Quarter of UK musicians have lost all EU work since 2021, report finds
A report says more than a quarter of UK musicians have lost all EU work since 2021, while average tour earnings are down 45%.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
New research says Brexit-era barriers are still cutting British musicians off from European work. The report ties the damage to visas, customs paperwork, haulage limits and lost funding, with many artists saying EU touring is no longer viable.
UK musicians are finding it much harder and more expensive to play shows in Europe, like trying to travel with a band through a maze of locks and fees. The result is fewer gigs, less money, and fewer chances to share music across the Channel.
Analysis
What the report says
European Movement UK says more than a quarter of British musicians have lost all their EU work since 2021, and nearly half have seen their work in Europe reduced. It also says average tour earnings are down 45%, while 59% of musicians now say touring in Europe is no longer viable.
Why the costs add up
The article says UK creatives now face different visa systems across EU member states, new work-permit requirements and the Schengen 90-days-in-180 rule. For smaller acts and emerging artists, those rules can make touring hard to plan and even harder to afford.
The report also points to direct costs. ATA carnets, which allow instruments and equipment to cross borders, can cost more than £400, and security deposits can reach 40% of equipment value. For orchestras, the report says the total can run to between £2,000 and £5,000 per EU tour.
Wider sector impact
Tom Kiehl of UK Music says the issue goes beyond musicians and affects the wider creative economy, including film, TV and video. Mig Schallache, who owns The Louisiana in Bristol, says fewer European artists are coming to the UK, while there are not enough UK artists to fill the gap.
The report also says the loss of Creative Europe funding has hurt independent producers and SMEs. It notes that the programme invested €111m in 376 UK organisations between 2014 and 2020.
Bottom line
The article argues that unless mobility barriers are eased, the UK risks weakening a sector that supports employment, exports and cultural influence abroad.
Key points
- More than a quarter of UK musicians have lost all EU work since 2021, the report says.
- Average tour earnings are down 45%, and 59% of musicians say Europe touring is no longer viable.
- Visa systems, work permits, Schengen limits and customs paperwork are adding costs and complexity.
- The report says orchestras can face £2,000 to £5,000 in customs-related costs per EU tour.
- The loss of Creative Europe funding is described as another blow to independent producers and SMEs.
The article says the UK and EU made a 2025 common understanding that included support for travel and cultural exchange. If that leads to simpler rules, more musicians could return to touring in Europe and regain lost work.
If the current barriers stay in place, more artists may stop touring Europe because it is not financially viable. That could further reduce exports, collaboration and audience reach for the UK music sector.
