# Can a UK film crew work in Europe without permits?

Source: https://www.roamlytravel.com/guides/film-crew-working-in-europe-permits  
Publisher: Roamly Travel  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-30  
Audience: Production crews

## Short answer

Sometimes, but there is no single EU rule. UK nationals can enter the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa, yet whether a crew may work on a shoot is decided country by country. GOV.UK lists film and audiovisual crew as exempt from a permit for up to 90 days in France, Germany and Spain, with conditions, while its Italy page lists no such exemption. Check the destination's rules for every crew member before you book.

## Key takeaways

- Visa-free entry and permission to work are separate questions. A UK passport covers entry for short stays, not paid work.
- GOV.UK lists film or audiovisual crew as exempt from a visa or permit for up to 90 days in France, Germany and Spain, but with conditions and different counting rules.
- GOV.UK's Italy page does not list a film or TV exemption, so assume nothing and ask the Italian authorities.
- Carry proof of the assignment, such as a letter from the production company, a contract or a crew CV, because officers can ask for it.
- Rules follow each person's passport, so non-British crew need their own checks.

## Do UK film crews need a work permit to shoot in the EU?

Entering a country and being allowed to work there are two different questions. GOV.UK says UK nationals can usually visit the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, but only for listed purposes such as meetings and conferences. For work, it tells travellers to check the rules of the specific country. Each EU country decides what a visiting UK crew may do, and there is no EU-wide permit for film crews.

Shooting on location is normally paid work, so it cannot simply be treated as a business meeting. Many countries have exemptions for film professionals on short stays, but they are worded and counted differently.

Ireland is a different case. GOV.UK's travel advice says British nationals do not need a visa or residency permit to live, work or study in Ireland, because of the Common Travel Area.

## What do France, Germany, Spain and Italy say?

The table summarises what GOV.UK's "Travel to [country] for work" pages said when we checked them on 30 October 2026. These pages are summaries of national rules, and the destination's own authorities have the final say.

*Film and audiovisual crew on short stays, according to GOV.UK*

| Country | What GOV.UK says | Conditions to note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| France | Lists artists and their technical production team for film, audiovisual content and shows as exempt from a visa or permit for up to 90 days | The employer submits a secondment declaration through the SIPSI online service at least 1 day before work starts. Carry proof such as an assignment letter, contract or CV |
| Germany | Lists people working in the film and television industry as exempt for up to 90 days in a 12-month period | The counting period differs from the Schengen 90 in 180 rule. Performers must keep their regular residence in the UK |
| Spain | No visa or permit for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for an artist, technician or professional in the audiovisual sector | Proof such as an assignment letter is expected. The page warns that guidance may change, and extra labour-law rules apply if a minor takes part |
| Italy | No film or TV exemption is listed on the page | The page mentions long-lead visas for artists employed by television companies and a declaration of presence. Ask the Italian authorities before planning |

A crew moving from a French shoot to an Italian one cannot assume the same paperwork works in both.

## What proof should the crew carry?

GOV.UK's pages for France and Spain both say you may be asked to show proof that you fall within an exemption. Border checks for any short Schengen visit can also include proof of return travel, accommodation, funds, health insurance and an invitation letter. Pack these for each person:

- A letter from the production company naming the person, role, shoot dates, locations and who is paying them
- A copy of the contract or deal memo, and a short crew CV
- The call sheet or a schedule summary
- Return tickets, accommodation details and travel insurance
- For France, the employer's SIPSI declaration reference, and for other countries any declaration the local rules require
- A kit list or carnet details for the equipment

## What if crew members are not British citizens?

Entry and work rules follow the passport each person holds. The GOV.UK pages above are written for UK nationals, and a UK-based crew often includes other nationalities. A crew member on another passport may need a Schengen visa, may fall under different exemptions, and needs the right to return to the UK. Check each person separately. Our [passport and visa checklist](https://www.roamlytravel.com/guides/passport-visa-checklist-group-travel) explains the passport tests and a document register for large groups.

## How early should you check, and who can confirm the rules?

Start as soon as locations are fixed. For work that falls outside the exemptions, GOV.UK's France page gives lead times of 6 to 8 weeks for short-term services for a French client and 8 to 16 weeks for a short fixed-term French contract.

To confirm the rules for a specific shoot, ask the destination's embassy or consulate, and consider a specialist immigration adviser for complex cases. National film commissions can also help with the process. Film France, for example, says its services for foreign productions are free and include support with permits, production regulations and visas. Film commissions mainly advise and point you to the right agencies, so get the answer in writing from the authority that applies the rule.

> **Exemptions are narrow**
> Border and labour officers apply these exemptions on the day. If one crew member is refused entry or stopped on set, the shoot can lose a day. Get written confirmation where you can and carry it.

Equipment is a separate customs question, covered in our guide to [production crew travel and equipment](https://www.roamlytravel.com/guides/production-crew-travel-equipment). From 12 October 2025 the EU Entry/Exit System has recorded UK passport holders at Schengen borders, and ETIAS, which is not yet required, has no announced start date as of 30 October 2026. See [EES and ETIAS for UK groups](https://www.roamlytravel.com/guides/ees-etias-uk-groups).

## How Roamly can help

Roamly Travel builds crew travel plans around the shooting schedule, including flights, accommodation, ground transport and a document register that tracks each person's passport and entry requirements. See our [logistics service](https://www.roamlytravel.com/services/logistics), use the free [travel document checklist](https://www.roamlytravel.com/travel-document-checklist), or [contact us](https://www.roamlytravel.com/contact) with your locations and dates. We do not give legal or immigration advice, so confirm work rules with the destination authorities.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can a UK film crew work in the EU without a visa after Brexit?

For short stays, often yes, but it depends on the country. GOV.UK lists film or audiovisual crew as exempt from a visa or permit for up to 90 days in France, Germany and Spain, with conditions. Other countries may have no exemption, so check each one.

### Does the 90/180-day rule apply to film crews?

Yes for Schengen entry, where days in any Schengen country add up across a rolling 180 days. Some national exemptions use their own counting, such as Germany's 90 days in a 12-month period, so check both.

### Do we need a carnet as well as a permit?

They solve different problems. A carnet is a customs document for temporarily exporting equipment, while a permit or exemption covers people working. A crew may need one, both or neither depending on the route.

### Does a location recce count as work?

It depends on the country and what the recce team does. A short scouting trip is lower risk than a shoot, but rules vary, so ask the authorities. See our guide to planning a location recce.

### Is ETIAS needed to film in Europe?

Not yet. ETIAS is scheduled for the last quarter of 2026, but no start date had been announced as of 30 October 2026. It would be a travel authorisation, not a work permit.

## Sources

- [GOV.UK: Travel to France for work](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-france-for-work)
- [GOV.UK: Travel to Germany for work](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-germany-for-work)
- [GOV.UK: Travel to Spain for work](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-spain-for-work)
- [GOV.UK: Travel to Italy for work](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-italy-for-work)
- [GOV.UK: Ireland entry requirements](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ireland/entry-requirements)
- [GOV.UK: Travelling to the EU and Schengen area](https://www.gov.uk/travel-to-eu-schengen-area)
- [CNC: Filming in France (Film France)](https://www.cnc.fr/web/en/filming-in-france_1638230)