Brexit Details for Touring Musicians Unlikely Before End of Transition Period

Even if a Brexit deal is agreed before the transition period ends on Thursday 31 December, it is likely to only give basic essentials, with the potential for further detail.

By Isabelle Gutierrez Published: 21 December 2020 | 5:06 PM

Photograph of a violin in a travel case. — It is very unlikely that there will be any detail on the effects of leaving the Single Market and Customs Union for touring musicians. Photo credit: Shutterstock

A Brexit deal between the United Kingdom and the European Union is still being discussed.

With the transition period coming to an end on 31 December 2020, even if a last-minute deal is agreed, it is likely to be only a “basic essentials” deal to avoid the application of WTO rules and tariffs, with the potential for further detail.

It is very unlikely that there will be any detail on the effects of leaving the Single Market and Customs Union for touring musicians – especially since immigration laws are generally a national competency and require approval by individual member states. This is impossible within the available timeframe.

We will continue to press for a Musicians’ Passport next year regardless of whether or not a deal is reached, as none of the important detail for our members will yet have been agreed.

Sources of further advice

In the meantime, we have attempted to simplify the incredibly lengthy and complex Government advice pages into a flowchart.

Members can also view government advice here on the UK Government’s transition checker, and their guidance page for working in the Creative Industries after 1 January 2021.

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