EU MPs approve law allowing Britons visa-free visits even after no-Deal Brexit, on basis of reciprocity
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Update: The European Parliament approved on Thursday a law granting Britons the right to travel to the European Union without a visa after Brexit. Britons will be able to stay in the EU visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The text specifically states that the post-Brexit visa waiver will only be granted if the UK implements a similar measure for EU citizens.
Earlier:
European Union lawmakers approved a law Wednesday that will allow Britons visa-free visits even after a “no deal” Brexit, despite a furious dispute over the status of Gibraltar, France 24 reports.
The European Parliament’s justice committee approved the text of the law that already had the backing of member states and should now be formally confirmed.
Implementation will depend on Britain according EU citizens reciprocal rights, but it has said it will do so and the principle of the law has broad support.
Nevertheless, the text itself triggered a bitter row in Brussels, after member states — at Spain’s urging — referred in a footnote to the draft to Gibraltar as a “colony of the British crown”.
The United Nations does legally list Gibraltar as a “non-self-governing territory”, but Britain insists it is part of “the UK family” and that its citizens freely voted to remain British.
Britain’s decision to leave the EU has revived controversy over Spain’s long-standing claim on the territory, against the backdrop of Spanish elections.
