Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy current EU visa arrangement for professional haulage drivers and those in the creative sector.

UK haulage drivers are able to operate in the EU without the need for a visa, providing they do not spend more than 90 days in the EU within any 180-day period.

The Department for Transport is undertaking research to improve understanding of the effects of the 90 in 180-day Schengen immigration limit (‘90/180’) on the international operations of GB-based HGV and coach businesses (including those working in the creative sector) that hold standard international operator licences. The data is currently being processed, and the findings will be published in due course.

Members of the creative sector are bound by the 90/180 limit for short stays but must apply for a work-permit or performance visa or other national visa to work. The Government recognises that this can create real challenges for them as their work often involves moving between multiple countries over short periods.

In the UK-EU Summit of 19 May 2025, the European Commission and the United Kingdom recognised the value of travel and cultural and artistic exchanges, including the activities of touring artists. They committed to continuing their efforts to support travel and cultural exchange. Building on the Summit, the Government is exploring with the EU Commission and EU Member States how best to improve arrangements for touring across the European continent.

The Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the adequacy of visa arrangements for the creative sector.