The United Kingdom has reached an agreement with Brussels to rejoin the European university exchange program Erasmus from 2027, after having left it in 2020 as part of Brexit, officials from both the British government and the European Union announced.

Britain’s minister for EU relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, described the move as a major win for young people, emphasizing that it would “remove barriers and broaden horizons,” allowing students of all backgrounds the opportunity to study and gain experience abroad.

European officials welcomed the UK’s return to Erasmus, saying it would strengthen ties between London and the EU. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted on X (formerly Twitter) that the reintegration “paves the way for shared experiences and long-lasting friendships” among the students who will benefit from the expanded program.

Meanwhile, European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic hailed the agreement as “a significant step forward” in EU–UK relations.

The agreement is part of a broader effort by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labor government, in power since July 2024, to restore relations between the UK and the EU after years of tension under previous Conservative administrations, which had overseen the Brexit process.