Working and touring in Europe - guidance for visual arts, the art market and museums
A checklist for artists, specialists, museum professionals, exhibitors or businesses working or touring in an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
This checklist is designed for museum professionals, artists (or those involved in trading or exhibiting art) looking to work, travel between art fairs or tour in an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
Further information and support is available through the Export Support Service, which can be accessed online. UK businesses can use the service to get answers to practical questions about exporting products or services to Europe (including touring). It provides access to cross government information and support all in one place.
1. Important checks
If you are travelling to an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you should:
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Ensure your passport complies with the passport rules
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Ensure you have appropriate healthcare and travel insurance cover
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Carry your UK driving licence with you (if you are intending to drive)
If you are a museum professional, artist or exhibitor looking to work, travel between art fairs or tour in an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you need to consider the extra requirements for travelling on business.
Find out more:
Visiting the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
2. Visa/work permits
As a museum professional, artist or exhibitor, you must check domestic immigration rules for each European country you are intending to work or tour in. Some countries allow for these activities without a visa or a work permit, but others will require one or both, or other documentation.
Some EU Member States use the terms ‘visa’ and ‘work permit’ interchangeably, sometimes with different meanings. We strongly recommend that you check domestic immigration rules for each European country you are intending to work, perform or tour in, as rules may vary depending on the length of your stay and the type of activity.
Find out more:
Travelling to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein for work
3. Transporting commercial goods including merchandise
If you are taking commercial goods in your baggage to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, to sell or bringing them back to the UK to sell (for example merchandise or works of art), you must check the customs requirements in the country you’re travelling to. You’ll also need to declare your goods to customs.
If you are bringing commercial goods into Great Britain (excluding returning goods) that are not classed as controlled goods, valued below £1,500 and weigh less than 1000kg you can make an oral declaration to a Border Force Officer at the port if facilities exist; or use HMRC’s simple online declaration service before coming into Great Britain. If you are bringing commercial goods into Great Britain that exceed any of these limits, you will need to submit full customs declarations to HMRC which you can do yourself or by using a customs agent or intermediary.
Find out more:
How to export goods from Great Britain into the EU
Taking commercial goods out of Great Britain in your baggage
Bringing commercial goods into Great Britain in your baggage
Get someone to deal with customs for you
Taxation and Customs Union (European Commission page, not government policy, check customs requirements in each destination country)
4. Taking goods temporarily out of Great Britain
When you move goods in or out of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), you must declare them and pay any duty that’s owed.
You might be able to claim relief from duty and declare goods in an easier way if you’re only moving them temporarily - for example, for an exhibition or an art fair.
There are different rules if you move goods temporarily between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Some examples of items you might move temporarily are:
- music equipment, such as portable instruments
- film and sound equipment, such as cameras
- education or science equipment
- sports equipment
- samples for trade fairs
Before you travel, you’ll need to:
- check if you can claim relief from import duty when you return
- decide how you want to declare your goods
- check if you need an export licence for your goods
Check if you need an export licence
You’ll need a licence to move certain kinds of goods. Find out if you need to apply for any licences.
Customs rules in other countries
The rules around how you declare goods and claim relief from import duty are different in other countries.
Check which declaration methods are allowed in the country you’re moving items into.
Find out more:
If you need help to understand your options for moving items temporarily out of Great Britain, contact HMRC.
5. Haulage
If you are using a UK-based haulier to transport cultural objects, artworks or other goods to the EU, you will need to consider the movement restrictions on UK-based hauliers. Once in the EU, UK hauliers will be able to undertake up to two additional movements (cross-trade or cabotage) within the EU, with a maximum of 1 cabotage movement within a 7-day period. Cabotage must be within the same EU country where you first unloaded your goods brought into the EU.
Find out more:
6. Social Security and Income Tax
If you are only working or touring temporarily in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you may be able to get a certificate or document from HMRC to continue paying National Insurance contributions in the UK. This means you’ll not have to pay social security contributions abroad.
You may need to pay UK Income Tax on any foreign income you earn from working or touring in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
Find out more:
National Insurance for workers from the UK working in the EEA or Switzerland
Updates to this page
Last updated 15 March 2023 + show all updates
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Added section on taking goods temporarily out of Great Britain.
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Transporting works of art, cultural objects, or other objects for exhibition section removed pending new advice from HMRC.
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Removed the number for the Export Support Service's phone helpline which is no longer available.
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Updated section 4 with additional information about bringing commercial goods into Great Britain.
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First published.