The EU has announced plans to allow UK citizens visa-free travel across the bloc – even in a ‘no-deal’ Brexit scenario.

In a statement this morning the European Council said EU ambassadors had agreed to allow UK citizens visa-free travel for ‘short-stay’ visits.

It means UK citizens will be allowed to visit the Schengen area without a visa for 90 days in any 180.

The statement said the exemption should be granted on “condition of reciprocity.”

It notes that the UK Government has “stated that it does not intend to require a visa from EU citizens travelling to the UK for short stays.”

It said that if this changes in the future, and the UK “introduces a visa requirement for nationals of at least one member state,” the EU will act without delay in revoking the system.

It comes following concerns in the UK that Brussels would ask UK citizens to pay a €7 levy for a three-year visa waiver programme.

The European Council President will now begin talks with the European Parliament to bring forward the legislation to allow the ‘short-stay’ travel.

The Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for European Affairs has said there is no point delaying Brexit unless the UK has a clear plan to get a deal agreed.

Speaking to the BBC, Helen McEntee said the EU would be likely to support an extension to the March 29th deadline.

However, she said it would be pointless unless the UK sets out its plan for getting a deal through the House of Commons.

“There is no point in looking for an extension if we end up back to the same places we were in three months time,” she said.

“We need to actually have a clear direction from the UK Government as to what it is we want to achieve.”