Pearle* Releases Mobility Survey Findings and Urges EU to Cut Red Tape for Cross-Border Touring

Pearle*, the largest European performing arts organisation, releases the results of a mobility survey conducted among its members. The findings shed light on the significant administrative burdens faced by the sector when organising cross-border activities, and calls for urgent simplifications to unlock the full potential of the European live performance sector.

The survey, conducted between September and December 2025, includes testimonies from performing arts organisations, and demonstrates how complex and often opaque rules create significant challenges for organising cultural events across borders. These include cash flow problems, loss of income, and additional costs for expert support in areas such as social security, taxation, visas, transport, customs, and travelling with musical instruments.

To reduce the administrative burden, three key recommendations emerged:

• Consistency of rules and implementation across Member States.
• Abolishment of high compliance costs.
• A one-stop shop for administrative requirements.

These recommendations align with recent initiatives of the European Commission, such as the “Competitiveness Compass’” (January 2025), the “Strategy on a Single Market” (May 2025) and the “Cultural Compass” (November 2025). In line with the Cultural Compass  motto “Europe for Culture, Culture for Europe” and the EU leaders’ commitment to “One Europe, One Market” of last February, this report provides solutions for the EU and Member States to unleash the potential of live performance organisations.

“For twenty years, the live performance sector has strived to promote mobility, support touring and encourage cultural exchange,” said Anita Debaere, Director of Pearle*. “Building on previous initiatives and practical guidance developed over the years, this report offers concrete tools to streamline administrative processes and help realise a truly borderless internal market for the arts.”

Pearle* emphasises that these measures would strengthen the cultural sector’s competitiveness, reinforce its societal role, and increase its contribution to Europe’s prosperity and social model.

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