British musicians say they are losing out on gigs and jobs in Europe since Brexit

They say increased bureaucracy and costs leave them out of pocket.

Transcript

00:00 At home in Berlin, Simon Valfisch is a professional British opera singer.

00:10 He took the decision to relocate to Germany with his family to overcome what he sees as

00:17 the barriers to musicians brought about by Brexit.

00:21 What used to be possible, get the call on the Friday, turn up on the Monday, start working

00:25 in another EU country is now simply not possible and that is infuriating and totally pointless.

00:35 For British musicians, the cost of arranging visas, work permits and additional travel

00:39 expenses has surged.

00:41 Schengen visa limitations also restrict professionals to just 90 days in a 180-day period within

00:48 the EU.

00:49 The UK-EU trade agreement also lacks provisions for short-term travel for freelance creative

00:55 professionals.

00:56 What we've done is shot ourselves in the foot completely.

01:01 Simon who continues to perform across Europe sees himself as one of the lucky ones able

01:06 to take advantage of his grandmother's German heritage.

01:11 Anita Laska Valfisch, a German-born Jewish Auschwitz survivor, understands and supports

01:17 her grandson's decision to take up German citizenship.

01:20 He is a real European and of course these stupid Brexit people didn't give it thought

01:26 for anything.

01:27 As far as we are concerned, this is a total practical decision.

01:31 German, English, European.

01:35 Here at the Royal Albert Hall, the impact of Brexit on the music industry is reverberating.

01:39 A recent survey by the Independent Society of Musicians found UK musicians are grappling

01:45 with dwindling opportunities within the EU.

01:48 Half of them report a decline in European-based opportunities since Brexit and a quarter are

01:53 left with no engagements at all inside the European Union.

01:57 Sean Patel was too young to vote in the Brexit referendum.

02:01 A baritone singer recently recruited to work at a Danish opera house only for the opportunity

02:06 to fall apart due to visa complications.

02:09 They were completely honest.

02:10 They said because of Brexit, because of my situation as a British citizen, it's going

02:16 to be more difficult for me to be able to come over.

02:19 I was their first choice but unfortunately just couldn't get it in time.

02:24 Sean is now going through the process of applying for an EU passport through his Irish heritage.

02:30 But British musicians who don't have that option are now calling for a bespoke visa

02:35 waiver agreement with the EU to be allowed to continue to play on in Europe.

02:40 Luke Hanrahan, Euronews, London.

02:42 (roaring)

02:44 [SWOOSH]