UK/EU Visa Deal Could See More Young Brits Back Working in Ski Resorts

The UK and the EU are actively working on a youth visa deal ahead of a meeting next month to ‘reset’ relations after Brexit.

60 Labour MPs called on ministers to strike a “new and bespoke youth visa scheme for UK and EU citizens aged under 30”.

The EU is reported to be very keen for an agreement to be reached.

Since Brexit the number of UK people able to work in the Alps has plummeted.

Chalet staff, bar workers, ski instructors, drivers, child minders and every other job you care to mention.

One of the first questions employers ask anyone from the UK if they are after a ski job  is “Have you got an Irish or EU passport?”

Most times the answer is “No”.

Therefore there is no job available.

Learning chalet hosting skills. Image © Fresh Tracks

• Ski chalet hosting school expands

The EU has been keen to stress that a visa deal would not replicate the bloc’s rules on freedom of movement, under which EU citizens were automatically entitled to live and work in the UK without applying for a visa.

Documents circulated between EU states also suggest a deal could be rebranded as a “youth experience” scheme, in an apparent bid to downplay any link to migration.