Strike deal to secure professional drivers visa-free travel on international work, RHA urges Government
| Road Transport | Strike deal to secure professional drivers visa-free travel on international work, RHA urges Government
13:00 Wed 30th Apr 2025 | Posted By UKHAULIER
20 mins ago
Concerns about the impact of rules restricting the time people can spend in the EU are growing in the transport sector as enforcement nears. The 90/180 rule - where people can spend a maximum 90 out of any 180 days in the Schengen Area - is set to come into play later this year when the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) becomes operational. GB-based hauliers supporting British touring artists performing in the bloc will be affected as will coach operators on international work as the new system digitally tracks entry and exit.
We've been working with and supporting other stakeholders to get it on the Government's agenda ahead of their talks with the EU next month. And we're pleased they've been receptive - making the case for ease of access for touring artists and their equipment amongst a raft of proposals to negotiate with the EU. However, some reports suggest that a number of EU member states have balked at our government's asks with the UK remaining firm footed that it's not seeking to rejoin the single market or a customs union.
British touring artists have much more red tape to cut through than their EU-based counterparts with different immigration requirements across nation states; whereas it's far more straight forward for overseas performers dealing with the one set of rules to come into the UK. The EU will be aware of this during negotiations. However, they are keen to secure a deal that supports European and British 18- to 30-year-olds to travel and work freely between the territories - with key states said to view this as a priority. This gives us and UK businesses concerned about the impact of the Entry/Exit System enforcement hope that a visa / exemption scheme will be a resolution. EES is expected from November - as the heat turns up ahead of reset talks.
We're asking for performing artists and their crews - including hauliers and coach operators - to be able to travel visa-free between the UK and EU. Other measures could include exempting vehicles and merchandise from post-Brexit measures and reducing costs for customs documents. British businesses will take heart that there is willingness between the UK and EU to be collaborative and find ways to improve mutual benefit for their people and economies.
They will hope that the pull of British touring artists which remains ever-strong across the Channel will find favour in negotiations - with the parties striking a deal to ensure that tours can go ahead fully supported.