As Britain's departure from the European Union approaches its 10th anniversary, people across the continent – from Paris to Warsaw and Rome to Brussels – shared their views on Brexit. The message was strikingly consistent that it was a mistake, and the UK should come back.

"I really think the British are in their rightful place here. We are sister countries," said Marie-Line Meunier, a retired Paris resident. "The more understanding there is between countries, the better it is, the better we get along... We're stronger together." 

She said that even though Britain is an island, there is everything to gain from the country rejoining the European community. 

Fellow Parisian Anatole Denis, who works in sales, agreed the UK should move closer to the EU, pointing to the current global climate. 

"With the way things are right now, politically and economically, the stronger Europe is the better," he said. "Given that the UK is a very strong economy with a prominent global position, the closer it is to us and the more we can reach a broad consensus, the more it benefits us, especially in light of the very polarized positions taken by the United States and the Middle East."

In Rome, British teacher and stand-up comedian Christina Waymark, who has lived in the city for years, said the practical drawbacks of Brexit had become undeniable. 

"I've always been against Brexit, and even the people that voted for it are now seeing that there are next to no advantages to being outside of the EU," she said. 

"As a non-European now it's even more difficult," she said, highlighting her own experience trying to relocate to be with her partner in Sweden, a country within the EU and Schengen which has tighter immigration laws than the UK does, despite that being a central argument for Brexit. 

"We absolutely could have had our cake and eaten it, and now we're outside and we have no choice," she added.

Brexit 'divided people'

Pia Marcili Jubany, a Spanish-born nurse who lived in Britain for nine years and became a British citizen before moving to Rome, shared a similar view. The medic said the UK should be closer to Europe because the country does not seem to be going through its "best time" and that "things haven’t improved since they left."

The sentiment was echoed by young Britons abroad. Amber Wilson, 20, from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, visiting Berlin, said Brexit had backfired. 

"I think it has made things a lot harder and more expensive," she said. 

"I think with immigration it's started a lot of animosity. I feel like racism has gotten worse. It has divided people a lot more than it was intended to. I feel like it has given people an excuse to air opinions that are just not kind" she said, pointing to a darker social cost.

Cal Heron, 20, from Edinburgh, also visiting Berlin, highlighted the economic and social toll that Brexit has taken. 

"It's not done well for the economy, traveling is really difficult," he said. "The thing with the UK is the togetherness, and coming away from the EU has really impacted that. So, we should have probably stayed."

Tobias Pohl, 25, from Bruhl called Brexit a missed opportunity. 

"I actually think it's a shame, because I studied European history at school. Europe itself is actually a brilliant concept — the idea of working together more rather than drifting apart," he said. "Partly because of Trump and so on, there's a bit of a worry that it's all going to become even more divided... It's a shame when an important country like the UK leaves the EU."

'We need you back'

In Brussels, chocolate maker Bjorn Becker made an emotional appeal. 

"Oh please come back. Seriously, we need you guys here," he said. "It's like a relationship... Everybody compromises in the European Union. And just to say like 'oh, I don't like it and I leave'? No, you have to say 'I don't like it, let's change'. And that part, this element, this motor, this engine to change something within the European Union — that's now missing because you left. And now we need you back for that. Plus, it's much more fun with you guys."

Caterina Avanza, a Brussels resident working in the European Parliament for the Renew political group, believes the UK must come back to Europe.

"I'm totally sure that Brexit was a disaster for the UK citizens and for the security of food, the security of environmental standards. So I do believe that they need to come back, and for us, it would be very good news if they come back," said Avanza.

In Malaga, Welsh tourist Phil Wells also argued for Britain to get back into Europe as soon as possible. 

"I'm sure they'll be quite welcoming, we have a big economy. We'll benefit from being all together," he said.

"We were on holiday on Rhodes that day when we heard the devastating news that we're out. I just couldn't believe that any country could be stupid or narrow-minded... It was the biggest catastrophe for Britain in my lifetime and probably a couple of lifetimes," he added, recalling the day of the referendum result with lingering disbelief.

Scottish tourist John Kern, also in Malaga, pointed to global instability as a reason to reconsider. 

"I think the UK could get closer to Europe, especially with the situation in the US, which is so unpredictable, so I think we should stay with our fellow Europeans," he suggested.

'A mistake'

In Warsaw, 50-year-old physiotherapist Pawel Gozdziewski said the practical consequences of Brexit had become clear over time. 

"I think it was a mistake on their part, unfortunately. It limits their access to the European market and to people from Europe who used to work there," he said. "We can now see what is happening — they are actually having problems moving around Europe as smoothly and freely as before."

Jakub Slepecki, a 27-year-old student also in Warsaw, suggested the UK itself may be having second thoughts. 

"It seems that after 10 years, it is becoming clear that the United Kingdom itself would probably like to return, considering how many problems it has created and that it did not bring such significant financial benefits to the UK budget," he said. "However, it will no longer be so simple to return under the terms that had been negotiated before. From my perspective, it would likely make travel easier for citizens, and economic exchange would also be much smoother."

On June 23, 2016, 52% of British voters chose to leave the bloc. On June 9, 2026, a YouGov poll said that almost six in 10 people in Britain now believe the country was wrong to vote to leave the EU.