‘Catastrophic for creative industries’: Brexit barriers shut UK actors out of EU jobs
Brexit has significantly impacted UK actors' ability to work in the EU, leading to a decline in opportunities. New visa rules and increased paperwork have made it more challenging for British performers to secure jobs across Europe. As a result, many are facing financial difficulties and a shift towards hiring EU talent instead.
- ▪Performing arts exports from the UK to the EU fell from £1.15 billion to £929 million between 2016 and 2023.
- ▪New visa regulations limit UK performers to working only 90 out of 180 days in the EU, including holiday time.
- ▪The National Theatre stopped tours to mainland Europe in 2021 due to the complications arising from Brexit.
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Much Ado About Nothing at the National Theatre. The NT halted tours to mainland Europe in 2021. Photograph: Tristram Kenton/The GuardianView image in fullscreenMuch Ado About Nothing at the National Theatre. The NT halted tours to mainland Europe in 2021. Photograph: Tristram Kenton/The GuardianBrexit‘Catastrophic for creative industries’: Brexit barriers shut UK actors out of EU jobsCasting shifts to EU talent as paperwork delays and visa limits make hiring British crews less viableMark SweneyMon 1 Jun 2026 09.00 EDTLast modified on Mon 1 Jun 2026 15.46 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleFrom blacklists for UK passport holders to being asked to work illegally while on holiday, the plethora of extra costs and red tape thrown up post-Brexit are restricting opportunities for British…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at the Guardian.
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