skip to main content

Positive News for Artists Gigging in Croatia

The Croatian Parliament has passed amendments to the Aliens Act, meaning UK artists and crew performing or touring in Croatia for less than three months no longer need a visa and work authorisation certificates.

Photo ofDave Webster
By Dave Webster Published: 13 March 2025 | 9:53 AM
A DJ performing at an outdoor festival in Croatia.
The new rules cover all creators and performers across music, theatre, and the wider performing arts, as well as their technical staff. Image credit: Shutterstock.

We are pleased to let you know that the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) has informed the MU of a positive development for UK artists and crew performing or touring in Croatia.

On 21 February 2025, the Croatian Parliament passed amendments to the Aliens Act, removing the requirement for visa and work authorisation certificates for nationals of OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)  member countries - including the UK - for stays of less than three months.

The new rules come into force on Saturday 15 March 

We are told that the new rules come into force on Saturday 15 March, and cover all creators and performers across music, theatre, and the wider performing arts, as well as their technical staff.

Dave Webster, MU Head of International says: “This is a welcome development providing easier opportunities for UK artists to work in Croatia.

“Given the vibrant festival scene in that country, we hope more UK artists will be booked to perform there. Thanks to Minister Doughty and the DCMS team for this.”

Get involved with live performance issues across the UK

The MU is a democratic organisation and we are always looking for new voices within our member community.

Be a changemaker

Have your say on live performance issues across the UK, such as international touring issues, festivals, street busking, parking in city centres, and sexual harassment.  

If you are a live performer, gigging musician in a band or a busker, join our Live Performance Sector or an Advisory Board.

Learn more

Get involved with live performance issues across the UK

Continue reading

Three wooden blocks with red icons painted on them.

MU Concerned by New EU Customs Fees for Artists Selling Merchandise

A new EU customs charge on low-value parcels is creating additional costs and administrative challenges for musicians selling merchandise directly to fans in Europe. The MU will work to ensure musicians affected by the new legislation are represented at a stakeholder consultation later this year.

Published: 31 July 2026

Read more about MU Concerned by New EU Customs Fees for Artists Selling Merchandise
A brick wall with the flags of Spain and Gibraltar painted on it, overlapping each other.

Spain-Gibraltar Border Changes: What the New Agreement Means for Musicians

New arrangements between Gibraltar and Spain will remove routine border checks for people crossing by land. While the agreement does not change existing rights to work in Spain or the EU, any time spent in Gibraltar will count towards musicians’ 90-day allowance for the Schengen area.

Published: 30 July 2026

Read more about Spain-Gibraltar Border Changes: What the New Agreement Means for Musicians