The European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee adopted on Tuesday 29 January a draft resolution by Claude Moraes (S&D, UK) granting a visa-free regime to British citizens wishing to travel to the European Union for short stays, whether or not there is an agreement on the departure of the UK from the EU.
This proposal, adopted by a very large majority, is expected to be confirmed on Wednesday 30 January at Parliament's mini plenary session in Brussels. It echoes the Commission's November initiative proposing a visa-free regime for short-term stays of British nationals in the EU (see EUROPE 12136).
The Commission also allowed that this scheme should be granted in the event of exit without agreement, with implementation from 30 March 2019, on condition that the United Kingdom does the same for European citizens.
The draft parliamentary report, which was discussed according to the urgency procedure, incorporates the same provisions and insists on the reciprocity expected from the United Kingdom.
However, British nationals should still have to pay the sum of 7 euros to obtain a travel authorisation in the EU for three years, as the ETIAS system now requires for citizens of third countries exempt from visa requirements (see EUROPE 12056).
The Council of the European Union has not yet taken a negotiating position. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)