The UK Government (and many UK tabloid newspapers) have been using the Fishing industry as a popularist stick to batter through the basic agreement for the UK-EU trade deal. Musicians and other creatives have largely been ignored and were not included in the visa free short term business trip provision negioations.
After the UK music industry (£5.8 billion) was largely ignored over fishing (£1.4 billion), UK musicians will be considered as ‘third country nationals’ when working abroad, meaning that they will have to adhere to the immigration rules of each EU country. Some countries, including France, will charge tax on earnings in that country meaning that musicians will be facing double deductions.
For musicians hoping to play in the UK, further paperwork is required in the form of a Paid Permitted Engagement and a Certificate of Sponsorship from the event organiser.
You can read a summary of the requirements for each Country here. See also Page 741 of this EU document.
Transporting an instrument into Europe will now require an ATA Carnet, starting at £325. If the instrument contains protected materials such as Brazilian rosewood or elephant ivory, then a further permit is required.
With even the Fishing Industry bodies saying the “UK caved in on fish to win a wider treaty”, there is a still a lot of confusion and misinformation around, as the wider detail behind the trade deal is yet to be finalised.
A petition has been created which is asking for the UK Government to negotiate a free cultural work permit, that gives visa free travel throughout the 27 EU states for music touring professionals, bands, musicians, artists, TV and sports celebrities with a Carnet exception for touring equipment.
With the wider creative industry worth around £111.7 billion, MetalTalk encourage all UK readers to sign this petition and help an industry which has already been devastated by COVID-19.
You can sign the petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/563294
