BREXIT: Britons might need to pay for permission to visit EU - EU Secretary

EU Secretary, Amber Rudd

Britons could be forced to pay for permission to travel to the EU after Brexit, the home secretary has admitted, warning that the restrictions are likely to form part of the negotiations over departure.

In her first significant interview since taking over the post in July, Amber Rudd said the possible need to apply for permission to travel under a visa waiver scheme being considered by the European commission was not the preferred option but could not be discounted.

Asked on BBC1’s The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday if UK nationals might be shocked to have to pay for permission to visit France, Rudd replied: “I think they would be surprised. I don’t think it’s particularly desirable, but we don’t rule it out, because we have to be allowed a free hand to get the best negotiations.”

She added: “My reaction to that is it’s a reminder that this is a two-way negotiation. The EU and the commissioners may be considering issues, alternatives. They will be considering their negotiations with us, just as we are with them. But I’m going to make sure that what we do get is in the best interests of the UK.”

On Saturday, the Guardian reported that as part of draft European commission legislation for the EU travel information and authorisation system (Etias), France and Germany both back a system based on the US Esta scheme, which requires visitors from countries that do not require full visas to apply online for permission to travel, preferably 72 hours before they leave, at a cost of $14 (£10).

As EU citizens, though not from the Schengen free movement area, UK nationals must show a valid passport to enter the zone but can then travel freely within it. But after Brexit, British citizens could have to apply through the Etias scheme and pay to visit, legal experts told the Guardian.

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Andy Burnham, the shadow home secretary, said Rudd’s comments pointed to “yet another example of the drift and confusion as a result of the government’s failure to plan for Brexit”.

He said: “The home secretary’s words will not have reassured ordinary families about the cost of Brexit. She seems to be sympathetic to an idea that will put a flat £50 tax on the average family holiday in Europe. Tory ministers might think nothing of that, but it would make it even harder for ordinary families to afford a holiday.

“Norway doesn’t have the charge so why should we? I challenge the home secretary to rule it out.”

Rudd, a prominent supporter of remaining in the EU before the June referendum, otherwise gave very few details of how she might seek to balance controlling immigration numbers from the EU with keeping some access to the bloc’s single market.

“What I do think the British public voted for was to make sure that we reduce immigration from the European Union,” Rudd said. “That’s a given. We have to find a way of doing that. I wouldn’t necessarily say what it means to do with the single market, but what I would say is we have to work out how we can do that, while promoting and protecting the economy.”

While confirming the intention to reduce annual net migration to the tens of thousands, Rudd said she could give no details as to which areas would be tackled.

“I can’t tell you which portion of which area of immigration we’re actually going to drive down more than the other,” she said. “Because we’re going to be entering into a negotiation with the European Union.”

Pressed on details, Rudd echoed Theresa May’s words on Brexit, saying: “I know you want me to give a running commentary on the negotiations, but I’m not in a position to do that.”

She added: “What we’re going to look at is how we can get the best for the economy – driving the numbers down but protecting the people who really add value to the economy. I can’t give specific areas at the moment.”

With May ruling out a points-style system last week, Rudd was asked if there would be some sort of work permit scheme for EU arrivals. She said: “I think that work permits certainly has value. But as I said, we’re not ruling anything out at the moment.”

Amid concerns from universities that student arrivals could be reduced, Rudd sought to give some reassurance. She said: “We’re looking at a number of options. But students do make an important contribution. There’s going to be no blanket banning students coming to the UK. But we are looking at bringing down the numbers overall.”

Finally, Rudd was asked about about her comments during the Brexit campaign about Boris Johnson being “the life and soul of the party, but he’s not the man you want driving you home at the end of the evening”.

Asked if she was happy with Johnson at the wheel now he is foreign secretary, Rudd responded: “Boris is not the driver. Theresa May is the driver. The rest of us are in the car. She’s very clear we’re all focused in the same direction.”