In the UK, cross-country is generally regarding as anything outside the circuit i.e. > 3nm from the airfield.
As for VFR/IFR - as pointed out there is no such thing as an fATPL licence; it is a CPL licence with an Instrument Rating (which is a rating, not a licence). For the CPL in the UK, the cross-country must be 20 hours VFR.
However, the requirements for issue of the IR are not specific so therefore, could be either. Check and download LASORS for free (for UK only).
Cheers
Whirls