Key Takeaways:
- Wes Streeting, a Labour leadership hopeful, stated he'd like the UK to 'one day' rejoin the EU, reigniting the Brexit reversal debate.
- Rejoining would require unanimous approval from all EU member states and a lengthy negotiation process under Article 49.
- The UK would likely lose previous opt-outs, including the Schengen exemption and the Thatcher rebate, making membership more costly.
Is Rejoining the EU Even Possible?
Yes, technically. No country has ever left the EU and then rejoined, but Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union provides a legal pathway. The UK would need to submit an application, secure unanimous support from all member states to open accession talks, and then negotiate alignment across dozens of policy areas.
However, the process is far from automatic. Former concessions, such as the Schengen opt-out and the EU budget rebate, would almost certainly not be re-granted. The UK would likely be expected to join the euro and contribute significantly more to the EU budget—potentially over £12 billion annually.
The Political and Practical Hurdles
According to the Institute for Government, the UK's historical reluctance to fully integrate with the EU remains a concern for the bloc. Knut Abraham, a senior German MP, noted that UK laws are still largely aligned with EU regulations, which could ease the process. But a senior European diplomat warned: "We would welcome the UK with open arms—just not on their terms."
The whole process would take years, possibly close to a decade, given the complexity of negotiations on trade, fisheries, immigration, and environmental standards.
What This Means for Travelers and EU Citizens
If the UK were to rejoin, it would most likely have to adopt the Schengen border-free travel zone. This would mean no passport checks for travel between the UK and other Schengen countries—a major change for British travelers and EU citizens alike. However, it also implies adopting common visa policies and external border controls.
For now, these scenarios remain speculative. Streeting's comments have put the issue back on the political agenda, but the path to rejoining is long and fraught with obstacles. The key question is whether the UK public and political class have the appetite for such a profound reversal.
"Rejoining the EU would be a generational project—but one that could reshape the UK's place in Europe and the world."
The Bottom Line
- Yes, it's possible, but politically and procedurally daunting.
- No previous opt-outs would be available; the UK would likely join the euro and Schengen.
- Expect a decade-long process with unanimous EU support needed every step of the way.
For now, the debate is just beginning. But for travelers and expats, the implications of a UK return to the EU would be enormous—from visa-free travel to seamless border crossings.