Working, performing and touring in Europe - guidance for the performing arts, theatre, opera, dance, circus and other live performance genre
A checklist for performing artists, creatives, management and production staff in the performing arts touring in an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
This checklist is designed for performing artists (for example, dancers, actors, comedians, magicians, circus artists and singers), creative team members (for example, directors or choreographers), management (for example, producers, or agents accompanying artists) and production staff (for example, stage technicians) looking to work, perform 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 performing artist or accompanying staff travelling to work, perform 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
Many Member States have confirmed that they offer visa and work permit free routes for UK musicians, performers and support staff undertaking some short-term touring activities. Durations, definitions and requirements can vary from Member State to Member State. As a musical artist (which might include teaching and education roles) or as accompanying staff, we strongly recommend that before you travel 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 equipment to be used as part of the production
Temporarily taking equipment used as part of the production to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
If you are taking your professional equipment (for example stage, lighting or sound equipment) temporarily out of the UK to work, perform or tour in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you will need to check the customs requirements for each country you are visiting.
If your professional equipment is in your baggage or a vehicle accompanied (‘accompanied’ – carried or taken by an individual in their personal baggage, or a vehicle, which travel with the individual throughout their journey), you may be able to use a temporary admission procedure in the country of destination to pay no duty on them by going through the green or ‘nothing to declare’ channel or by making an oral declaration for your equipment to a Border Official. This may mean an ATA Carnet is not required in these circumstances. You can do this if your equipment is for personal or business use.
If your equipment isn’t accompanied (‘unaccompanied’ - moved as freight by a haulier and/or transport operator where the individual is not present), you’ll need to consider using other temporary admissions procedures. These include:
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an ATA Carnet – there is a cost for this
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a duplicate list – there is no cost but this may be more complicated
If you don’t use a temporary admission procedure by going through the green channel, by declaring your goods orally, or by using an ATA Carnet, you may have to declare your equipment and pay duties on them according to the customs rules in the country of destination, every time you take them through customs.
Find out more:
Taking goods out of the UK temporarily
List of goods applicable to oral and by conduct declarations
Northern Ireland
If you are transporting your equipment between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, you can register for the free trader support service to help you understand the requirements.
Find out more:
Sign up for the Trader Support Service
Objects that contain endangered species (CITES)
Performing artists looking to transport samples and/or examples into the EU that contain endangered species or specimens, for example rosewood or ivory, must apply for a CITES permit. You need to use a designated port of exit and entry when transporting these goods.
Find out more:
Import or export endangered species: check if you need a CITES permit
Apply for CITES permits and certificates to move or trade endangered species
Trading or moving CITES-listed specimens through UK ports and airports
Returning to the UK
When you return to the UK, with your musical instruments or equipment, you may be eligible for relief from import VAT and any customs duty under Returned Goods Relief, provided relevant conditions are met.
Find out more:
Pay less import duty and VAT when re-importing goods to the UK
List of goods applicable to oral and by conduct declarations
4. 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), 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)
5. Haulage
If you are using a UK-based haulier to transport your professional equipment 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:
Transporting goods between Great Britain and the EU: guidance for hauliers and commercial drivers
6. Social Security and income tax
If you are only working or performing 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 performing 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 16 November 2022 + show all updates
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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 page due to new text provided by Joe Gough
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First published.