Are you going to perform in the United Kingdom?
Then consider the following:
Passport
You need an ETA-UK (electronic travel authorization). Download the ETA-UK app with your passport in hand and arrange it in just a few minutes, or apply at: https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply. The ETA is valid for two years. If your passport expires, your ETA will also expire.
Work Permit
If you're playing at one of these festivals, you don't need a work permit.
Otherwise, you'll fall under the Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) scheme. You must be able to present the following documents:
- Valid passport with ETA (see above)
- Invitation lettre
- and/or contract
- Proof that you are an artist (CV/website, etc.)
- Solvency, this means demonstrating that you can afford it (contract)
- Accommodation. The name of a hotel or your contract stating that the client will provide accommodation.
- Return ticket
Equipment and Stuff
Costumes, equipment, props... Everything, down to the last detail, must be accounted for on an ATA carnet, because you are leaving the EU. And you must take it all back with you. You can request the carnet from the Chamber of Commerce in your country. Here you will find all the information about temporary export from the EU:
Belgium
Nederland
Deutschland
France or check your regional CCI
Spain: Check your regional Chamber of Commerce Portugal
Note! Per 1 june 2026 the EU, Norway and Switzerland will launch a central and digital e-ata carnet.
Insurance
Many festivals require artists to have business liability insurance that covers up to 5 or even 10 million GBP per event. In the Netherlands, the standard is 2.5 million euros.
Check with your insurer, if possible it’s usually not that expensive to up the assured amount temporarily. In any case, discuss it with the festival and have any deviations from the amount should be recorded in the contract.
Social Insurance
Prove that you remain insured in your own country during your performances in the UK with an A1 form.
- Nederland – SVB
- BelgieĢ – RSZ of RSVZ
- Deutschland – ABV
- France – URSSAF
Border Letter
Some festivals can sign a letter for you stating that you are an artist and are traveling with equipment to and from their festival. A Laissez-passer.
VAT
Because the UK is outside the EU, you don't charge VAT, or the VAT is reverse-charged to the client. Check which situation applies to you on the Tax and Customs Administration in your country.
Income Tax
If you don't want the festival to deduct income tax from your fee, you need an FEU exemption. You can apply for this if your income from performances in the UK in one year does not exceed GBP 12,570.
Apply in good time, at least 30 days before your first performance.
Copyright
Are copyrights applicable to your work? Indicate this in your contract. The UK is covered by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), and the usual copyright organizations will claim them for you.
Payment
Draw up your contract with a clear clause stating that the contract amount is to be paid in euros to prevent losses due to exchange rate fluctuations.
And don't forget to have the festival reimburse your carnet, ETA costs and other costs.
Health & Safety – Risk Assessment
Regulations are strict in the UK. Clients may ask you for a Risk Assessment and/or a Method Statement about your work.
Local regulators can perform a PAT test on the safety of portable electrical equipment and wiring.
Just to be safe, we'd like to point out that your EU electrical plug won't fit into a UK socket. The Kingdom is United, but residents would like you to know which part of the UK you're in. In Scotland, you're in the UK, but not in England!
And if you don't feel like dealing with all this paperwork, there are agencies that can take a lot of the work off your hands (except for your carnet, by the way).
Thanks to Entr`act for all this info.
