The members of the Facebook group “France Visa Free” are urging UK Members of Parliament to ask the EU to review the 90/180-day rule that has been applying to British nationals since 2021 following Brexit.
As The Connexion explains, the group is asking the MPs to raise the matter with the Prime Minister of the UK and other ministers and help them to enjoy better mobility rules, Schengen.News reports.
According to the group, the review of the 90/180-day rule would be a significant step as the current rules restrict UK nationals, specifically those who have second homes and businesses in the EU.
The founder of the group, Steven Jolly, said that they want to be permitted to stay within the territory of the EU for a longer period of time by securing a 180-day visa waiver.
Jolly stressed that the UK authorities should seek to secure a reciprocal and inclusive mobility agreement with the EU that would provide for a six-month visa waiver in both directions.
In line with the 90/180-day visa rule that the EU has in place, Britons are permitted to stay in the bloc for a maximum of three months within any six-month period. They cannot stay for six months consecutively as this is against the rules.
On the other hand, the law in place in the UK allows visa-waiver visitors, including EU passport holders, to stay in the country for up to six months.
The 90/180-Day Rule Is Stifling UK Businesses, Association Says
The current rule that the EU has in place is stifling UK businesses, the Road Haulage Association said. According to The Connexion, the Association noted that the 90/180-day rule restricts lorry drivers who travel to the EU on a regular basis, thus calling for changes.
As revealed by the same source, the UK MP Mark Pritchard has already asked the Cabinet Office minister if it will be discussed to replace the 90/180-day rules with a six-month visa waiver scheme.
In his answer, the Cabinet Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said that the UK and the EU have different arrangements in place. However, he stressed that the government will continue to listen and advocate for nationals of the UK.
