🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 165 (from laksa079)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa165.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.gov.scot/publications/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.gov.scot/publications/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu\/","crawl_time":1775588439,"first_indexed_time":1774511110,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"scot,gov!www,\/publications\/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu\/ s443","src_root_hash":"11389275316184835965","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Touring artists and creative practitioners in the EU - gov.scot","meta_descriptions":["This paper summarises the Scottish Government's position on touring artists and creative practitioners in the EU. It covers the impact of Brexit on the sector and potential mitigations."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Introduction and purpose\nThis paper sets out the Scottish Government’s priorities for supporting mobility of creative professionals moving between the UK and the EU for short-term work, such as touring. It highlights the opportunity under the current UK-EU negotiating process to address the current challenges facing the culture sector and proposes actions we consider necessary to resolve these concerns and maximise opportunities for touring artists and creative professionals.  \nThe value of international working for creative practitioners \nShort-term international work is a essential for the culture and creative sectors, enabling artists and organisations to generate income, reach new audiences, collaborate across borders and build vital professional networks, as well as to showcase Scotland’s creative sectors internationally. At a national level, international touring is a central element of Scotland’s cultural exports.\nA broad range of activities exists within the definition of international working. While public attention is rightly focused on challenges and experiences of touring artists, many other creative professionals also depend on short term international work. This includes those working in screen production, visual arts, and theatre, and specialists in sound, lighting and related technical fields, and professionals responsible for logistics support and management. \nIt is unsurprising therefore that the ability to tour internationally is highly valued by those in the creative professions from across the UK.\nResearch by Arts Council England in 2017\nfound that of the organisations which conduct any international activity, “4 in 5 (80%) consider artistic exchange to be important to their organisation and its work and two thirds (67%) gave it the highest possible importance score (five out of five)”.\nBarriers to international working\nThe rest of Europe has long been one of the most important international audiences for Scottish artists touring overseas. When the UK was a member state of the EU, freedom of movement was a critical enabling factor for this touring. In turn Brexit has created a range of new barriers that significantly disrupt access to this vital market.\nVisa requirements\nThe replacing of the former visa-free travel possible in the EU with multiple different visa agreements across the 27 member states creates very significant administrative and financial burdens for artists and other professionals from the UK. Whereas currently, some EU member states have no visa or work permit requirements in place for creative professionals from the UK, and many have exemptions, the nature and extent of any exemptions vary significantly from country to country. Furthermore, many EU member states have applied their own visa requirements for UK creative professionals, creating complexity and substantial additional work involved in meeting these conditions, as well as the costs associated with the required fees.\nThis imposes particular burdens for any new entrants and those applicants not familiar with the extensive administration involved, and significantly complicates travel for groups where different individuals will be subject to different requirements.\nCurrently there is no relief offered to these requirements from the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) negotiated at the time of Brexit, as, while there are EU-wide visa exemptions for certain business travellers, creative professionals are not included in this exemption. With the\nEU’s Visa Strategy\nproposing the creation of new rules for extended short stays for touring artists, a new opportunity to address these areas may now exist.\nCustoms\nTaking equipment abroad can also require an expensive, itemised custom permit (called an ATA carnet), adding to both the costs and administration associated with touring. Furthermore, as the availability in the UK for processing these permits is very limited – for seaports, only those in the south of England, and for airports in Scotland, only those in the central belt – the logistics of those touring from outside these areas is significantly limited.\nHaulage and cabotage\nRestrictions introduced after Brexit on hauliers’ operations limit specialist road haulage movements (known as cabotage) for UK organisations within an EU Member State to two movements per week. While cabotage arrangements were already in place before Brexit, the post-exit rules are more restrictive for UK operators. Although limited exemptions exist for smaller vehicles carrying both people and equipment together, these restrictions continue to apply to larger vehicles. For cultural groups such as orchestras, music ensembles, or theatrical production teams, this can add complexity and reduce flexibility when specialist road haulage is required.\nThe Scottish Government recognises that increasing costs form one of the main barriers to international touring, particularly in relation to the music sector and we are taking action to provide additional funding to mitigate these this through a pilot International Touring Fund for Music, delivered by Creative Scotland. Nevertheless, the scale of the restrictions created by Brexit represent significant structural barriers to international working for the sector, and should be addressed. \nImpacts on the sector \nThe concerns being raised by the Scottish Government are those of the cultural sector and stakeholders themselves. Representatives within the sector in Scotland – for example members of the Scottish Commercial Music Industry Taskforce – have reported directly that since the UK left the EU, they have experienced reduced income and greater financial insecurity, leading to touring artists and other creative professionals increasingly to consider leaving the sector. Sector representatives have also reported increased difficulty in undertaking cultural diplomacy and showcasing Scottish work internationally, as well as a weakening of the international networks that are critical for supporting cross border collaboration.\nOn 23 March 2026, Arts Infopoint UK, a cultural mobility initiative delivered in partnership by Arts Council of Wales, Creative Scotland, Arts Council England and Arts Council Northern Ireland, published research into the value of, and barriers to, international working and cultural collaboration based on evidence from across the creative sectors. The report can be found at:\nUK-EU Arts Survey 2026 | Arts Infopoint UK | Gwybodfan Celf y DU\nScottish Government priorities\nThe\nCommon Understanding text\nagreed at the UK-EU Leaders’ Summit on 19 May 2025 included the following (paragraph 15): ‘The European Commission and the United Kingdom recognise the value of travel and cultural and artistic exchanges, including the activities of touring artists. They will continue their efforts to support travel and cultural exchange.’  \nThe Scottish Government considers that further action is now needed to move forward on this commitment. The next Leaders’ Summit – expected to take place in summer 2026 – provides an opportunity to make progress. \nVisa-free arrangements for creative professionals\nThe Scottish Government considers an EU wide visa exemption for creative professionals to be the most practical means of reducing barriers to touring. Such an exemption would allow artists and other cultural workers to undertake short term activities in the UK and EU without the need for a visa, while still meeting standard entry requirements such as the UK ETA or the EU Entry\/Exit System. These requirements involve minimal cost and administration compared to full visa or work permit applications.\nTaking action on an EU wide visa exemption can be done through the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which provides for a review of visa free business activities. The Scottish Government has consistently called for the UK and thr EU to expand the categories of travellers eligible for visa free entry, including creative professionals. It may also be possible to negotiate a separate, reciprocal agreement on visa exemptions for this group, similar to arrangements the EU has with other third countries.\nNew requirements such as the UK ETA and the EU Entry\/Exit System mean that short term travel now involves a baseline level of administrative steps for most travellers. In this policy note, \"visa free\" denotes a visa exemption rather than the removal of border controls altogether. Under such arrangements, creative professionals would continue to meet standard entry requirements, such as the ETA, which costs under £20, or the EU biometric process, which has no associated fee. These systems impose significantly lower financial and administrative burdens than full visa or work permit applications, which can amount to several hundred pounds and require extensive documentation. The approach to delivering such a visa exempt route would be for the UK Government to determine, though this could include enabling creative professionals to undertake short term work on the basis of an ETA alone. Ensuring that remaining requirements are proportionate is therefore critical to supporting short term touring.\nAny such agreement would require both the UK and the EU to be willing to make concessions. As broader political issues are resolved, renewed engagement will be necessary to ensure that a mutually beneficial agreement can be reached.\nCustoms\nWhile customs relations are likely to be dictated by the wider relationship between the UK and the EU, as well as other international agreements, the UK and the EU should consider where exemptions can be put in place for creative professionals. In particular, the cost and administrative burden of ATA Carnet requirements should be alleviated wherever possible.\nWhere exemptions cannot be put in place, both the UK and the EU should consider what support can be delivered to mitigate the impacts of customs requirements, including expanding locations where the carnets can be processed.\nCabotage\nThe UK and the EU should consider what further exemptions could be put in place for hauliers transporting equipment for touring artists. In particular, expanding exemptions to include larger vehicles transporting equipment for bigger production groups, such as orchestral or theatre performances, should be considered.\nBenefits for creative professionals and audiences in Scotland \nScotland’s culture and creative sectors also benefit significantly from creative professionals coming to work in Scotland, both on a long and short term basis. Such touring artists and professionals visiting Scotland help to build cross-border networks, facilitate innovation, and provide vital skills to the sector.  \nScotland’s festivals, for example, benefit hugely from those who come to participate from elsewhere. This international cultural exchange makes Scotland’s creative sectors more vibrant, diverse, and successful, which further helps communities across Scotland to engage with as wide a range of cultures as possible.\nThe Scottish Government has also published further evidence on the\nbenefits of enhanced cultural cooperation with the EU\n.\nAs where Scottish Government has published other papers on EU-UK negotiations – for example on\nrejoining the Creative Europe programme\n, or\nenabling a youth mobility agreement with the EU\n– the measures outlined in this paper are an opportunity to create shared benefit for Scotland, the rest of the UK, and the EU. \nNext steps\nThe UK Government’s decision to seek a closer relationship with the EU, and the progress already made by both parties on agreeing in different policy areas to achieve this, are welcome developments. Given the increasing willingness among not just the cultural sector but also the general public to recognise the harms that Brexit has created for touring professionals, the Scottish Government calls for further agreement now on the points above, and stands ready to work collaboratively with the UK Government and wider partners to this end.","attrs_markdown":"- [Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu\/#main-content)\n- [Accessibility help](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/accessibility\/)\n\n## Information\nWe use [cookies](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/cookies\/) to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.\n\nClick 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.\n\nAccept all cookies\n\nUse essential cookies only\n\n[Set cookie preferences](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/cookies\/)\n\nYour cookie preferences have been saved. You can [change your cookie settings](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/cookies\/) at any time.\n\nInformation\n\n[Scottish Parliament election](https:\/\/www.parliament.scot\/msps\/elections\/election-2026): 7 May. This site won't be routinely updated during the pre-election period.\n\nClose this notification\n\n[![Scottish Government](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/assets\/images\/logos\/scotgovlogo.svg)](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/)\n\nMenu\n\n- [About](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/about\/)\n- [Topics](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/topics\/)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/news\/)\n- [Publications](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/)\n- [Statistics and research](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/statistics-and-research\/)\n- [Consultations](https:\/\/consult.scotland.gov.uk\/)\n- [Blogs](https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/)\n\n- [About](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/about\/)\n- [Topics](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/topics\/)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/news\/)\n- [Publications](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/)\n- [Statistics and research](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/statistics-and-research\/)\n- [Consultations](https:\/\/consult.scotland.gov.uk\/)\n- [Blogs](https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/)\n\n1. [Home](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/)\n2. [Publications](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/)\n\nPublication - Factsheet\n\n# Touring artists and creative practitioners in the EU\n\nPublished\n\n**25 March 2026**\n\nDirectorate\n\n[Culture and External Affairs Directorate](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/about\/how-government-is-run\/directorates\/culture-and-external-affairs-directorate\/)\n\nTopic\n\n[Arts, culture and sport](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/arts-culture-and-sport\/), [Brexit](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/brexit\/)\n\nThis paper summarises the Scottish Government's position on touring artists and creative practitioners in the EU. It covers the impact of Brexit on the sector and potential mitigations.\n***\n### Introduction and purpose\nThis paper sets out the Scottish Government’s priorities for supporting mobility of creative professionals moving between the UK and the EU for short-term work, such as touring. It highlights the opportunity under the current UK-EU negotiating process to address the current challenges facing the culture sector and proposes actions we consider necessary to resolve these concerns and maximise opportunities for touring artists and creative professionals.\n\n### The value of international working for creative practitioners\nShort-term international work is a essential for the culture and creative sectors, enabling artists and organisations to generate income, reach new audiences, collaborate across borders and build vital professional networks, as well as to showcase Scotland’s creative sectors internationally. At a national level, international touring is a central element of Scotland’s cultural exports.\n\nA broad range of activities exists within the definition of international working. While public attention is rightly focused on challenges and experiences of touring artists, many other creative professionals also depend on short term international work. This includes those working in screen production, visual arts, and theatre, and specialists in sound, lighting and related technical fields, and professionals responsible for logistics support and management.\n\nIt is unsurprising therefore that the ability to tour internationally is highly valued by those in the creative professions from across the UK. [Research by Arts Council England in 2017](https:\/\/www.artscouncil.org.uk\/sites\/default\/files\/download-file\/Arts%20Council_Brexit%20Research%202017_Report_FINAL.pdf) found that of the organisations which conduct any international activity, “4 in 5 (80%) consider artistic exchange to be important to their organisation and its work and two thirds (67%) gave it the highest possible importance score (five out of five)”.\n\n### Barriers to international working\nThe rest of Europe has long been one of the most important international audiences for Scottish artists touring overseas. When the UK was a member state of the EU, freedom of movement was a critical enabling factor for this touring. In turn Brexit has created a range of new barriers that significantly disrupt access to this vital market.\n\n#### Visa requirements\nThe replacing of the former visa-free travel possible in the EU with multiple different visa agreements across the 27 member states creates very significant administrative and financial burdens for artists and other professionals from the UK. Whereas currently, some EU member states have no visa or work permit requirements in place for creative professionals from the UK, and many have exemptions, the nature and extent of any exemptions vary significantly from country to country. Furthermore, many EU member states have applied their own visa requirements for UK creative professionals, creating complexity and substantial additional work involved in meeting these conditions, as well as the costs associated with the required fees.\n\nThis imposes particular burdens for any new entrants and those applicants not familiar with the extensive administration involved, and significantly complicates travel for groups where different individuals will be subject to different requirements.\n\nCurrently there is no relief offered to these requirements from the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) negotiated at the time of Brexit, as, while there are EU-wide visa exemptions for certain business travellers, creative professionals are not included in this exemption. With the [EU’s Visa Strategy](https:\/\/home-affairs.ec.europa.eu\/eu-visa-strategy_en) proposing the creation of new rules for extended short stays for touring artists, a new opportunity to address these areas may now exist.\n\n#### Customs\nTaking equipment abroad can also require an expensive, itemised custom permit (called an ATA carnet), adding to both the costs and administration associated with touring. Furthermore, as the availability in the UK for processing these permits is very limited – for seaports, only those in the south of England, and for airports in Scotland, only those in the central belt – the logistics of those touring from outside these areas is significantly limited.\n\n#### Haulage and cabotage\nRestrictions introduced after Brexit on hauliers’ operations limit specialist road haulage movements (known as cabotage) for UK organisations within an EU Member State to two movements per week. While cabotage arrangements were already in place before Brexit, the post-exit rules are more restrictive for UK operators. Although limited exemptions exist for smaller vehicles carrying both people and equipment together, these restrictions continue to apply to larger vehicles. For cultural groups such as orchestras, music ensembles, or theatrical production teams, this can add complexity and reduce flexibility when specialist road haulage is required.\n\nThe Scottish Government recognises that increasing costs form one of the main barriers to international touring, particularly in relation to the music sector and we are taking action to provide additional funding to mitigate these this through a pilot International Touring Fund for Music, delivered by Creative Scotland. Nevertheless, the scale of the restrictions created by Brexit represent significant structural barriers to international working for the sector, and should be addressed.\n\n### Impacts on the sector\nThe concerns being raised by the Scottish Government are those of the cultural sector and stakeholders themselves. Representatives within the sector in Scotland – for example members of the Scottish Commercial Music Industry Taskforce – have reported directly that since the UK left the EU, they have experienced reduced income and greater financial insecurity, leading to touring artists and other creative professionals increasingly to consider leaving the sector. Sector representatives have also reported increased difficulty in undertaking cultural diplomacy and showcasing Scottish work internationally, as well as a weakening of the international networks that are critical for supporting cross border collaboration.\n\nOn 23 March 2026, Arts Infopoint UK, a cultural mobility initiative delivered in partnership by Arts Council of Wales, Creative Scotland, Arts Council England and Arts Council Northern Ireland, published research into the value of, and barriers to, international working and cultural collaboration based on evidence from across the creative sectors. The report can be found at: [UK-EU Arts Survey 2026 \\| Arts Infopoint UK \\| Gwybodfan Celf y DU](https:\/\/artsinfopointuk.com\/uk-eu-arts-survey-2026)\n\n### Scottish Government priorities\nThe [Common Understanding text](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/ukeu-summit-key-documentation\/uk-eu-summit-common-understanding-html) agreed at the UK-EU Leaders’ Summit on 19 May 2025 included the following (paragraph 15): ‘The European Commission and the United Kingdom recognise the value of travel and cultural and artistic exchanges, including the activities of touring artists. They will continue their efforts to support travel and cultural exchange.’\n\nThe Scottish Government considers that further action is now needed to move forward on this commitment. The next Leaders’ Summit – expected to take place in summer 2026 – provides an opportunity to make progress.\n\n#### Visa-free arrangements for creative professionals\nThe Scottish Government considers an EU wide visa exemption for creative professionals to be the most practical means of reducing barriers to touring. Such an exemption would allow artists and other cultural workers to undertake short term activities in the UK and EU without the need for a visa, while still meeting standard entry requirements such as the UK ETA or the EU Entry\/Exit System. These requirements involve minimal cost and administration compared to full visa or work permit applications.\n\nTaking action on an EU wide visa exemption can be done through the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which provides for a review of visa free business activities. The Scottish Government has consistently called for the UK and thr EU to expand the categories of travellers eligible for visa free entry, including creative professionals. It may also be possible to negotiate a separate, reciprocal agreement on visa exemptions for this group, similar to arrangements the EU has with other third countries.\n\nNew requirements such as the UK ETA and the EU Entry\/Exit System mean that short term travel now involves a baseline level of administrative steps for most travellers. In this policy note, \"visa free\" denotes a visa exemption rather than the removal of border controls altogether. Under such arrangements, creative professionals would continue to meet standard entry requirements, such as the ETA, which costs under £20, or the EU biometric process, which has no associated fee. These systems impose significantly lower financial and administrative burdens than full visa or work permit applications, which can amount to several hundred pounds and require extensive documentation. The approach to delivering such a visa exempt route would be for the UK Government to determine, though this could include enabling creative professionals to undertake short term work on the basis of an ETA alone. Ensuring that remaining requirements are proportionate is therefore critical to supporting short term touring.\n\nAny such agreement would require both the UK and the EU to be willing to make concessions. As broader political issues are resolved, renewed engagement will be necessary to ensure that a mutually beneficial agreement can be reached.\n\n#### Customs\nWhile customs relations are likely to be dictated by the wider relationship between the UK and the EU, as well as other international agreements, the UK and the EU should consider where exemptions can be put in place for creative professionals. In particular, the cost and administrative burden of ATA Carnet requirements should be alleviated wherever possible.\n\nWhere exemptions cannot be put in place, both the UK and the EU should consider what support can be delivered to mitigate the impacts of customs requirements, including expanding locations where the carnets can be processed.\n\n#### Cabotage\nThe UK and the EU should consider what further exemptions could be put in place for hauliers transporting equipment for touring artists. In particular, expanding exemptions to include larger vehicles transporting equipment for bigger production groups, such as orchestral or theatre performances, should be considered.\n\n### Benefits for creative professionals and audiences in Scotland\nScotland’s culture and creative sectors also benefit significantly from creative professionals coming to work in Scotland, both on a long and short term basis. Such touring artists and professionals visiting Scotland help to build cross-border networks, facilitate innovation, and provide vital skills to the sector.\n\nScotland’s festivals, for example, benefit hugely from those who come to participate from elsewhere. This international cultural exchange makes Scotland’s creative sectors more vibrant, diverse, and successful, which further helps communities across Scotland to engage with as wide a range of cultures as possible.\n\nThe Scottish Government has also published further evidence on the [benefits of enhanced cultural cooperation with the EU](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/benefits-of-enhancing-cultural-cooperation-with-the-eu-evidence-from-scottish-stakeholders\/).\n\nAs where Scottish Government has published other papers on EU-UK negotiations – for example on [rejoining the Creative Europe programme](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/creative-europe-reassociation-position-paper\/), or [enabling a youth mobility agreement with the EU](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/youth-mobility-agreement-with-the-eu-position-paper\/) – the measures outlined in this paper are an opportunity to create shared benefit for Scotland, the rest of the UK, and the EU.\n\n### Next steps\nThe UK Government’s decision to seek a closer relationship with the EU, and the progress already made by both parties on agreeing in different policy areas to achieve this, are welcome developments. Given the increasing willingness among not just the cultural sector but also the general public to recognise the harms that Brexit has created for touring professionals, the Scottish Government calls for further agreement now on the points above, and stands ready to work collaboratively with the UK Government and wider partners to this end.\n\n[![](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/assets\/images\/documents\/svg\/pdf.svg)](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/binaries\/content\/documents\/govscot\/publications\/factsheet\/2026\/03\/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu\/documents\/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu-position-paper\/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu-position-paper\/govscot%3Adocument\/Touring%2Bartists%2Band%2Bcreative%2Bpractitioners%2Bin%2Bthe%2BEU%2Bposition%2Bpaper.pdf \"Touring artists and creative practitioners in the EU position paper\")\n\n[Touring artists and creative practitioners in the EU position paper](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/binaries\/content\/documents\/govscot\/publications\/factsheet\/2026\/03\/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu\/documents\/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu-position-paper\/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu-position-paper\/govscot%3Adocument\/Touring%2Bartists%2Band%2Bcreative%2Bpractitioners%2Bin%2Bthe%2BEU%2Bposition%2Bpaper.pdf)\n\nFile type\n\nPDF\n\nFile size\n\n617\\.5 kB\n\n### Contact\n[contactus@gov.scot](mailto:contactus@gov.scot)\n\nThanks for your feedback\n\n[Back to top](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu\/#page-top)\n\n## Follow The Scottish Government\n- [Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheScottishGovernment\/timeline\/ \"Facebook\")\n- [X](https:\/\/x.com\/scotgov \"X\")\n- [Flickr](https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/26320652@N02 \"Flickr\")\n- [YouTube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/scottishgovernment \"YouTube\")\n- [Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/scotgov\/ \"Instagram\")\n\n- [Accessibility](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/accessibility\/)\n- [Archive](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/archive\/)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/about\/contact-information\/)\n- [Cookies](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/cookies\/)\n- [Crown Copyright](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/crown-copyright\/)\n- [Jobs and vacancies](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/about\/contact-information\/jobs-vacancies)\n- [Privacy](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/privacy\/)\n\n![Open Government License](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/assets\/images\/logos\/ogl.svg)\n\nAll content is available under the [Open Government Licence v3.0](https:\/\/www.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/doc\/open-government-licence\/version\/3\/), except for graphic assets and where otherwise stated\n\n© Crown Copyright\n\n![gov.scot](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/assets\/images\/logos\/scottish-government--min.svg)","attrs_readable_markdown":"### Introduction and purpose\nThis paper sets out the Scottish Government’s priorities for supporting mobility of creative professionals moving between the UK and the EU for short-term work, such as touring. It highlights the opportunity under the current UK-EU negotiating process to address the current challenges facing the culture sector and proposes actions we consider necessary to resolve these concerns and maximise opportunities for touring artists and creative professionals.\n\n### The value of international working for creative practitioners\nShort-term international work is a essential for the culture and creative sectors, enabling artists and organisations to generate income, reach new audiences, collaborate across borders and build vital professional networks, as well as to showcase Scotland’s creative sectors internationally. At a national level, international touring is a central element of Scotland’s cultural exports.\n\nA broad range of activities exists within the definition of international working. While public attention is rightly focused on challenges and experiences of touring artists, many other creative professionals also depend on short term international work. This includes those working in screen production, visual arts, and theatre, and specialists in sound, lighting and related technical fields, and professionals responsible for logistics support and management.\n\nIt is unsurprising therefore that the ability to tour internationally is highly valued by those in the creative professions from across the UK. [Research by Arts Council England in 2017](https:\/\/www.artscouncil.org.uk\/sites\/default\/files\/download-file\/Arts%20Council_Brexit%20Research%202017_Report_FINAL.pdf) found that of the organisations which conduct any international activity, “4 in 5 (80%) consider artistic exchange to be important to their organisation and its work and two thirds (67%) gave it the highest possible importance score (five out of five)”.\n\n### Barriers to international working\nThe rest of Europe has long been one of the most important international audiences for Scottish artists touring overseas. When the UK was a member state of the EU, freedom of movement was a critical enabling factor for this touring. In turn Brexit has created a range of new barriers that significantly disrupt access to this vital market.\n\n#### Visa requirements\nThe replacing of the former visa-free travel possible in the EU with multiple different visa agreements across the 27 member states creates very significant administrative and financial burdens for artists and other professionals from the UK. Whereas currently, some EU member states have no visa or work permit requirements in place for creative professionals from the UK, and many have exemptions, the nature and extent of any exemptions vary significantly from country to country. Furthermore, many EU member states have applied their own visa requirements for UK creative professionals, creating complexity and substantial additional work involved in meeting these conditions, as well as the costs associated with the required fees.\n\nThis imposes particular burdens for any new entrants and those applicants not familiar with the extensive administration involved, and significantly complicates travel for groups where different individuals will be subject to different requirements.\n\nCurrently there is no relief offered to these requirements from the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) negotiated at the time of Brexit, as, while there are EU-wide visa exemptions for certain business travellers, creative professionals are not included in this exemption. With the [EU’s Visa Strategy](https:\/\/home-affairs.ec.europa.eu\/eu-visa-strategy_en) proposing the creation of new rules for extended short stays for touring artists, a new opportunity to address these areas may now exist.\n\n#### Customs\nTaking equipment abroad can also require an expensive, itemised custom permit (called an ATA carnet), adding to both the costs and administration associated with touring. Furthermore, as the availability in the UK for processing these permits is very limited – for seaports, only those in the south of England, and for airports in Scotland, only those in the central belt – the logistics of those touring from outside these areas is significantly limited.\n\n#### Haulage and cabotage\nRestrictions introduced after Brexit on hauliers’ operations limit specialist road haulage movements (known as cabotage) for UK organisations within an EU Member State to two movements per week. While cabotage arrangements were already in place before Brexit, the post-exit rules are more restrictive for UK operators. Although limited exemptions exist for smaller vehicles carrying both people and equipment together, these restrictions continue to apply to larger vehicles. For cultural groups such as orchestras, music ensembles, or theatrical production teams, this can add complexity and reduce flexibility when specialist road haulage is required.\n\nThe Scottish Government recognises that increasing costs form one of the main barriers to international touring, particularly in relation to the music sector and we are taking action to provide additional funding to mitigate these this through a pilot International Touring Fund for Music, delivered by Creative Scotland. Nevertheless, the scale of the restrictions created by Brexit represent significant structural barriers to international working for the sector, and should be addressed.\n\n### Impacts on the sector\nThe concerns being raised by the Scottish Government are those of the cultural sector and stakeholders themselves. Representatives within the sector in Scotland – for example members of the Scottish Commercial Music Industry Taskforce – have reported directly that since the UK left the EU, they have experienced reduced income and greater financial insecurity, leading to touring artists and other creative professionals increasingly to consider leaving the sector. Sector representatives have also reported increased difficulty in undertaking cultural diplomacy and showcasing Scottish work internationally, as well as a weakening of the international networks that are critical for supporting cross border collaboration.\n\nOn 23 March 2026, Arts Infopoint UK, a cultural mobility initiative delivered in partnership by Arts Council of Wales, Creative Scotland, Arts Council England and Arts Council Northern Ireland, published research into the value of, and barriers to, international working and cultural collaboration based on evidence from across the creative sectors. The report can be found at: [UK-EU Arts Survey 2026 \\| Arts Infopoint UK \\| Gwybodfan Celf y DU](https:\/\/artsinfopointuk.com\/uk-eu-arts-survey-2026)\n\n### Scottish Government priorities\nThe [Common Understanding text](https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/ukeu-summit-key-documentation\/uk-eu-summit-common-understanding-html) agreed at the UK-EU Leaders’ Summit on 19 May 2025 included the following (paragraph 15): ‘The European Commission and the United Kingdom recognise the value of travel and cultural and artistic exchanges, including the activities of touring artists. They will continue their efforts to support travel and cultural exchange.’\n\nThe Scottish Government considers that further action is now needed to move forward on this commitment. The next Leaders’ Summit – expected to take place in summer 2026 – provides an opportunity to make progress.\n\n#### Visa-free arrangements for creative professionals\nThe Scottish Government considers an EU wide visa exemption for creative professionals to be the most practical means of reducing barriers to touring. Such an exemption would allow artists and other cultural workers to undertake short term activities in the UK and EU without the need for a visa, while still meeting standard entry requirements such as the UK ETA or the EU Entry\/Exit System. These requirements involve minimal cost and administration compared to full visa or work permit applications.\n\nTaking action on an EU wide visa exemption can be done through the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which provides for a review of visa free business activities. The Scottish Government has consistently called for the UK and thr EU to expand the categories of travellers eligible for visa free entry, including creative professionals. It may also be possible to negotiate a separate, reciprocal agreement on visa exemptions for this group, similar to arrangements the EU has with other third countries.\n\nNew requirements such as the UK ETA and the EU Entry\/Exit System mean that short term travel now involves a baseline level of administrative steps for most travellers. In this policy note, \"visa free\" denotes a visa exemption rather than the removal of border controls altogether. Under such arrangements, creative professionals would continue to meet standard entry requirements, such as the ETA, which costs under £20, or the EU biometric process, which has no associated fee. These systems impose significantly lower financial and administrative burdens than full visa or work permit applications, which can amount to several hundred pounds and require extensive documentation. The approach to delivering such a visa exempt route would be for the UK Government to determine, though this could include enabling creative professionals to undertake short term work on the basis of an ETA alone. Ensuring that remaining requirements are proportionate is therefore critical to supporting short term touring.\n\nAny such agreement would require both the UK and the EU to be willing to make concessions. As broader political issues are resolved, renewed engagement will be necessary to ensure that a mutually beneficial agreement can be reached.\n\n#### Customs\nWhile customs relations are likely to be dictated by the wider relationship between the UK and the EU, as well as other international agreements, the UK and the EU should consider where exemptions can be put in place for creative professionals. In particular, the cost and administrative burden of ATA Carnet requirements should be alleviated wherever possible.\n\nWhere exemptions cannot be put in place, both the UK and the EU should consider what support can be delivered to mitigate the impacts of customs requirements, including expanding locations where the carnets can be processed.\n\n#### Cabotage\nThe UK and the EU should consider what further exemptions could be put in place for hauliers transporting equipment for touring artists. In particular, expanding exemptions to include larger vehicles transporting equipment for bigger production groups, such as orchestral or theatre performances, should be considered.\n\n### Benefits for creative professionals and audiences in Scotland\nScotland’s culture and creative sectors also benefit significantly from creative professionals coming to work in Scotland, both on a long and short term basis. Such touring artists and professionals visiting Scotland help to build cross-border networks, facilitate innovation, and provide vital skills to the sector.\n\nScotland’s festivals, for example, benefit hugely from those who come to participate from elsewhere. This international cultural exchange makes Scotland’s creative sectors more vibrant, diverse, and successful, which further helps communities across Scotland to engage with as wide a range of cultures as possible.\n\nThe Scottish Government has also published further evidence on the [benefits of enhanced cultural cooperation with the EU](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/benefits-of-enhancing-cultural-cooperation-with-the-eu-evidence-from-scottish-stakeholders\/).\n\nAs where Scottish Government has published other papers on EU-UK negotiations – for example on [rejoining the Creative Europe programme](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/creative-europe-reassociation-position-paper\/), or [enabling a youth mobility agreement with the EU](https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/youth-mobility-agreement-with-the-eu-position-paper\/) – the measures outlined in this paper are an opportunity to create shared benefit for Scotland, the rest of the UK, and the EU.\n\n### Next steps\nThe UK Government’s decision to seek a closer relationship with the EU, and the progress already made by both parties on agreeing in different policy areas to achieve this, are welcome developments. Given the increasing willingness among not just the cultural sector but also the general public to recognise the harms that Brexit has created for touring professionals, the Scottish Government calls for further agreement now on the points above, and stands ready to work collaboratively with the UK Government and wider partners to this end.","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

12 days ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0.4 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://www.gov.scot/publications/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu/
Last Crawled	2026-04-07 19:00:39 (12 days ago)
First Indexed	2026-03-26 07:45:10 (25 days ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	Touring artists and creative practitioners in the EU - gov.scot
Meta Description	This paper summarises the Scottish Government's position on touring artists and creative practitioners in the EU. It covers the impact of Brexit on the sector and potential mitigations.
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	Introduction and purpose This paper sets out the Scottish Government’s priorities for supporting mobility of creative professionals moving between the UK and the EU for short-term work, such as touring. It highlights the opportunity under the current UK-EU negotiating process to address the current challenges facing the culture sector and proposes actions we consider necessary to resolve these concerns and maximise opportunities for touring artists and creative professionals. The value of international working for creative practitioners Short-term international work is a essential for the culture and creative sectors, enabling artists and organisations to generate income, reach new audiences, collaborate across borders and build vital professional networks, as well as to showcase Scotland’s creative sectors internationally. At a national level, international touring is a central element of Scotland’s cultural exports. A broad range of activities exists within the definition of international working. While public attention is rightly focused on challenges and experiences of touring artists, many other creative professionals also depend on short term international work. This includes those working in screen production, visual arts, and theatre, and specialists in sound, lighting and related technical fields, and professionals responsible for logistics support and management. It is unsurprising therefore that the ability to tour internationally is highly valued by those in the creative professions from across the UK. Research by Arts Council England in 2017 found that of the organisations which conduct any international activity, “4 in 5 (80%) consider artistic exchange to be important to their organisation and its work and two thirds (67%) gave it the highest possible importance score (five out of five)”. Barriers to international working The rest of Europe has long been one of the most important international audiences for Scottish artists touring overseas. When the UK was a member state of the EU, freedom of movement was a critical enabling factor for this touring. In turn Brexit has created a range of new barriers that significantly disrupt access to this vital market. Visa requirements The replacing of the former visa-free travel possible in the EU with multiple different visa agreements across the 27 member states creates very significant administrative and financial burdens for artists and other professionals from the UK. Whereas currently, some EU member states have no visa or work permit requirements in place for creative professionals from the UK, and many have exemptions, the nature and extent of any exemptions vary significantly from country to country. Furthermore, many EU member states have applied their own visa requirements for UK creative professionals, creating complexity and substantial additional work involved in meeting these conditions, as well as the costs associated with the required fees. This imposes particular burdens for any new entrants and those applicants not familiar with the extensive administration involved, and significantly complicates travel for groups where different individuals will be subject to different requirements. Currently there is no relief offered to these requirements from the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) negotiated at the time of Brexit, as, while there are EU-wide visa exemptions for certain business travellers, creative professionals are not included in this exemption. With the EU’s Visa Strategy proposing the creation of new rules for extended short stays for touring artists, a new opportunity to address these areas may now exist. Customs Taking equipment abroad can also require an expensive, itemised custom permit (called an ATA carnet), adding to both the costs and administration associated with touring. Furthermore, as the availability in the UK for processing these permits is very limited – for seaports, only those in the south of England, and for airports in Scotland, only those in the central belt – the logistics of those touring from outside these areas is significantly limited. Haulage and cabotage Restrictions introduced after Brexit on hauliers’ operations limit specialist road haulage movements (known as cabotage) for UK organisations within an EU Member State to two movements per week. While cabotage arrangements were already in place before Brexit, the post-exit rules are more restrictive for UK operators. Although limited exemptions exist for smaller vehicles carrying both people and equipment together, these restrictions continue to apply to larger vehicles. For cultural groups such as orchestras, music ensembles, or theatrical production teams, this can add complexity and reduce flexibility when specialist road haulage is required. The Scottish Government recognises that increasing costs form one of the main barriers to international touring, particularly in relation to the music sector and we are taking action to provide additional funding to mitigate these this through a pilot International Touring Fund for Music, delivered by Creative Scotland. Nevertheless, the scale of the restrictions created by Brexit represent significant structural barriers to international working for the sector, and should be addressed. Impacts on the sector The concerns being raised by the Scottish Government are those of the cultural sector and stakeholders themselves. Representatives within the sector in Scotland – for example members of the Scottish Commercial Music Industry Taskforce – have reported directly that since the UK left the EU, they have experienced reduced income and greater financial insecurity, leading to touring artists and other creative professionals increasingly to consider leaving the sector. Sector representatives have also reported increased difficulty in undertaking cultural diplomacy and showcasing Scottish work internationally, as well as a weakening of the international networks that are critical for supporting cross border collaboration. On 23 March 2026, Arts Infopoint UK, a cultural mobility initiative delivered in partnership by Arts Council of Wales, Creative Scotland, Arts Council England and Arts Council Northern Ireland, published research into the value of, and barriers to, international working and cultural collaboration based on evidence from across the creative sectors. The report can be found at: UK-EU Arts Survey 2026 \| Arts Infopoint UK \| Gwybodfan Celf y DU Scottish Government priorities The Common Understanding text agreed at the UK-EU Leaders’ Summit on 19 May 2025 included the following (paragraph 15): ‘The European Commission and the United Kingdom recognise the value of travel and cultural and artistic exchanges, including the activities of touring artists. They will continue their efforts to support travel and cultural exchange.’ The Scottish Government considers that further action is now needed to move forward on this commitment. The next Leaders’ Summit – expected to take place in summer 2026 – provides an opportunity to make progress. Visa-free arrangements for creative professionals The Scottish Government considers an EU wide visa exemption for creative professionals to be the most practical means of reducing barriers to touring. Such an exemption would allow artists and other cultural workers to undertake short term activities in the UK and EU without the need for a visa, while still meeting standard entry requirements such as the UK ETA or the EU Entry/Exit System. These requirements involve minimal cost and administration compared to full visa or work permit applications. Taking action on an EU wide visa exemption can be done through the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which provides for a review of visa free business activities. The Scottish Government has consistently called for the UK and thr EU to expand the categories of travellers eligible for visa free entry, including creative professionals. It may also be possible to negotiate a separate, reciprocal agreement on visa exemptions for this group, similar to arrangements the EU has with other third countries. New requirements such as the UK ETA and the EU Entry/Exit System mean that short term travel now involves a baseline level of administrative steps for most travellers. In this policy note, "visa free" denotes a visa exemption rather than the removal of border controls altogether. Under such arrangements, creative professionals would continue to meet standard entry requirements, such as the ETA, which costs under £20, or the EU biometric process, which has no associated fee. These systems impose significantly lower financial and administrative burdens than full visa or work permit applications, which can amount to several hundred pounds and require extensive documentation. The approach to delivering such a visa exempt route would be for the UK Government to determine, though this could include enabling creative professionals to undertake short term work on the basis of an ETA alone. Ensuring that remaining requirements are proportionate is therefore critical to supporting short term touring. Any such agreement would require both the UK and the EU to be willing to make concessions. As broader political issues are resolved, renewed engagement will be necessary to ensure that a mutually beneficial agreement can be reached. Customs While customs relations are likely to be dictated by the wider relationship between the UK and the EU, as well as other international agreements, the UK and the EU should consider where exemptions can be put in place for creative professionals. In particular, the cost and administrative burden of ATA Carnet requirements should be alleviated wherever possible. Where exemptions cannot be put in place, both the UK and the EU should consider what support can be delivered to mitigate the impacts of customs requirements, including expanding locations where the carnets can be processed. Cabotage The UK and the EU should consider what further exemptions could be put in place for hauliers transporting equipment for touring artists. In particular, expanding exemptions to include larger vehicles transporting equipment for bigger production groups, such as orchestral or theatre performances, should be considered. Benefits for creative professionals and audiences in Scotland Scotland’s culture and creative sectors also benefit significantly from creative professionals coming to work in Scotland, both on a long and short term basis. Such touring artists and professionals visiting Scotland help to build cross-border networks, facilitate innovation, and provide vital skills to the sector. Scotland’s festivals, for example, benefit hugely from those who come to participate from elsewhere. This international cultural exchange makes Scotland’s creative sectors more vibrant, diverse, and successful, which further helps communities across Scotland to engage with as wide a range of cultures as possible. The Scottish Government has also published further evidence on the benefits of enhanced cultural cooperation with the EU . As where Scottish Government has published other papers on EU-UK negotiations – for example on rejoining the Creative Europe programme , or enabling a youth mobility agreement with the EU – the measures outlined in this paper are an opportunity to create shared benefit for Scotland, the rest of the UK, and the EU. Next steps The UK Government’s decision to seek a closer relationship with the EU, and the progress already made by both parties on agreeing in different policy areas to achieve this, are welcome developments. Given the increasing willingness among not just the cultural sector but also the general public to recognise the harms that Brexit has created for touring professionals, the Scottish Government calls for further agreement now on the points above, and stands ready to work collaboratively with the UK Government and wider partners to this end.
Markdown	- [Skip to main content](https://www.gov.scot/publications/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu/#main-content) - [Accessibility help](https://www.gov.scot/accessibility/) ## Information We use [cookies](https://www.gov.scot/cookies/) to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience. Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies. Accept all cookies Use essential cookies only [Set cookie preferences](https://www.gov.scot/cookies/) Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can [change your cookie settings](https://www.gov.scot/cookies/) at any time. Information [Scottish Parliament election](https://www.parliament.scot/msps/elections/election-2026): 7 May. This site won't be routinely updated during the pre-election period. Close this notification [![Scottish Government](https://www.gov.scot/assets/images/logos/scotgovlogo.svg)](https://www.gov.scot/) Menu - [About](https://www.gov.scot/about/) - [Topics](https://www.gov.scot/topics/) - [News](https://www.gov.scot/news/) - [Publications](https://www.gov.scot/publications/) - [Statistics and research](https://www.gov.scot/statistics-and-research/) - [Consultations](https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/) - [Blogs](https://blogs.gov.scot/) - [About](https://www.gov.scot/about/) - [Topics](https://www.gov.scot/topics/) - [News](https://www.gov.scot/news/) - [Publications](https://www.gov.scot/publications/) - [Statistics and research](https://www.gov.scot/statistics-and-research/) - [Consultations](https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/) - [Blogs](https://blogs.gov.scot/) 1. [Home](https://www.gov.scot/) 2. [Publications](https://www.gov.scot/publications/) Publication - Factsheet # Touring artists and creative practitioners in the EU Published 25 March 2026 Directorate [Culture and External Affairs Directorate](https://www.gov.scot/about/how-government-is-run/directorates/culture-and-external-affairs-directorate/) Topic [Arts, culture and sport](https://www.gov.scot/arts-culture-and-sport/), [Brexit](https://www.gov.scot/brexit/) This paper summarises the Scottish Government's position on touring artists and creative practitioners in the EU. It covers the impact of Brexit on the sector and potential mitigations. *** ### Introduction and purpose This paper sets out the Scottish Government’s priorities for supporting mobility of creative professionals moving between the UK and the EU for short-term work, such as touring. It highlights the opportunity under the current UK-EU negotiating process to address the current challenges facing the culture sector and proposes actions we consider necessary to resolve these concerns and maximise opportunities for touring artists and creative professionals. ### The value of international working for creative practitioners Short-term international work is a essential for the culture and creative sectors, enabling artists and organisations to generate income, reach new audiences, collaborate across borders and build vital professional networks, as well as to showcase Scotland’s creative sectors internationally. At a national level, international touring is a central element of Scotland’s cultural exports. A broad range of activities exists within the definition of international working. While public attention is rightly focused on challenges and experiences of touring artists, many other creative professionals also depend on short term international work. This includes those working in screen production, visual arts, and theatre, and specialists in sound, lighting and related technical fields, and professionals responsible for logistics support and management. It is unsurprising therefore that the ability to tour internationally is highly valued by those in the creative professions from across the UK. [Research by Arts Council England in 2017](https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/sites/default/files/download-file/Arts%20Council_Brexit%20Research%202017_Report_FINAL.pdf) found that of the organisations which conduct any international activity, “4 in 5 (80%) consider artistic exchange to be important to their organisation and its work and two thirds (67%) gave it the highest possible importance score (five out of five)”. ### Barriers to international working The rest of Europe has long been one of the most important international audiences for Scottish artists touring overseas. When the UK was a member state of the EU, freedom of movement was a critical enabling factor for this touring. In turn Brexit has created a range of new barriers that significantly disrupt access to this vital market. #### Visa requirements The replacing of the former visa-free travel possible in the EU with multiple different visa agreements across the 27 member states creates very significant administrative and financial burdens for artists and other professionals from the UK. Whereas currently, some EU member states have no visa or work permit requirements in place for creative professionals from the UK, and many have exemptions, the nature and extent of any exemptions vary significantly from country to country. Furthermore, many EU member states have applied their own visa requirements for UK creative professionals, creating complexity and substantial additional work involved in meeting these conditions, as well as the costs associated with the required fees. This imposes particular burdens for any new entrants and those applicants not familiar with the extensive administration involved, and significantly complicates travel for groups where different individuals will be subject to different requirements. Currently there is no relief offered to these requirements from the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) negotiated at the time of Brexit, as, while there are EU-wide visa exemptions for certain business travellers, creative professionals are not included in this exemption. With the [EU’s Visa Strategy](https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/eu-visa-strategy_en) proposing the creation of new rules for extended short stays for touring artists, a new opportunity to address these areas may now exist. #### Customs Taking equipment abroad can also require an expensive, itemised custom permit (called an ATA carnet), adding to both the costs and administration associated with touring. Furthermore, as the availability in the UK for processing these permits is very limited – for seaports, only those in the south of England, and for airports in Scotland, only those in the central belt – the logistics of those touring from outside these areas is significantly limited. #### Haulage and cabotage Restrictions introduced after Brexit on hauliers’ operations limit specialist road haulage movements (known as cabotage) for UK organisations within an EU Member State to two movements per week. While cabotage arrangements were already in place before Brexit, the post-exit rules are more restrictive for UK operators. Although limited exemptions exist for smaller vehicles carrying both people and equipment together, these restrictions continue to apply to larger vehicles. For cultural groups such as orchestras, music ensembles, or theatrical production teams, this can add complexity and reduce flexibility when specialist road haulage is required. The Scottish Government recognises that increasing costs form one of the main barriers to international touring, particularly in relation to the music sector and we are taking action to provide additional funding to mitigate these this through a pilot International Touring Fund for Music, delivered by Creative Scotland. Nevertheless, the scale of the restrictions created by Brexit represent significant structural barriers to international working for the sector, and should be addressed. ### Impacts on the sector The concerns being raised by the Scottish Government are those of the cultural sector and stakeholders themselves. Representatives within the sector in Scotland – for example members of the Scottish Commercial Music Industry Taskforce – have reported directly that since the UK left the EU, they have experienced reduced income and greater financial insecurity, leading to touring artists and other creative professionals increasingly to consider leaving the sector. Sector representatives have also reported increased difficulty in undertaking cultural diplomacy and showcasing Scottish work internationally, as well as a weakening of the international networks that are critical for supporting cross border collaboration. On 23 March 2026, Arts Infopoint UK, a cultural mobility initiative delivered in partnership by Arts Council of Wales, Creative Scotland, Arts Council England and Arts Council Northern Ireland, published research into the value of, and barriers to, international working and cultural collaboration based on evidence from across the creative sectors. The report can be found at: [UK-EU Arts Survey 2026 \\| Arts Infopoint UK \\| Gwybodfan Celf y DU](https://artsinfopointuk.com/uk-eu-arts-survey-2026) ### Scottish Government priorities The [Common Understanding text](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukeu-summit-key-documentation/uk-eu-summit-common-understanding-html) agreed at the UK-EU Leaders’ Summit on 19 May 2025 included the following (paragraph 15): ‘The European Commission and the United Kingdom recognise the value of travel and cultural and artistic exchanges, including the activities of touring artists. They will continue their efforts to support travel and cultural exchange.’ The Scottish Government considers that further action is now needed to move forward on this commitment. The next Leaders’ Summit – expected to take place in summer 2026 – provides an opportunity to make progress. #### Visa-free arrangements for creative professionals The Scottish Government considers an EU wide visa exemption for creative professionals to be the most practical means of reducing barriers to touring. Such an exemption would allow artists and other cultural workers to undertake short term activities in the UK and EU without the need for a visa, while still meeting standard entry requirements such as the UK ETA or the EU Entry/Exit System. These requirements involve minimal cost and administration compared to full visa or work permit applications. Taking action on an EU wide visa exemption can be done through the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which provides for a review of visa free business activities. The Scottish Government has consistently called for the UK and thr EU to expand the categories of travellers eligible for visa free entry, including creative professionals. It may also be possible to negotiate a separate, reciprocal agreement on visa exemptions for this group, similar to arrangements the EU has with other third countries. New requirements such as the UK ETA and the EU Entry/Exit System mean that short term travel now involves a baseline level of administrative steps for most travellers. In this policy note, "visa free" denotes a visa exemption rather than the removal of border controls altogether. Under such arrangements, creative professionals would continue to meet standard entry requirements, such as the ETA, which costs under £20, or the EU biometric process, which has no associated fee. These systems impose significantly lower financial and administrative burdens than full visa or work permit applications, which can amount to several hundred pounds and require extensive documentation. The approach to delivering such a visa exempt route would be for the UK Government to determine, though this could include enabling creative professionals to undertake short term work on the basis of an ETA alone. Ensuring that remaining requirements are proportionate is therefore critical to supporting short term touring. Any such agreement would require both the UK and the EU to be willing to make concessions. As broader political issues are resolved, renewed engagement will be necessary to ensure that a mutually beneficial agreement can be reached. #### Customs While customs relations are likely to be dictated by the wider relationship between the UK and the EU, as well as other international agreements, the UK and the EU should consider where exemptions can be put in place for creative professionals. In particular, the cost and administrative burden of ATA Carnet requirements should be alleviated wherever possible. Where exemptions cannot be put in place, both the UK and the EU should consider what support can be delivered to mitigate the impacts of customs requirements, including expanding locations where the carnets can be processed. #### Cabotage The UK and the EU should consider what further exemptions could be put in place for hauliers transporting equipment for touring artists. In particular, expanding exemptions to include larger vehicles transporting equipment for bigger production groups, such as orchestral or theatre performances, should be considered. ### Benefits for creative professionals and audiences in Scotland Scotland’s culture and creative sectors also benefit significantly from creative professionals coming to work in Scotland, both on a long and short term basis. Such touring artists and professionals visiting Scotland help to build cross-border networks, facilitate innovation, and provide vital skills to the sector. Scotland’s festivals, for example, benefit hugely from those who come to participate from elsewhere. This international cultural exchange makes Scotland’s creative sectors more vibrant, diverse, and successful, which further helps communities across Scotland to engage with as wide a range of cultures as possible. The Scottish Government has also published further evidence on the [benefits of enhanced cultural cooperation with the EU](https://www.gov.scot/publications/benefits-of-enhancing-cultural-cooperation-with-the-eu-evidence-from-scottish-stakeholders/). As where Scottish Government has published other papers on EU-UK negotiations – for example on [rejoining the Creative Europe programme](https://www.gov.scot/publications/creative-europe-reassociation-position-paper/), or [enabling a youth mobility agreement with the EU](https://www.gov.scot/publications/youth-mobility-agreement-with-the-eu-position-paper/) – the measures outlined in this paper are an opportunity to create shared benefit for Scotland, the rest of the UK, and the EU. ### Next steps The UK Government’s decision to seek a closer relationship with the EU, and the progress already made by both parties on agreeing in different policy areas to achieve this, are welcome developments. Given the increasing willingness among not just the cultural sector but also the general public to recognise the harms that Brexit has created for touring professionals, the Scottish Government calls for further agreement now on the points above, and stands ready to work collaboratively with the UK Government and wider partners to this end. [![](https://www.gov.scot/assets/images/documents/svg/pdf.svg)](https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/factsheet/2026/03/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu/documents/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu-position-paper/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu-position-paper/govscot%3Adocument/Touring%2Bartists%2Band%2Bcreative%2Bpractitioners%2Bin%2Bthe%2BEU%2Bposition%2Bpaper.pdf "Touring artists and creative practitioners in the EU position paper") [Touring artists and creative practitioners in the EU position paper](https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/factsheet/2026/03/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu/documents/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu-position-paper/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu-position-paper/govscot%3Adocument/Touring%2Bartists%2Band%2Bcreative%2Bpractitioners%2Bin%2Bthe%2BEU%2Bposition%2Bpaper.pdf) File type PDF File size 617\.5 kB ### Contact [contactus@gov.scot](mailto:contactus@gov.scot) Thanks for your feedback [Back to top](https://www.gov.scot/publications/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu/#page-top) ## Follow The Scottish Government - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TheScottishGovernment/timeline/ "Facebook") - [X](https://x.com/scotgov "X") - [Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/26320652@N02 "Flickr") - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/scottishgovernment "YouTube") - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/scotgov/ "Instagram") - [Accessibility](https://www.gov.scot/accessibility/) - [Archive](https://www.gov.scot/archive/) - [Contact](https://www.gov.scot/about/contact-information/) - [Cookies](https://www.gov.scot/cookies/) - [Crown Copyright](https://www.gov.scot/crown-copyright/) - [Jobs and vacancies](https://www.gov.scot/about/contact-information/jobs-vacancies) - [Privacy](https://www.gov.scot/privacy/) ![Open Government License](https://www.gov.scot/assets/images/logos/ogl.svg) All content is available under the [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/), except for graphic assets and where otherwise stated © Crown Copyright ![gov.scot](https://www.gov.scot/assets/images/logos/scottish-government--min.svg)
Readable Markdown	### Introduction and purpose This paper sets out the Scottish Government’s priorities for supporting mobility of creative professionals moving between the UK and the EU for short-term work, such as touring. It highlights the opportunity under the current UK-EU negotiating process to address the current challenges facing the culture sector and proposes actions we consider necessary to resolve these concerns and maximise opportunities for touring artists and creative professionals. ### The value of international working for creative practitioners Short-term international work is a essential for the culture and creative sectors, enabling artists and organisations to generate income, reach new audiences, collaborate across borders and build vital professional networks, as well as to showcase Scotland’s creative sectors internationally. At a national level, international touring is a central element of Scotland’s cultural exports. A broad range of activities exists within the definition of international working. While public attention is rightly focused on challenges and experiences of touring artists, many other creative professionals also depend on short term international work. This includes those working in screen production, visual arts, and theatre, and specialists in sound, lighting and related technical fields, and professionals responsible for logistics support and management. It is unsurprising therefore that the ability to tour internationally is highly valued by those in the creative professions from across the UK. [Research by Arts Council England in 2017](https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/sites/default/files/download-file/Arts%20Council_Brexit%20Research%202017_Report_FINAL.pdf) found that of the organisations which conduct any international activity, “4 in 5 (80%) consider artistic exchange to be important to their organisation and its work and two thirds (67%) gave it the highest possible importance score (five out of five)”. ### Barriers to international working The rest of Europe has long been one of the most important international audiences for Scottish artists touring overseas. When the UK was a member state of the EU, freedom of movement was a critical enabling factor for this touring. In turn Brexit has created a range of new barriers that significantly disrupt access to this vital market. #### Visa requirements The replacing of the former visa-free travel possible in the EU with multiple different visa agreements across the 27 member states creates very significant administrative and financial burdens for artists and other professionals from the UK. Whereas currently, some EU member states have no visa or work permit requirements in place for creative professionals from the UK, and many have exemptions, the nature and extent of any exemptions vary significantly from country to country. Furthermore, many EU member states have applied their own visa requirements for UK creative professionals, creating complexity and substantial additional work involved in meeting these conditions, as well as the costs associated with the required fees. This imposes particular burdens for any new entrants and those applicants not familiar with the extensive administration involved, and significantly complicates travel for groups where different individuals will be subject to different requirements. Currently there is no relief offered to these requirements from the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) negotiated at the time of Brexit, as, while there are EU-wide visa exemptions for certain business travellers, creative professionals are not included in this exemption. With the [EU’s Visa Strategy](https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/eu-visa-strategy_en) proposing the creation of new rules for extended short stays for touring artists, a new opportunity to address these areas may now exist. #### Customs Taking equipment abroad can also require an expensive, itemised custom permit (called an ATA carnet), adding to both the costs and administration associated with touring. Furthermore, as the availability in the UK for processing these permits is very limited – for seaports, only those in the south of England, and for airports in Scotland, only those in the central belt – the logistics of those touring from outside these areas is significantly limited. #### Haulage and cabotage Restrictions introduced after Brexit on hauliers’ operations limit specialist road haulage movements (known as cabotage) for UK organisations within an EU Member State to two movements per week. While cabotage arrangements were already in place before Brexit, the post-exit rules are more restrictive for UK operators. Although limited exemptions exist for smaller vehicles carrying both people and equipment together, these restrictions continue to apply to larger vehicles. For cultural groups such as orchestras, music ensembles, or theatrical production teams, this can add complexity and reduce flexibility when specialist road haulage is required. The Scottish Government recognises that increasing costs form one of the main barriers to international touring, particularly in relation to the music sector and we are taking action to provide additional funding to mitigate these this through a pilot International Touring Fund for Music, delivered by Creative Scotland. Nevertheless, the scale of the restrictions created by Brexit represent significant structural barriers to international working for the sector, and should be addressed. ### Impacts on the sector The concerns being raised by the Scottish Government are those of the cultural sector and stakeholders themselves. Representatives within the sector in Scotland – for example members of the Scottish Commercial Music Industry Taskforce – have reported directly that since the UK left the EU, they have experienced reduced income and greater financial insecurity, leading to touring artists and other creative professionals increasingly to consider leaving the sector. Sector representatives have also reported increased difficulty in undertaking cultural diplomacy and showcasing Scottish work internationally, as well as a weakening of the international networks that are critical for supporting cross border collaboration. On 23 March 2026, Arts Infopoint UK, a cultural mobility initiative delivered in partnership by Arts Council of Wales, Creative Scotland, Arts Council England and Arts Council Northern Ireland, published research into the value of, and barriers to, international working and cultural collaboration based on evidence from across the creative sectors. The report can be found at: [UK-EU Arts Survey 2026 \\| Arts Infopoint UK \\| Gwybodfan Celf y DU](https://artsinfopointuk.com/uk-eu-arts-survey-2026) ### Scottish Government priorities The [Common Understanding text](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukeu-summit-key-documentation/uk-eu-summit-common-understanding-html) agreed at the UK-EU Leaders’ Summit on 19 May 2025 included the following (paragraph 15): ‘The European Commission and the United Kingdom recognise the value of travel and cultural and artistic exchanges, including the activities of touring artists. They will continue their efforts to support travel and cultural exchange.’ The Scottish Government considers that further action is now needed to move forward on this commitment. The next Leaders’ Summit – expected to take place in summer 2026 – provides an opportunity to make progress. #### Visa-free arrangements for creative professionals The Scottish Government considers an EU wide visa exemption for creative professionals to be the most practical means of reducing barriers to touring. Such an exemption would allow artists and other cultural workers to undertake short term activities in the UK and EU without the need for a visa, while still meeting standard entry requirements such as the UK ETA or the EU Entry/Exit System. These requirements involve minimal cost and administration compared to full visa or work permit applications. Taking action on an EU wide visa exemption can be done through the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which provides for a review of visa free business activities. The Scottish Government has consistently called for the UK and thr EU to expand the categories of travellers eligible for visa free entry, including creative professionals. It may also be possible to negotiate a separate, reciprocal agreement on visa exemptions for this group, similar to arrangements the EU has with other third countries. New requirements such as the UK ETA and the EU Entry/Exit System mean that short term travel now involves a baseline level of administrative steps for most travellers. In this policy note, "visa free" denotes a visa exemption rather than the removal of border controls altogether. Under such arrangements, creative professionals would continue to meet standard entry requirements, such as the ETA, which costs under £20, or the EU biometric process, which has no associated fee. These systems impose significantly lower financial and administrative burdens than full visa or work permit applications, which can amount to several hundred pounds and require extensive documentation. The approach to delivering such a visa exempt route would be for the UK Government to determine, though this could include enabling creative professionals to undertake short term work on the basis of an ETA alone. Ensuring that remaining requirements are proportionate is therefore critical to supporting short term touring. Any such agreement would require both the UK and the EU to be willing to make concessions. As broader political issues are resolved, renewed engagement will be necessary to ensure that a mutually beneficial agreement can be reached. #### Customs While customs relations are likely to be dictated by the wider relationship between the UK and the EU, as well as other international agreements, the UK and the EU should consider where exemptions can be put in place for creative professionals. In particular, the cost and administrative burden of ATA Carnet requirements should be alleviated wherever possible. Where exemptions cannot be put in place, both the UK and the EU should consider what support can be delivered to mitigate the impacts of customs requirements, including expanding locations where the carnets can be processed. #### Cabotage The UK and the EU should consider what further exemptions could be put in place for hauliers transporting equipment for touring artists. In particular, expanding exemptions to include larger vehicles transporting equipment for bigger production groups, such as orchestral or theatre performances, should be considered. ### Benefits for creative professionals and audiences in Scotland Scotland’s culture and creative sectors also benefit significantly from creative professionals coming to work in Scotland, both on a long and short term basis. Such touring artists and professionals visiting Scotland help to build cross-border networks, facilitate innovation, and provide vital skills to the sector. Scotland’s festivals, for example, benefit hugely from those who come to participate from elsewhere. This international cultural exchange makes Scotland’s creative sectors more vibrant, diverse, and successful, which further helps communities across Scotland to engage with as wide a range of cultures as possible. The Scottish Government has also published further evidence on the [benefits of enhanced cultural cooperation with the EU](https://www.gov.scot/publications/benefits-of-enhancing-cultural-cooperation-with-the-eu-evidence-from-scottish-stakeholders/). As where Scottish Government has published other papers on EU-UK negotiations – for example on [rejoining the Creative Europe programme](https://www.gov.scot/publications/creative-europe-reassociation-position-paper/), or [enabling a youth mobility agreement with the EU](https://www.gov.scot/publications/youth-mobility-agreement-with-the-eu-position-paper/) – the measures outlined in this paper are an opportunity to create shared benefit for Scotland, the rest of the UK, and the EU. ### Next steps The UK Government’s decision to seek a closer relationship with the EU, and the progress already made by both parties on agreeing in different policy areas to achieve this, are welcome developments. Given the increasing willingness among not just the cultural sector but also the general public to recognise the harms that Brexit has created for touring professionals, the Scottish Government calls for further agreement now on the points above, and stands ready to work collaboratively with the UK Government and wider partners to this end.
Shard	165 (laksa)
Root Hash	11389275316184835965
Unparsed URL	scot,gov!www,/publications/touring-artists-and-creative-practitioners-in-the-eu/ s443