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<p>During negotiations with the EU, the Government discussed arrangements for British
Citizens travelling to the Schengen Area. Regrettably, the EU consistently maintained
that British Citizens will be treated as third-country nationals under the Schengen
Borders Code from 1 January 2021. This means that British Citizens are able to travel
visa-free for short stays for up to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period. This is the
standard length of stay that EU offers to nationals of eligible third countries that
offer visa-free travel for EU citizens, in line with existing EU legislation.</p><p>British
Citizens planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State(s).
This may require applying for a visa and/or permit. Information about travel to Europe
is available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021</p><p>The UK's
Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU notes that both the UK and EU currently
provide for visa-free travel for short-term visits for each other's nationals in accordance
with their respective laws. The detail of those arrangements is set by domestic law,
reflecting the UK's position as a non-Member State. Negotiations with the EU have
concluded and the Government is focused on the smooth, robust and effective implementation
of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The Government does not typically enter into
bilateral agreements on visa-free travel.</p><p>The ending of the free movement of
persons between the UK and the EU is a consequence of the UK's exit from the EU. The
Government made clear that free movement of persons would end once the UK ceased to
be a Member State of the EU, and left the EU single market. This fulfilled the Government's
commitment to the British public to take back control of our borders and introduce
a single, global immigration system.</p>
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