campaigned so loudly against the EU and all its works. The Labour government should be preparing its response now.
The first change is the EU’s new entry/exit system that will replace the current stamping of UK passports in November. This electronic system will require most non-EU travellers (including the British) to most European countries to have their photo and fingerprints checked along with their passports. The second change is the EU’s prior authorisation travel system (Etias), which is expected to start in the first half of 2025. This will require most non-EU visitors (again including the British) to complete the relevant forms online before travelling, at the cost of €7 for each three-year Etias authorisation.
These are not unreasonable border controls in the modern era. The UK has similar schemes for visitors here. So do countries such as the US. Everyone will hope everything will work smoothly. However, it is highly possible that the introductory months will at best cause some unforeseen queues and delays, and at worst confusion, glitches and even angry scenes. Both the EU and the UK have an interest in minimising this.
It is not yet clear how far Labour is prepared to compromise in its general relations with the EU going forward. Some willingness is undoubtedly there. But the government will know a piecemeal approach on issues like holidaymakers’ border controls is not going to suffice. The EU is better disposed towards the Starmer government than to its predecessors. But any compromises with the UK will have implications for other non-EU countries such as Albania and Serbia. Brussels will also need to be confident that a future Conservative government will not throw aside agreements made by Labour.
Exactly these issues would be raised if reports this week that Britain wants to ease freedom of movement controls to allow young Europeans to work and live in the UK prove to be accurate. So would the hugely important question of the fees that UK higher and further education bodies would be able to charge for European students under any UK re-engagement with the Erasmus exchange scheme. These are not simple matters, and some EU countries and officials will be determined to drive a hard bargain.
The ball is in Britain’s court on all of this. The government’s wish to reset relations with Europe is absolutely welcome. This will involve making concessions to the EU. That is bound to trigger indignation from the usual quarters. But the government must be steely. Britain has an overwhelming national interest in a closer and more harmonious relationship with Europe. And millions of British people of all political persuasions want to be able to go there and to work there as easily as possible for many years to come.
