For centuries, artistic touring has built ties between countries and their citizens, fostering a diversity of cultural expressions. It remains a powerful testament to Europe’s unity in diversity and its connection with cultural communities. As such, the ratification by the EU and its member states of the UNESCO Convention on the diversity of cultural expressions of 2004 has led the EU to develop dedicated actions on culture.

Pearle* supports the creation of a real, integrated single market which includes culture. That means reducing administrative burdens related to social security, worker postings, artist taxation, labour permits, or visas for third-country nationals.

For over 20 years, Pearle* has been advocating for a review of the practical implementation of the social security coordination regulation to improve cross-border touring by simplifying rules and by developing smart digital solutions. Find out more on posting and social security.

To allow the performing arts sector to reach its full potential and for the sector to truly benefit from the single market, other topics need to be addressed as well, such as travelling with musical instruments, artist taxation, VAT, and copyright clearance, which vary from country to country or are inadequately adapted. For issues related to touring to the EU or outside the EU, Pearle* continuously advocates for attention to the specific challenges for third-country national artists touring to the Schengen area and related to this the patchwork of different rules on work permits, and further for easing customs for temporary import and export of touring materials. Find out more on this topic.

Pearle* is a partner for the Mobility Infopoints (MIPs), under the leadership of On the Move