economy
'Catastrophic for creative industries': Brexit barriers shut UK actors out of EU jobs
Casting shifts to EU talent as paperwork delays and visa limits make hiring British crews less viable
TL;DR
- Brexit has introduced numerous costs and bureaucratic hurdles, restricting opportunities for British actors in the EU.
- Performing arts exports to the EU fell from £1.15bn to £929m between 2016 and 2023.
- New barriers include visa rules allowing only 90 days of work (including holidays) and complex customs and tax documents.
- UK performers are facing issues with social security deductions and are sometimes asked to work illegally by claiming to be on holiday.
- Jobs in TV commercials are now almost completely unavailable to UK performers, and some holiday companies no longer audition UK-only passport holders.
- Young, working-class UK performers are particularly affected, as they lack the financial means to navigate visa costs and payment delays.
- Some agents are encouraging actors to seek dual citizenship, and some EU businesses are blacklisting UK-only passport holders.