Future EU – UK relations on culture and education

Subject: Future EU – UK relations on culture and education

Education and culture are by far one of the most important priorities and treasures of the European Union. The UK’s decision to leave the EU and withdraw from the Erasmus+ programme has affected the lives of millions of UK and EU students, reducing their chances of experiencing the benefits of this life-changing and culturally enriching programme, which also allows participants to gain experience. Furthermore, the UK has also cut ties with the EU for cultural exchanges, creating many uncertainties for musicians, artists and everyone in the cultural and creative sectors.

1. Is the Commission working on some kind of alternative programme for EU students wishing to study at UK universities?

2. What about freedom of movement for cultural and creative workers, artists and musicians travelling between the EU and the UK for business purposes? Will they be able to travel to the UK to perform without visas and restrictions?

Answer given by Ms Gabriel on behalf of the European Commission

(3 June 2021)

1. The Commission does not plan an alternative programme for EU students wishing to study at United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) universities. The Erasmus+ programme will remain the financial tool to support mobility and cooperation in the EU in the field of education at all levels. The UK will be considered as a third country not associated to the programme, and activities open to third country participation will remain possible. For example, Erasmus Mundus students will be able to study at UK universities that deliver these Master programmes. There will be a limited opening of outgoing credit mobility, which will benefit EU students wishing to study in third countries not associated to the Erasmus+ programme, including the UK. All ongoing activities financed through the 2014-2020 Erasmus+ programme can continue as planned until their completion.

2. The UK has chosen to no longer allow the free movement of EU citizens to the UK. In negotiations on its future relationship with the EU, the UK refused to include a chapter on mobility in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, despite the EU offering to do so (1) and despite both parties’ agreement in the joint Political Declaration to establish non-discriminatory ‘mobility arrangements’. These choices mean that UK nationals, including artists, wanting to undertake ‘paid activities’ in the EU may be required by the host Member State to have a work permit and/or a visa (2). This also means that EU artists wishing to undertake paid activities in the UK are advised to check the requirements with the relevant consular authorities.

⋅1∙ https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/draft-text-agreement-new-partnership-united-kingdom_en

⋅2∙ cf. art. 6(3) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806.