The UK has officially left the European Union and as you\u2019d expect, this has caused changes to the rules and regulations around travel and work on the continent.<\/p>\n
Whilst the Brexit deal may be updated in the future, for UK residents planning to work in the EU it\u2019s essential to know what the new rules are to make sure you\u2019re not caught short by bureaucracy and border controls.<\/p>\n
If you’re a UK citizen wanting to work abroad, here are the current rules that affect artists working in the European Union.<\/p>\n
Skip to:<\/p>\n
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- UK residents with an EU passport<\/a><\/li>\n
- Travel to the EU for UK citizens<\/a><\/li>\n
- EU visas and work permits<\/a><\/li>\n
- Working in Ireland<\/a><\/li>\n
- Healthcare in the EU<\/a><\/li>\n
- Travelling with professional equipment<\/a><\/li>\n
- Earning money in the EU and tax<\/a><\/li>\n
- Driving in the EU<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/a>UK Residents with an EU Passport<\/strong><\/h3>\n
If you\u2019re a UK resident with an EU passport, you can still travel to Europe for work, study and leisure without a visa or work permit.<\/p>\n
If you were legally resident in an EU country before 1 January 2021, your rights are protected by the\u00a0Withdrawal Agreement<\/a>. You\u2019ll continue to have the same rights to work and study as you did before the UK left the EU.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Travel to the EU for UK Citizens<\/strong><\/h3>\n
For UK citizens, there are different rules depending on if you\u2019re travelling for leisure or for work\/study.<\/p>\n
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- Travel to mainland Europe for leisure is visa-free for up to 90 days in every 180 (roughly three months in every six).<\/li>\n
- The 90 days don\u2019t have to be consecutive and can be used in multiple EU countries.<\/li>\n
- The 90 days can also include meetings, conferences and research, so any auditions or industry events that you\u2019re not paid to attend can be included.<\/li>\n
- For stays of longer than 90 days, or if you intend to work then you’ll require the relevant visa(s) or a residence permit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/a>EU visas and Work Permits<\/h3>\n
If you are travelling for work or long-term study, you’ll need a visa or work permit to work in most countries if you’re a UK citizen.<\/p>\n
Each country has its own list of activities that can take place without a visa so it’s\u00a0worth checking the country’s regulations<\/a>\u00a0to see what details apply to you.<\/p>\n
Check\u00a0with the production team in the first instance to see if they will be organising your permit or visa for you.\u00a0If you need to organise your own, then you\u2019ll need a separate visa or work permit for each country you intend to visit as there\u2019s currently no pan-EU work or study visa.<\/p>\n
Requirements vary from country to country so you’ll need to check in advance what visa you’ll need for the type of work you’ll be undertaking in each country you visit. Check with the country’s embassy or check this website which lists\u00a0work permits and visa requirements for each EU country.<\/a><\/p>\n
When travelling on a visa, your passport will need at least six months on it to travel and you may need proof of a return ticket.<\/p>\n
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- Read more advice about\u00a0travelling to specific countries on Gov.uk<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/a>Working in Ireland<\/h3>\n
The\u00a0UK<\/span>\u00a0and Irish Governments committed to maintaining the\u00a0Common Travel Area (<\/a>CTA<\/span><\/a>)<\/a>. This means\u00a0British and Irish citizens can move freely, reside in either state, and enjoy associated rights and privileges, including the right to work, study, and access health services.<\/p>\n
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- Read more about what you need to know if you’ll be\u00a0working in Ireland<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/a>Healthcare in the EU<\/strong><\/h3>\n
If you\u2019ve travelled to Europe in the past, you may be aware of the EHIC, or\u00a0European Health Insurance Card<\/a>. If you already have an EHIC, it\u2019s still valid up to the date of expiry and you can find this information on your card.<\/p>\n
If your EHIC card has expired or you don’t have one, it has now been replaced by the\u00a0Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)<\/a>, which is identical in all but name. The GHIC provides the holder with healthcare in the EU at the local rate. For example, if the country you\u2019re in has free healthcare, any treatments you need will be free.<\/p>\n
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- Apply for the GHIC for free on the NHS website<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Remember that the GHIC isn\u2019t an alternative to travel or public liability insurance, which would need to be covered separately.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Travelling with Professional Equipment – Carnets<\/strong><\/h3>\n
For artists travelling with \u2018tools of the trade\u2019, for example, instruments, sound equipment or anything you need to use in a professional context, you may need to buy a carnet.<\/p>\n
Carnets allow for goods to temporarily travel in and out of countries tax-free. There are two types of carnet, but the one you\u2019ll need to travel to the EU is the\u00a0ATA Carnet<\/a>, which is valid in over 80 countries.<\/p>\n
Carnets are usually valid for one year and can be used multiple times for multiple countries both in and out of the EU. Carnets\u00a0usually cost \u00a3180 plus VAT for members of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and \u00a3300 plus VAT for non-members plus a security deposit, so make sure you factor this cost into your budget.<\/p>\n
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- Carnets can be purchased on the Gov.uk website<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The website also has information about the helpline you’ll need to call when planning your journey so that a customs officer can stamp your carnet upon shipping.<\/p>\n
Each country has its own rules about\u00a0what goods can be brought in with an ATA Carnet<\/a>, so you should check what applies to you.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Earning Money in the EU and Tax<\/strong><\/h3>\n
You might need to\u00a0tell HMRC if you’re planning to work in the EU<\/a>\u00a0and you’ll have to pay UK Income Tax depending on whether you’ll be a temporary or permanent resident in the country you’re going to.<\/p>\n
Tax on foreign earnings is paid to your country of residency (i.e. the country you live in). So, if you\u2019re a UK resident, the tax on any money you earn in the EU should be paid on your UK tax return.<\/p>\n
Tax Relief<\/strong><\/h3>\n
You may be entitled to relief if you\u2019re double taxed, for example, if tax is automatically deducted or has to be paid earlier in the country you\u2019re working in. More information about\u00a0tax on foreign income<\/a>\u00a0can be found on the Gov.uk website.<\/p>\n
An accountant who is used to foreign earnings may help ensure you pay the right amount of tax in the right country. But if this isn\u2019t an option for you, it\u2019s always best to\u00a0contact HMRC for advice<\/a>. They can answer any questions you have, guide you through your tax return and make you aware of extra financial support you may be entitled to.<\/p>\n
National Insurance \/ Social Security Contributions<\/strong><\/h3>\n
If you’re self-employed, you’ll usually pay National Insurance in the UK if you’re working abroad temporarily but it’s worth checking if you’ll need to pay social security contributions in the country you’ll be operating in<\/a>.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Driving in the EU<\/strong><\/h3>\n
If you\u2019re planning to tour, UK photocard driver\u2019s licenses are still valid in the EU. But there are some exceptions which may require an International Driving Permit (IDP), such as paper licenses or licenses issued in Guernsey, Jersey or The Isle of Man.<\/p>\n
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- IDPs can be bought from the post office<\/a>\u00a0and cost \u00a35.50.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
There are two types of IDP, so\u00a0check which type is accepted by the country\/countries you\u2019ll be visiting<\/a>.<\/p>\n
What you’ll need to drive in the EU:<\/p>\n
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- For UK hire vehicles, you\u2019ll need a\u00a0VE103 form<\/a>\u00a0from the car hire company.<\/li>\n
- If you’re driving your own vehicle in the EU, you\u2019ll need:\n
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- Your V5C logbook<\/li>\n
- A\u00a0green card from your insurance provider<\/a>. A green card only shows proof of third-party cover, so check with your insurer exactly what your insurance will cover when driving abroad. It\u2019s best to contact them at least six weeks before you travel.<\/li>\n
- Your vehicle will need a GB sticker if your number plate doesn\u2019t have a GB flag (in Spain the sticker is mandatory regardless).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Be aware that if you have an accident abroad, you may need to make your claim in the local language of the country you\u2019re in.<\/p>\n
Resources:<\/h3>\n
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- Gov.uk’s information page for those working in creative industries<\/a><\/li>\n
- Gov.uk’s Brexit guidance<\/a><\/li>\n
- BFI’s Brexit Q&A for the screen sectors<\/a><\/li>\n
- UK Europe Arts Work’s information for working in the EU<\/a><\/li>\n
- Petition for visa-free work permits for artists<\/a><\/li>\n
- Visa and work permit requirements for UK Musicians working in EU\/EAA countries<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The UK\u2019s exit from the European Union presents many new challenges for artists looking to work on the mainland and companies looking to hire them. But whilst these new rules have made working in Europe more complex, that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that having a successful creative career in Europe is impossible for UK talent.<\/p>\n
Please note that his page will be updated as more information becomes available so if something is missing or if you spot anything that doesn’t seem quite right please contact us at\u00a0questions@spotlight.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
- Gov.uk’s Brexit guidance<\/a><\/li>\n
- Your vehicle will need a GB sticker if your number plate doesn\u2019t have a GB flag (in Spain the sticker is mandatory regardless).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- If you’re driving your own vehicle in the EU, you\u2019ll need:\n
- For UK hire vehicles, you\u2019ll need a\u00a0VE103 form<\/a>\u00a0from the car hire company.<\/li>\n
- IDPs can be bought from the post office<\/a>\u00a0and cost \u00a35.50.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Carnets can be purchased on the Gov.uk website<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Apply for the GHIC for free on the NHS website<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Read more about what you need to know if you’ll be\u00a0working in Ireland<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Read more advice about\u00a0travelling to specific countries on Gov.uk<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Travel to the EU for UK citizens<\/a><\/li>\n
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