The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has issued a report compelling the United Kingdom government to negotiate new arrangements with the European Union to support British touring artists. The report, titled “Cultural Touring in the EU” and published on June 15, 2026, outlines the severe administrative and financial barriers performers face following the Brexit transition.
The committee identified critical obstacles across three categories: cross-border travel and work, the movement of goods, and transport logistics. Performers are required to navigate the varying immigration laws of individual EU member states, adhere to the 90-day Schengen limit, and manage complex customs procedures for instruments and merchandise. Furthermore, cabotage rules restrict UK-based transport operators to three stops within the EU, escalating logistical costs for orchestras and large theatrical productions.
Dame Caroline Dinenage, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, stated that these barriers impose severe financial strains on the creative sector. She noted that the current regulatory environment forces British performers to decline employment opportunities and limits their capacity to execute multi-country European tours. The committee emphasized that these restrictions disproportionately impact early-career performers and working-class artists who lack the financial reserves to absorb administrative costs and potential income losses.
During the evidentiary hearings, musician and actress Kate Nash testified that the accumulation of post-Brexit administrative costs resulted in a financial loss of approximately £26,000 during her most recent European tour. Representatives from Equity and the Musicians’ Union corroborated these findings, indicating that commercial producers are consolidating tours to single European countries to mitigate financial risks and operational complexities.
To address these systemic issues, the committee recommends that the UK government prioritize securing reciprocal, practical solutions during the next UK-EU summit. Specific directives include negotiating exemptions for short-term touring, resolving cabotage limitations, and minimizing the upfront costs of ATA carnets.
Domestically, the report advises the government to establish a cultural touring advice hub to provide standardized guidance for performers navigating international regulations. Additionally, the committee strongly recommends that the UK signal its intention to rejoin the EU’s cultural cooperation program, Creative Europe, and its proposed successor, AgoraEU, before the next funding cycle begins in 2028. This integration aims to restore access to vital international funding and facilitate collaborative partnerships across the continent.
Industry leaders, including UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl, endorsed the report’s findings. They urged the administration to fulfill manifesto commitments regarding the removal of structural barriers to cultural exchange. The government is required to issue a formal response to the committee’s recommendations within two months.
