Spanish Embassy in UK
39 Chesham Place
London SW1X 8SB

T +44 (0)20 7235 5555
F +44 (0)20 7235 9905

For more information, please contact the Embassy directly.

British Council Spain


Work Permits
UK citizens do not need work permits at all in Spain as they are members of the EU. However, at the moment, if they wish to come to Spain to work for any period of time they will have to get residence permits. This ruling is in the process of being abolished. So, for the moment, any UK artist wishing to come here to live and work should consult the Spanish Embassy or Consulate-General in London.

Visas
UK citizens to not need visas to enter Spain. Citizens of the EU do not need visas to enter Spain. Other nationalities should enquire at the nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate about visa requirements.

Tax
Information for performing artists (e.g. touring theatre groups and musical formations): According to Spanish law when a fee is paid to foreign performers, a 25% tax on the gross amount must be withheld and paid to the Spanish tax authorities. So UK companies must make clear in their information that they want a net fee. For example:

• If a UK company wants a net fee of £12,000, the local contracting venue must make the following calculation:
• £12,000 divided by .75 = £16,000. This is the gross fee that must actually appear in the contract between the two parties.
• 25% of this gross fee, that is, £4000 will de deducted to be paid over to Spanish tax authorities.
• Some, however, say that if the fee can be broken down further, for example, this amount for technicians fees, that amount for hire of instruments or music, and that amount for performers' fee, then this 25% is only applicable to the part which is the actors' or performers' fee.

Companies that are on tour and include a quantity in their overall fee which corresponds to a percentage of a complicated air fare deal because they have tickets going from one country to another, make it very hard for the local authorities as they will have to pay this 25% tax on the lot. This can be avoided if fares, freight, per diems, etc. are separate from company fee.

Insurance/Freight
Insurance of items being transported (e.g. stage set and costumes) must be included in the contract with the freight company as local venues and festival will not take responsibility for items lost and damaged.