Commission says Britons will only be given short visa-free visits if policy is reciprocated by UK

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The EU has ratcheted up the pressure on Theresa May’s cabinet to agree on a deal by publishing a fresh batch of no-deal plans including the warning that it will allow UK nationals to make short visa-free visits to EU destinations only if the policy is reciprocated by the British government.

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With the Brexit negotiations at their most intense, and Downing Street seeking to get agreement among ministers within the next 24 hours to secure a November summit, the commission made public its emergency preparations.

They range from residency and visa-related issues to financial services, air transport, customs, the transfer of personal data, and climate policy.

Among the contingency plans, is a proposal to allow British nationals to enjoy visa-free visits for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, but only if the UK government offers the same terms to EU nationals. After 90 days, a British national would be regarded as illegally over-staying.

“This proposal is entirely conditional upon the UK also granting reciprocal and non-discriminatory visa-free travel for all EU member states, in line with the principle of visa reciprocity,” an official said.

Frans Timmermans, the vice-president of the European commission, warned: “We will do upon you what you do upon us.”

The two negotiating teams appear to be now largely agreed on the legal text on the thorny issue of avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, with the real test now being whether the prime minister can get a deal past cabinet. “We are not there yet”, Timmermans said.

The EU documents published on Monday, held back earlier in the year due to the sensitivity of the talks, warn that a no deal Brexit will cause “inevitable disruption” only the very worst aspects of which can be mitigated against.

Brussels has warned British travellers:

* they would be subject to extra border checks on the duration and purpose of their travel and will lose access to the EU lane at passport control. Passports will also have to have at least three months validity left to be recognised.

* luggage may be subject to customs checks, and there will be limits on the amount of tobacco and alcohol that travellers bring into the bloc.

* pet passports will no longer be valid and “those travelling from the UK to the EU with pets should check” whether they need a new “third country pet passport, or an animal health certificate”.

* mutual recognition of driving licences will no longer apply and further documents may be needed to use a car on the continent.

* passengers may not be due compensation in case of delays and cancellations of UK flights, as well as ship, bus, coach and rail travel.

The commission said it would act on a temporary basis to mitigate some of the worst disruption for citizens and businesses.

UK airliners will be allowed to continue to land on its territory, although carriers such as Ryanair and British Airways parent International Airline Group who do not have more than 50% EU ownership will not be able to keep their European operating licences.

The level of mitigation for the road haulage is also limited o 5 per cent of existing traffic.

“While the European commission is working hard for a deal, and continues to put citizens first in the negotiations, the UK’s withdrawal will undoubtedly cause disruption – for example in business supply chains – whether or not there is a deal,” the commission said. “Contingency measures cannot remedy the full effects of this disruption.

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“In the event of a no-deal scenario, these disruptions will be even more significant and the speed of preparations would have to increase significantly. Contingency measures in narrowly defined areas may, exceptionally, be needed in order to protect the interests and the integrity of the EU.”

A UK government spokesperson said: “We welcome the proposal by the European Commission which reflects the future relationship that the UK wants with the rest of the EU.

“We have been clear in our proposals that we want to ensure reciprocal measures on visa-free travel for tourists and short term business visitors with the EU.”

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