Musicians and other artists who wished to perform in the EU were left stranded after Brexit, with no arrangements made beyond existing third country rules. Visas and work permits became the norm for touring in the EU.
An expensive and cumbersome answer, which has gradually been addressed. There is still a lack of total clarity, not least a Europe wide agreement but the position has improved in the majority of EU nations.
Available information for each country is below, although this is new in some and variable. Checking before you travel is a wise step, the outline should still give a guide as to where arranging bookings makes sense.
The Standard Approach
At least what was meant to be standard, where document free entry for performing is allowed for up to 90 days, within a 12 month period. This is to allow time for a couple of longer visits, or weekend gigs across the year and is available in:
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
Other countries offer much the same, with a few variations:
Romania & Spain – Have gone further, allowing document free access for up to 90 days, within a 180 day period.
Italy – State that border authorities may ask for documentary proof of the reason for and duration of your visit.
Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta and Portugal – They are putting systems in place which essentially support the 90 day rule.
Belgium – Only guarantee permit free, 90 day access for artists “with an international reputation”. Other visits are judged individually.
Denmark – Offer the 90 day facility to those who “Participate in a substantial or essential part of a noteworthy artistic event”.
How you, or they judge what is noteworthy is unclear. From brief contact, no surprise if this was amended, or dropped.
A Few Exceptions
Even where agreement has been reached, there is some variation within local documentation. A few countries specify 90 days with a calendar year, rather than 12 months, others have more distinct differences:
Ireland – Is entirely permit free, as the UK and Ireland share a Common Travel Area, although local tax rules still apply.
Austria – Currently allow visits up to 4 weeks, although following changes in other countries, this is under review.
The Czech Republic – Much stricter at present, only permit free up to 7 consecutive days, or 30 days within a calendar year.
The Netherlands – Permit free for artists for a maximum of 6 continuous weeks within any period of 13 weeks.
Poland – Again fairly strict to date, with document free touring allowed for up to 30 days per calendar year.
There may still be changes, bearing in mind that variations across what is an open travel area (the EU) aren’t helping them. Several countries, such as currently visa free Greece have promised a review by the end of 2022.
Other Considerations
If you are directly employed by a company based in an EU country, or have payments made into a bank account there, entry under the schemes may not be allowed. Neither do the agreements cover equipment you are taking.
Where this is relatively personal and travels with you, such as your musical instrument, you may be okay. For items beyond this, or any which are transported separately, you are likely to need an ATA carnet to cover temporary export.
An additional cost but this can be spread around different people’s equipment, or any number of visits over a 12 month period. Our team will be happy to advise on when an ATA carnet will be required.
You can also see more on musicians touring the EU in our dedicated section, including recent parliamentary input and the current position on moving equipment to the EU.