The European social partners of the live performance sector, represented by EAEA and Pearle* Live Performance Europe welcome yesterday’s vote on the European Commission proposal for a revision of the Visa Code in the European Parliament, in the Committees Transport & Tourism (opinion – I. Ujhelyi) and Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (report – J. López Aguilar).

In particular, Pearle* and EAEA welcome the attention and recognition of the specific issues and needs of artists and cultural professionals. Indeed, making it possible for this group of travellers to be able to travel within the Schengen area for up to one year as long as they do not stay more than 90 days in a 180-day period in one single Member State would facilitate the touring needs, increase opportunities for extended tours and thus bring more income to the local and regional economies. It will also reduce the time wasted to leave the Schengen, related costs and loss of income.

Furthermore, European social partners of the live performance are pleased with the following outcomes:

• possibility to lodge an application already nine months in advance
• clear definition of the costs included in the visa fees requested by service providers and possibility for applicants to be further allowed to lodge applications directly at consulate
• possibility to submit visa application in the consulate of the destination country where the employer or host organisation is based
• a visa fee of 60 EUR for applicants whose data are already entered in the Visa Information System and a reduction of the visa fee to 60 EUR for cultural touring groups

However, Pearle* and EAEA regret that the complicated and strict system to obtain a Multiple Entry Visa, has not been made easier and clearer for visa applicants.

Following the mandate to enter into negotiations with the Commission and Council, the European social partners of the live performance sector call upon the EU institutions to take into consideration the particularities of the cultural sectors and to find agreement on that basis.

Contacts:

The European sectoral social dialogue ‘live performance’

The European social partners are represented by PEARLE* Live performance Europe, the Performing Arts Employers Associations League Europe, and the workers in the sector represented by the EAEA, the European Arts & Entertainment Alliance, composed of composed of FIM (International Federation of Musicians), FIA (International Federation of Actors) and UNI-MEI (European Federation of creative, technical and administrative workers in the entertainment sector).