Campaign group European Movement UK has said that British artists’ chances to tour in the EU are “slowly dying in Visa red tape” in the wake of Brexit, following a report in the Financial Times revealing that internal briefing documents at the European Commission stated that post-Brexit curbs on UK touring musicians will not be loosened.
According to reports, the European Commission has said that “such a deal is impossible because it would require rewriting the EU-UK Trade And Cooperation Agreement”, as well as making changes to EU rules on customs, road haulage and services.”
Despite individual countries tweaking their visa policies post-Brexit, artists are still grappling with hefty costs and bureaucratic obstacles. The challenges span from securing cultural performance Visas to obtaining transport permits for their gear.
In theory, 21 European countries allow some form of Visa-free touring for UK artists, time windows for touring are limited to at most 90 days touring every six months. Certain countries have implemented their own particular restrictions, for example France requiring musicians to be employed by a registered venue.
“There remains uncertainty and possibly a need for bilateral deals with six other member states in relation to work permits for musicians and performers for any commercial music performance or artists and crew face costly and time-consuming visa and work permit applications,” advocacy group UK Music says.
Labour must do everything they can do ensure the music industry isn’t left behind in the wake of Brexit.https://t.co/L4S2UQBOwj
— European Movement UK (@euromove) September 4, 2024
European Movement UK runs a campaign called Face The Music, which urges the government to address the plight of musicians and other artists trying to work and tour in the EU. Labour pledged back in May before coming to power that it would work to fix the “European touring crisis”, by negotiating, ‘an agreement on touring visas’.
Dr Mike Galsworthy, Chair of European Movement UK, said: “ We really need him to be more ambitious on this front and open up conversations about mobility in general, which is what the British public want to see.”
“Remember, it’s not just musicians, it’s theatre groups, fashion photographers, dancers, comedians and British culture in all of its wonderful dimensions. Brexit has boxed them in and it’s time to tear down these walls,” he added.
In July, the Musician’s Union conducted a survey of 200 artists who had previously performed in the EU, in which 75% polled musicians reported that their bookings in the EU had declined, while 59% said that touring in the EU was no longer financially viable 54% of artist who said their merchandise sales had been affected, as well as13% of respondents who experienced all or part of their fees being withheld due to complications in connection with tax and national insurance.
“Although over half of surveyed musicians told us that touring the EU was no longer financially viable for them, we have been working with the new Labour Government to address the concerns raised, and are hopeful that the barriers can be addressed,” the Musician’s Union said in July.
