France, Germany, Italy and Spain support UK rejoining EU - on two conditions

Majorities in the European Union's four biggest member states would support Britain rejoining the bloc, a poll has found. However, majorities also said the UK should only be allowed to rejoin if it signs up in full, meaning it adopts the euro and enters the Schengen passport-free zone.

YouGov's EuroTrack survey shows 51% of Italians, 53% of French people, 60% of Spaniards and 63% of Germans back Britain rejoining. But the percentages drop when respondents were asked if the UK should be allowed back on the same terms as when it left.

Only 19% in Italy, 19% in France, 21% in Spain and 22% in Germany said the UK should be welcomed back on those same terms. This compared to 58% to 62% saying the UK must adopt every key EU policy.

A majority of Brits surveyed said they would support the UK rejoining (54%), but when asked if doing so meant signing up in full with no opt outs, the percentage fell to 36%, according to YouGov.

Another opt out included a budget rebate on Britain's financial contributions to the bloc's budget. There was also some flexibility surrounding EU diktats on freedom, security and justice.

The survey shows Danish respondents are very keen for the UK to rejoin, with 72% in favour. They were even more enthusiastic than larger member states about the UK keeping its previous opt-outs (43%).

And in a boost to the Scottish nationalists, the survey found large majorities in all five continental countries (63-75%) support an independent Scotland joining the bloc.