What you need to know if you’re a UK citizen who is auditioning or working in the EU.
Updated: 16 July 2026
As the UK has left the European Union, the landscape for travel, auditions and international contracts has permanently changed. While navigating the continent involves a bit more red tape than it used to, working in Europe is entirely achievable if you know what to expect at border control and how to plan ahead.
If you’re a UK citizen wanting to work abroad, here are the current rules that can affect artists working in the European Union.
UK Residents with an EU Passport
If you hold a valid EU passport alongside your UK residency, you are in luck. You retain the full right to travel, live, audition and accept work anywhere within the European Union without needing a visa or a work permit.
Furthermore, if you were legally residing in an EU member state before 1 January 2021, your right to continue working and living in that specific country remains protected under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Travel to the EU for UK Citizens
For performers travelling on a British passport, the rules depend entirely on whether you are heading out for a paid contract or simply travelling for research and auditions.
The 90/180-Day Rule
UK citizens can travel to the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period visa-free:
- This time does not have to be consecutive and accumulates across multiple Schengen countries.
- What counts: You can safely use these visa-free days for industry meetings, networking events, conferences, and unpaid auditions.
- Passport requirements: Your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the EU, and it must have at least 3 months of validity remaining past the date you plan to leave.
The New Digital Borders: EES and ETIAS
The old days of getting ink stamps in your passport are over. The EU has rolled out major border overhauls:
- The Entry/Exit System (EES): This digital border system is fully operational across the Schengen zone. When you cross the border, your passport will be scanned, and your fingerprints and facial image will be captured digitally. This automates the tracking of your 90-day allowance.
- ETIAS Pre-Approval: The electronic travel authorisation system (ETIAS) has faced rolling delays and is now projected to launch in 2027. Once live, you will need to apply online for a €7 waiver before you travel. For now, you do not need to take action.
EU Visas and Work Permits
If you are travelling to the EU for a paid performance, a filming contract, or a resident theatrical run, you will almost certainly need a visa or a work permit.
There is no single pan-EU artist visa – every single country inside the EU sets its own immigration rules regarding what activities require a permit and what exemptions exist for visiting creatives.
Always check with the production team or casting company first to see if they are handling the paperwork for you. If you are organising it yourself, check the embassy website of the specific country you are visiting well in advance.
Read more advice about travelling to specific countries on gov.uk
Working in Ireland
The Common Travel Area (CTA) between the UK and Ireland remains fully intact. British citizens retain the absolute right to move freely to Ireland, reside there and work or audition without requiring any visas, work permits, or residency clearances.
Read more about what you need to know if you’ll be working in Ireland
Healthcare in the EU
If you’ve travelled to Europe in the past, you may be aware of the EHIC, or European Health Insurance Card. If you already have an EHIC, it’s still valid up to the date of expiry and you can find this information on your card.
If your EHIC has expired, or if you do not have one, you can apply for the replacement Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for free via the official NHS website. Both cards grant you access to state-provided healthcare in the EU at the local rate (free or discounted depending on the country).
Read more about the GHIC and apply on the NHS website
Travelling with Professional Equipment (Carnets)
If you are travelling with expensive personal gear – such as musical instruments, high-end recording gear, or specific theatrical tech – you will need an ATA Carnet. This document acts as a temporary passport for your gear, ensuring you aren’t forced to pay import duties or VAT when crossing back and forth over the border.
- Digital ATA Carnets: Digital carnets are now widely accepted across the UK and the EU. You can now store, track and clear your equipment digitally on a mobile device at major ports rather than carrying bulky books of paper.
- Current Costs: Physical or digital carnets are issued by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and currently cost £225 + VAT for members and £370 + VAT for non-members, plus a refundable security deposit.
Purchase an ATA Carnet on the gov.uk website
Earning Money in the EU and Tax
If you are a UK resident, you are legally required to declare all worldwide earnings to HMRC. Any money you make from an acting gig on the continent must be declared on your annual UK Self Assessment tax return.
If tax is automatically withheld by the production company in the country where you worked, you will usually be protected from paying tax twice under Double Taxation Agreements. To ensure you don’t overpay and that you claim the correct foreign tax credit relief, it is highly recommended to speak to an accountant who specialises in the entertainment industry.
Tell HMRC if you’re planning to work in the EU
Tax Relief
You may be entitled to relief if you’re double taxed, for example, if tax is automatically deducted or has to be paid earlier in the country you’re working in.
Read more information about tax on foreign income
National Insurance / Social Security Contributions
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.
Driving in the EU
If you are driving your own vehicle or an agency van for a tour or a shoot on the continent, keep these current regulations in mind:
- Insurance: You no longer require a physical ‘Green Card’ from your insurer to drive in the EU. Your standard UK car insurance policy automatically provides the legal minimum third-party coverage across Europe.
- Country Identifier Stickers: The old ‘GB’ sticker is obsolete. You must place a UK sticker on the rear of your car if your number plate features a GB flag, a Euro symbol, or a national flag (like the English, Scottish, or Welsh flags). If you are driving anywhere in Spain, a physical UK sticker is mandatory regardless of what flag is displayed on your number plate.
Michaela Bennison is an actor and writer, whose credits include ‘Into The Woods’ at The Royal Exchange, Manchester and ‘Lady of Jazz’ at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester and Wilton’s Music Hall.
Michaela runs a blog and YouTube channel, where she shares her thoughts about the theatre industry and offers advice to actors based on her experiences.
Headshot: John Clark
