British nationals will be able to enter EU visa-free, MEPs agree

The European Parliament has backed rules allowing British nationals to enter the EU visa-free as long as EU nationals travelling to the UK enjoy the same conditions.

The exemption approved on Tuesday by MEPs on the Civil Liberties Committee will apply for stays of up to 90 days and will kick in if the UK leaves the EU.

However, MEPs agreed that the visa waiver is conditional on EU citizens being granted the same advantage when visiting the UK.

The draft text states that if the UK introduces a visa requirement for nationals of at least one member state, “the reciprocity mechanism foreseen in EU legislation should apply”. This may lead to visa requirements for UK nationals being reintroduced.

The rules will have to be approved by the plenary and the European Council. Once this happens, the UK would be included in the list of countries whose nationals do not need to request a visa to enter the EU for business, tourism or to visit relatives or friends.

The visa exemption does not provide for the right to work in the EU.

Only last week, the Maltese government announced a series of measures it would be taking to prepare for a no-deal exit of the UK from the EU.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said Malta wanted to remain a friendly place for UK nationals after Brexit by making the transition as seamless as possible for British people living and working in Malta.

Malta will introduce a special 10-year residency permit for UK nationals and those living here will not be asked to pay a fee when applying for the special status.