Ref: Work permit in Armenia (counsel.am)

Austria  #

British passport holders can work in Austria for up to 4 weeks without a work permit.

“According to sec. 3(4) of the Act on the Employment of Foreign Nationals, foreign nationals who are concert or stage performers, acrobatic artists, film, radio, and TV artists or musicians may be employed 1 day or (up to) 4 weeks without an employment permit in the context of an overall artistic production to ensure a concert, an event, a performance, an ongoing film production, a live radio or TV broadcast. However, the organiser and/or producer must notify the competent local Public Employment Service (PES) of such activity on the day it is started. In such a case, foreign nationals who require a visa will need a visa C. Persons who are generally visa-exempted may enter without a visa.”

Belarus #

British and EU passport holders can stay up to 30 days without a visa. A work permit is required.

Belgium #

British passport holders who are “internationally famous” can work permit-free for up to 21 days in Belgium. Whether an actor is "internationally famous" or not is debatable.

Bulgaria #

British passport holders need a freelance permit (valid for 12 months) before their arrival.

If the actor performs only temporarily and does not conclude a contract of employment in Bulgaria, a simple residence permit (Schengen short-term or long-term visa) is sufficient.

Croatia #

British Passport holders require a work registration certificate (about €35 from police station or local government office) to work for up to 30 or 90 days per year, but no work permit required.

Cyprus #

British Passport holders require a work permit, which must be submitted by the agency before work commences (can take several weeks).

Czechia #

As of July 1st, 2024, British Passport holders do not require a work permit.

Denmark #

British Passport holders do not require a work permit for up to 14 days.

Estonia #

British passport holders must register for a long-term visa for short-term employment is required before arrival and once registered, no permit is needed for up to 90 days.

Finland #

British passport holders do not need a work visa for up to 90 days if you have been invited to work in Finland or you have signed a contract to work in Finland.

France #

British passport holders do not need a permit for up to 90 days in any 12-month period.

Germany #

British passport holders do not need a work permit because this is a short-stay. This UK government website indicates that British actors performing in Germany might not need a visa if they are involved in “…performing in science, the arts, entertainment, or sports of special interest (performers and their assistants)…” and they keep their regular place of residence in the UK.

This means that for short-term projects, such as acting in indie films, British actors may be exempt from requiring a work visa, provided they maintain their main residence in the UK. This exemption typically applies for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

However, other sources say British passport holders will require a work permit, regardless.

For details and to ensure compliance, it's important for British actors to verify the latest requirements with the German embassy or consulate.

Georgia #

EU & British citizens do not need a visa to travel to Georgia for up to 12 months. Actors do not require a work permits for short-term activities.

Greece #

British & non-EU/EEA passport holders, who are NOT paid by a Greek company, do not need a visa. They must register for a work permit after their arrival.

Hungary #

British passport holders must apply for a residence permits which can sometimes be difficult.

Iceland #

From the Foreign Nationals‘ Right to Work Act, No. 97/2002, article 23:

“The following foreign nationals shall be exempt from the requirements regarding work permits for periods of up to four weeks each year in Iceland: […]  (b) Artists […]”

Thus, British passport holders do not need a work permit.

Ireland #

You do not need a work permit or visa to live and work in Ireland.

Italy #

British Passport holders do not need a visa or work permit for short-term paid acting work in Italy. In theory, they must apply for a residence permit within 8 days or arriving, but this is designed for long-term residency and is unworkable and impractical in many cases.

Latvia #

British Passport holders do not need a permit if your performance does not exceed 14 days in a 12-month period.

Liechtenstein #

British Passport holders require a short-term work permit for up to 12 months.

Lithuania #

British Passport holders require a work permit and temporary residence permit before entry.

Ref: Lithuania KPMG

Luxembourg #

British passport holders require a visa for a short-term work.

Malta #

British Passport holders require an employment licence before they can work here. This costs €300 for the first person and €15 for each subsequent person up to a maximum of €500. 

Netherlands #

British actors do not require a visa for stays of less than 90 days if they work a maximum of 6 weeks over a 13 week period.

North Macedonia #

Actors from anywhere in Europe can stay in North Macedonia for up to 90 days in every 180 days without a visa.

However, for paid work, the actor requires prior consent and a work permit.

Before the actors start their work in North Macedonia, the host company or organization or any other host person should acquire prior consent from the Ministry of Culture for the actor/s to be allowed to work.

Once the permission is acquired from the Ministry of Culture, if the actors need to stay longer than 7 days, then an additional work permit is needed to be acquired from the Agency of Employment.

This is all stipulated in Article 11 of the Law for Employment of Foreigner.

Norway #

British passport holders do not need a permit if you are working less than 14 days in a 12-month period. You must, however, notify Norway police before entering.

Poland #

British passport holders do not need a permit if you work less than 30 days in a 12-month period.

Portugal #

British passport holders require a temporary stay visa valid for 90 days to work in Portugal.

Romania #

For short-term “cultural…activities” no work permit is needed.

Serbia #

Actors do not need a work permit to film in Serbia; however if the shoot goes over 90 days, a residence permit must be obtained.

Slovakia #

British Passport holders do not need a work permit if the work does not exceed 30 days over a 12-month period. The employer or contract holder must inform the authorities of the visit.

Slovenia #

British Passport holders do not need a work permit for any period under 90 days in 180 days.

Spain #

Actors with a British passport can work in Spain's audiovisual sector for up to 90 days without a visa or work permit.

Ref: Order PCM/1238/2021 (Orden PCM/1238/2021, de 12 de noviembre), published in Spain's Official State Gazette (Boletín Oficial del Estado), BOE-A-2021-18582, 13 November 2021.

Sweden  #

British passport holders do not need a permit if the work is less than 14 days over and the employer is an “established organiser”.

Note that if you have a long-term residence of the EU, then you do not need a work permit to work in Sweden.

Switzerland #

British passport holders do not need a permit if the work is less than 90 days duration. You may have to notify your stay to the authorities, however.

Ukraine #

There is no visa-free agreement between the UK and Ukraine.

United Kingdom #

Yes, as a UK Passport holder you can live and work here freely and without restriction.

The information here is for general use only. Information about visas and work permits changes without notice and so whilst this information is true to the best of our knowledge, we can make no guarantee whatsoever as to its validity.

If you intend to work in Europe, then you MUST contact the relevant consulate or authority and following their advice only apply for the relevant visas and/or work permits you might need depending on your personal circumstances.

And we urge anyone or any authority with updated information to contact us if they have edits or updates to add to this page so we can keep it up-to-date and helpful for actors.