What does freedom of movement actually mean? Prime Minister Andy Burnham says it is time for an “honest discussion” about it. Here is a clear guide to what free movement is, how it works and what it could mean for you.
- Freedom of movement is the right to live, work and study in other European countries without a visa.
- It works both ways: British people get the same rights across 31 European countries.
- The UK left it in 2021. Most British people can now only stay 90 days in any 180 in the Schengen area.
- Andy Burnham wants an “honest discussion” about it ahead of the UK-EU summit on 20 November.
What is freedom of movement?
Freedom of movement is actually quite simple. It means people have the right to live, work and study in other European countries without needing a visa. It covers the 27 EU countries, plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
- Live: move abroad, rent or buy a home and bring your family.
- Work: take any job on the same terms as local people.
- Study: study or train, usually paying local fees.
How free movement works in practice
Freedom of movement is one of the founding principles of the European Union, alongside the free movement of goods, services and money that make up the single market. The rules come from the EU Treaties and the Citizens’ Rights Directive (Directive 2004/38/EC).
- Up to three months: any EU citizen can stay in another member state with a valid passport or ID card.
- After three months: you need to be working, self-employed, studying, or able to support yourself with health insurance. Many countries ask new arrivals to register.
- After five years: people who have lived somewhere legally can get permanent residence.
- Equal treatment: employers cannot discriminate on nationality, and professional qualifications can be recognised across borders.
What did Andy Burnham say about freedom of movement?
In interviews with The Sunday Times this weekend, ahead of his 100th day in office, the Prime Minister said the debate on freedom of movement with the EU needed to be factual and evidence-based.
“I think we’ve just got to have an honest discussion about those things.”
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
He said the old rules “worked for British people as well”, and described much of the migration they brought as “generally younger people, not always, but spending a few years, then going back”. He also said freedom of movement should be seen “in the round”, pointing to what the UK lost on migration when it left, including “the ability to be part of Eurodac and all the data collaboration around migration”.
The Prime Minister meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the UK-EU summit in Brussels on 20 November, and has said he will set out options for the UK’s long-term relationship with Europe, from the status quo to a customs union, the single market or full EU membership.
The wider context and the reaction
Burnham accepted that freedom of movement “had very significant challenges associated with it”, and said he could not see himself recommending joining the euro or the Schengen area. Labour’s 2024 manifesto ruled out a return to free movement, so any big change is expected to follow the next general election. Eurodac is the EU’s fingerprint database for asylum claims.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the comments “a total betrayal of Brexit Britain”, and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said there could be “no return” to free movement. That is why the facts matter.
Freedom of movement works both ways
Here is something that often gets missed. Freedom of movement is not just about people from Europe coming to the UK. It is about British people having those same rights across Europe.
European countries where free movement applies
British citizens with residence permits in EU countries in 2025 (Eurostat)
settled status grants to EU citizens in the UK, to June 2026
days in any 180: the longest most Britons can now stay in Schengen
Sources: Eurostat, via The Local (does not include Ireland, where British citizens need no permit), Home Office
What about Ireland and Northern Ireland?
UK and Irish citizens can still live, work and study in each other’s countries under the Common Travel Area, which is older than the EU and was not affected by Brexit. Irish citizens, including many people in Northern Ireland who hold an Irish passport, keep their full EU freedom of movement rights.
What freedom of movement could mean for you
Imagine being able to take a job in France, start a business in Germany or retire to Spain without needing a visa. Or imagine our young people having the freedom to build their futures across Europe. More choices. More opportunities. More freedom.
A job in France
No work permit or sponsor needed.
A business in Germany
As easy as opening in Manchester.
Retiring to Spain
Stay as long as you like.
A future in Europe
Train and work in 31 countries.
Living and working in Europe: then and now
Working in the EU
Take any job, no permit
Work visa, often with a sponsor
Retiring abroad
Move if you can support yourself
Residence visa and minimum income
Long stays
Stay as long as you like
90 days in any 180
At the border
EU passport queues
Fingerprint checks, with ETIAS to come
How freedom of movement helps our economy
UK businesses could find it easier to recruit the people they need for the jobs we are desperate to fill, such as essential care workers. UK workers could access more jobs too, and businesses could find it easier to work and grow across Europe. That means more opportunities for workers and businesses on both sides.
care workers recruited from overseas in 2024 to 2025
in 2025 to 2026, after visa restrictions came in
of the care workforce is British, down from 85%
people in the EU labour market UK workers could join
Source: Skills for Care workforce report 2026
More on jobs and business
Free movement would let British engineers, nurses, chefs, scientists and builders follow the work across Europe and bring new skills home. Firms could send staff to meet clients, install equipment or deliver projects without visas and work permits, and touring musicians and creative workers would no longer face extra costs and paperwork to perform in Europe.
For context, the ONS estimates net migration to the UK was 171,000 in 2025, down from 331,000 the year before.
It is not just about immigration
Freedom of movement is about the freedom to choose where you live, where you work and where you build your future. Here are the facts behind some common claims.
“Free movement means open borders.”
Fact: it is not the same as Schengen. Ireland has free movement but still checks passports.
“Anyone can come and claim benefits.”
Fact: after three months, people must be working, studying or self-sufficient.
“It only helps people coming here.”
Fact: it works both ways. Almost 920,000 British citizens hold residence permits in EU countries.
“People stay forever.”
Fact: much movement was short term, often “spending a few years, then going back”.
How could the UK get freedom of movement back?
- A youth experience scheme Limited rights for under-30s. Talks have stalled over numbers and university fees.
- Joining the single market Full free movement, like Norway, but following EU rules without a vote on them.
- Joining the European Union Full free movement and a seat at the table where the decisions are made.
That freedom could belong to all of us if this government matches our ambition to join the European Union by 2036. Find out more about Heart of Europe 2036.
Your questions answered
Tap a question to see the answer.
What is freedom of movement in simple terms?
It is the right of citizens of EU countries to live, work, study and retire in any other EU country, plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, without needing a visa or work permit.
When did freedom of movement end for the UK?
Freedom of movement between the UK and the EU ended at 11pm on 31 December 2020, when the Brexit transition period finished. EU citizens already living in the UK could apply to stay through the EU Settlement Scheme, and UK citizens already living in the EU kept their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
What did Andy Burnham say about freedom of movement?
In interviews with The Sunday Times in October 2026, the Prime Minister said “we’ve just got to have an honest discussion” about freedom of movement, that it worked for British people as well, and that it should be seen “in the round” as part of the wider UK-EU relationship. He said he could not see himself recommending joining the euro or Schengen.
Is freedom of movement the same as Schengen?
No. Freedom of movement is the right to live and work in another country. Schengen is a separate agreement that removes passport checks at internal borders. Ireland, for example, has freedom of movement but is not part of Schengen.
Can British people still live and work in Europe after Brexit?
Yes, but it is much harder. Most UK citizens now need a visa or permit to live or work in an EU country, and can only visit the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Rules differ from country to country.
What is the 90/180 day rule?
UK passport holders can spend up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the Schengen area without a visa. Time spent in any Schengen country counts towards the same total.
Would rejoining the EU bring back freedom of movement?
Yes. Freedom of movement is a core part of EU membership, so joining the EU would restore the right for British people to live, work and study across Europe, and for EU citizens to do the same in the UK.
Could the UK get freedom of movement without rejoining the EU?
Partly. Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein have free movement through the European Economic Area, and Switzerland through its own agreements. A youth experience scheme would offer a limited version for under-30s. Only full membership of the EU would also give the UK a vote on EU rules.
Does freedom of movement apply in Northern Ireland?
UK and Irish citizens can live and work freely across the UK and Ireland under the Common Travel Area. People in Northern Ireland who hold Irish citizenship also keep full EU freedom of movement rights.
Sources
- ITV News: Burnham says it is time for an honest discussion about freedom of movement
- Al Jazeera: Burnham wants to discuss a return to EU freedom of movement
- LBC: Burnham calls for honest discussion about free movement
- EUR-Lex: Directive 2004/38/EC on free movement
- The Local: How many Britons have residency permits across Europe? (Eurostat data, 2025)
- Home Office: Immigration system statistics, year ending June 2026
- Nursing Times: Skills for Care workforce report 2026
- The Guardian: Youth mobility scheme may be delayed to ensure success of UK-EU summit
- MoneySavingExpert: ETIAS and the Entry/Exit System