Introduction
Since Brexit, British citizens have been subject to the EU’s 90/180-day rule, restricting them to no more than 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen Zone. This limitation has caused significant frustration, particularly among second-home owners, business operators, and long-term travelers who need extended stays in Europe.
Now, the ‘France Visa Free’ group is leading a campaign, urging UK lawmakers to push for a policy review that would allow Britons to stay in Schengen countries for up to 180 days visa-free—a move that could reshape post-Brexit travel rights.
Key Takeaways
- ‘France Visa Free’ is lobbying UK MPs to negotiate with the EU for a more flexible visa waiver.
- The group is pushing for a 180-day visa-free arrangement, similar to the UK’s rules for EU citizens.
- Many Britons with second homes or businesses in the EU are facing major disruptions due to the strict 90-day limit.
- A UK Cabinet Minister has confirmed that mobility rights remain a priority, but negotiations with the EU remain uncertain.
- Supporters argue a reciprocal deal could benefit both UK citizens and European economies reliant on British visitors.
Why Britons Are Fighting to Extend Their Stays
Before Brexit, UK citizens enjoyed unlimited freedom of movement within the EU, allowing them to spend months or even years abroad without bureaucratic hurdles. But since leaving the EU, Britons are now treated as third-country nationals, meaning they must strictly follow Schengen visa rules.
This has created serious challenges for:
- Second-home owners who previously spent half the year in France, Spain, or Italy.
- Remote workers and entrepreneurs who travel frequently between the UK and Europe.
- Retirees and long-term travelers accustomed to extended European stays.
While the UK allows EU nationals to visit for up to six months without a visa, Britons must adhere to the far stricter 90-day rule—a discrepancy that has fueled growing frustration.
Campaigning for a 180-Day Visa-Free Deal
The ‘France Visa Free’ movement, founded by Steven Jolly, is gaining traction, calling on UK MPs to raise this issue with the Prime Minister and senior ministers. Their goal? To negotiate a reciprocal agreement allowing Britons to stay in Schengen countries for 180 days, visa-free.
Supporters argue that such a deal would benefit both sides, boosting tourism, property investment, and local economies in European destinations popular with British visitors.
Will the UK Government Take Action?
MP Mark Pritchard has already questioned the UK government on whether it would seek a fairer visa arrangement with the EU. In response, Cabinet Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds acknowledged the issue but pointed out that post-Brexit mobility rules are based on separate agreements between the UK and the EU.
However, he reassured that the government remains open to discussions and will continue to monitor the situation.
Opinion: A Necessary Step to Fix Post-Brexit Travel Disruptions
In my view, this is not just about visas—it’s about fairness. The current system disproportionately limits British citizens while giving EU nationals a much more flexible arrangement in the UK.
A 180-day reciprocal visa deal would be a logical compromise, benefiting both UK travelers and European businesses. It would allow Britons to spend more time in their homes abroad, support local economies, and travel more freely, all without requiring complex bureaucracy or visa applications.
If the UK and EU are serious about maintaining strong relations, addressing this unequal travel restriction should be a priority.
Conclusion
The ‘France Visa Free’ campaign highlights an urgent post-Brexit issue that thousands of UK travelers, homeowners, and businesspeople now face. While the UK government acknowledges the problem, a formal agreement with the EU is still uncertain.
For many Britons, a 180-day visa-free deal would not only restore their pre-Brexit freedom of movement, but also strengthen UK-EU ties at a time when cooperation is more important than ever.
Source – schengen.news
