Working in Europe – Visas & Work Permits

This article is for actors who need to spend short periods of times in other countries for work – shooting film, etc.

The situation on work permits and visas for the EU/EEA & Britain changes often and is very fluid right now. We are updating this page as new information comes in, so please make sure you read the disclaimer below before using this information in real-life situations. If you do spot any errors or omissions, please contact us so all actors benefit from this page.

* Updated March 2023.

In general

  1. EU/EEA/Schengen Passport holders can visit and work in all other EU/EEA/Schengen countries freely with no time limits. Restrictions apply to working in the UK (see below).
  2. British Passport holders can remain in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in every 180 days; this means 90 in total throughout the Schengen area regardless of how many countries are visited or why (including holidays, day-trips, and working trips). Different rules apply for work permits depending on which EU/Schengen country you are working in (see below). 
  3. EU Residence Card holders who do not have an EU/Schengen Passport can stay in the Schengen area indefinitely; however some countries have a time limit of 90 days and others may ask you to register with the local authorities for a permit if you want to stay longer than 90 days. The rules for work permits vary according to the country (see below).
  4. In most cases it is the responsibility of the employer to apply for a work permit, if one is needed.

Note, in 2024 British passport holders – even if they have an EU Residence Card – will require an ETIAS visa.

Exceptions and additional information for each country are listed below.

For reference:

  1. EU Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
  2. Schengen Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Armenia

British passport holders can visit Armenia for up to 180 days per 12 months without a visa. During this time “culture professionals” can work without a visa.

Ref: Work permit in Armenia (counsel.am)

Austria

British passport holders can work in Austria for up to 4 weeks without a work permit.

“According to sec. 3(4) of the Act on the Employment of Foreign Nationals, foreign nationals who are concert or stage performers, acrobatic artists, film, radio and TV artists or musicians may be employed 1 day or (up to) 4 weeks without an employment permit in the context of an overall artistic production to ensure a concert, an event, a performance, an on-going film production, a live radio or TV broadcast. However, the organiser and/or producer must notify the competent local Public Employment Service (PES) of such activity on the day it is started. In such a case, foreign nationals who require a visa will need a visa C. Persons who are generally visa-exempted may enter without a visa.”

Belarus

British and EU passport holders can stay up to 30 days without a visa. A work permit is required.

Belgium

British passport holders who are “internationally famous” can work permit-free for up to 90 days in Belgium.

Bulgaria

British passport holders need a freelance permit (valid for 12 months) before their arrival.

If the actor performs only temporarily and does not conclude a contract of employment in Bulgaria, a simple residence permit (Schengen short-term or long-term visa) is sufficient.

Croatia

British Passport holders require a work registration certificate (about €35 from police station or local government office) to work for up to 30 or 90 days per year but no work permit required.

Cyprus

British Passport holders require a work permit which must be submitted by the agency.

Czechia

British Passport holders do not require a work permit unless they work for 7 consecutive days or 30 days per 12 month period.

Denmark

British & non-EU/EEA passport holders do not require a work permit if the event is “highly significant” culturally or a “noteworthy artistic event”. However, a visa may be required so check this before going.

Estonia

EU Residence Card holders who do not have an EU/Schengen Passport can stay for up to 90 days maximum in Estonia.

British passport holders must register for a long-term visa for short-term employment is required prior to arrival and once registered, no permit is needed for up to 90 days.

Finland

British passport holders do not need a work visa for up to 90 days if you have been invited to work in Finland or you have signed a contract to work in Finland.

France

British passport holders do not need a permit for up to 90 days in any 12 month period.

Germany

British passport holders do not need a work permit due to the fact that this is a short-stay. 

Georgia

EU & British citizens do not need a visa to travel to Georgia for up to 12 months. Actors do not require a work permits for short-term activities.

Greece

British & non-EU/EEA passport holders who are NOT paid by a Greek company, do not need a visa. They must register for a work permit after their arrival.

Hungary

British passport holders must apply for a residence permit.

Iceland

From the Foreign Nationals‘ Right to Work Act, No. 97/2002, article 23:

“The following foreign nationals shall be exempt from the requirements regarding work permits for periods of up to four weeks each year in Iceland: […]  (b) Artists […]”

Thus British passport holders do not need a work permit.

Ireland

British passport holders, and EU/EEA citizens do not need a visa to visit or work in Ireland.

Italy

British Passport holders do not need a visa for short-term paid work subject to reciprocal arrangements for Italian citizens in the U.K. In the case of British citizens entering Italy to undertake paid work, there is a separate requirement to apply for a residence permit within eight working days of entering Italy.

Latvia

British Passport holders do not need a permit if your performance does not exceed 14 days in a 12 month period.

Liechtenstein

British Passport holders need a short-term work permit for up to 12 months.

Lithuania

British Passport holders require a work permit before entry.

Luxembourg

British passport holders do not need a visa for a short-term visit and can perform in Luxembourg without the need for a work permit or authorisation to stay, in application of article 35 of the immigration law, as long as the stay doesn’t exceed three months in a year.

Malta

British & non-EU/EEA passport holders require an employment license before they can work here. This costs €150 for the first person and €15 for each subsequent person up to a maximum of €500. 

Netherlands

British actors do not require a visa for stays of less than 90 days.

North Macedonia

Actors from anywhere in Europe can stay in North Macedonia for up to 90 days in every 180 days without a visa.

However, for paid work the actor needs prior consent and a work permit.

Before the actors start their work in North Macedonia, the host company or organization or any other host person should acquire prior consent  from the Ministry of Culture for the actor/s to be allowed to work.

Once the permission is acquired from the Ministry of Culture, if the actors need to stay longer than 7 days, then additional work permit is needed to be acquired from the Agency of Employment.

This is all stipulated in Article 11 of the Law for Employment of Foreigner.

Norway

British passport holders do not need a permit if you are working less than 14 days in a 12 month period. You must, however, notify Norway police before entering.

Poland

British passport holders do not need a permit if you work less than 30 days in a 12 month period.

Portugal

British passport holders and non-EU/EEA citizens require a temporary stay visa valid for 90 days.

Romania

British passport holders do not need a visa to travel to Romania and for short-term stay (90 days within 180 days).

For short-term “cultural…activities” no work permit is needed.

Serbia

EU passport holders can stay up to 90 days (within 180 days) without a visa. From Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, & Ukraine actors can stay up to 30 days without a visa.

Actors do not need a work permit to film in Serbia; however if the shoot goes over 90 days a residence permit must be obtained.

Slovakia

British & non-EU/EEA passport holders do not need a work permit if the work does not exceed 30 days over a 12 month period. The employer or contract holder must inform the authorities of the visit.

Slovenia

British & non-EU/EEA passport holders do not need a work permit for any period under 90 days in 180 days.

Spain

British passport holders need a work permit.

Sweden

British passport holders do not need a permit if the work is less than 14 days over.

Note that if you have a long-term residence of the EU then you do not need a work permit to work in Sweden.

Switzerland

British passport holders do not need a permit if the work is less than 90 days duration. You may have to notify your stay to the authorities, however.

Ukraine

EU passport holders can stay up to 90 days (out of 180 days) without a visa.

British passport holders can stay up to 90 days (out of 180 days) without a visa until the end of January 2021. This may or may not be extended after this time.

United Kingdom

EU Passport holders can travel to the UK for short trips without a visa. Until October 2021 you can travel on your national ID card but after this date you will need a passport.

If you are going to film in the UK then you can stay for up to 1 month if you are invited for a “permitted paid engagement” which allows you to take part in “arts, entertainment or sporting activities including broadcasting” or “take part in fashion modelling assignments”.

You may be asked to prove that you are eligible for the work you intend to do, have accommodation arranged, and are able to support yourself during your time in the UK.

The information here is for general use only. Information about visas and work permits changes without notice and so whilst this information is true to the best of our knowledge, we can make no guarantee whatsoever as to its validity.

If you intend to work in Europe then you MUST contact the relevant consulate or authority and following their advice only apply for the relevant visas and/or work permits you might need depending on your personal circumstances.

And we urge anyone or authority with updated information to contact us (or leave a comment below) if they have edits or updates to add to this page.

 

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