EES – We need visa-free travel to support coach and event operators

There’s a growing problem facing UK haulage, coach, and live event logistics businesses operating in Europe — and it’s not yet on everyone’s radar.

Right now, drivers are limited to spending 90 days in every 180 in EU countries. When the long-delayed EU Entry/Exit System goes live later this year, these rules will be enforced far more strictly — adding red tape and hitting businesses hard.

Some are already turning down work. Others are questioning whether they can sustain their European operations at all.

We’re working with our international members, industry partners, and trade bodies across the live events and music sectors to keep this on the government’s agenda. We continue to call for a Professional Drivers' Exemption — a pragmatic, visa-free solution for those moving touring artists and their equipment between the UK and EU.

Without action, businesses will be forced to scale back, opportunities will be lost, and jobs across the UK will be at risk. As one operator told us: “We feel invisible — we just want the government to hear us so our business can survive.”

We’ll keep pushing, engaging policymakers, and making the case for common-sense solutions.