Spanish government to waive visas for UK touring musicians

The Spanish government has this week made the decision to waive visas for UK touring musicians and crew, who will no longer need visas for engagements of less than 90 days.

In a tweet on Wednesday Nadine Dorries, secretary of state for Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said: ‘Really great news. We've been working closely with the Spanish government to make touring easier - and they've just confirmed that musicians no longer need visas to go on short-term tours. 21 Member States now offer visa & permit-free routes for touring performers. 6 more to go.’

Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, chief executive of UK Music, an industry-funded body representing the collective interests of the British music industry, explained the reasoning behind this urgent demand for change earlier this month: ‘The extra costs and red tape mean some artists are losing work and some tours, particularly those by emerging musicians, are not viable at the moment.’

The Spanish government’s decision follows campaigning by the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) and LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment), who worked with Spanish organisations including Asociación Promotores Musicales to lobby the UK and Spanish governments for change.

Mark Pemberton, director of the ABO said: ‘We have already heard from member orchestras that had had to go through the painful and expensive process of securing visas for their musicians these past months, and this will be welcome news for those orchestras with impending tours.’

Although this change will make a huge difference, musicians from the UK will still experience significant barriers when touring in the EU including cabotage restrictions, which affect the movement of trucks, tour buses, and equipment.