The Schengen Zone Basics
The Schengen Area comprises 27 countries including France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland.
Core rule for non-EU citizens: 90 days in any 180-day rolling window
This is not 90 days per year. It is 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. A crew member who spent 45 days in Spain in March and April and returns to Germany in September has already used half their Schengen allowance for that window.
Citizens Covered by the Schengen Visa-Free List
Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and most Latin American countries can enter the Schengen zone without a visa for short stays (under 90 days in 180) for tourism and, in practice, much short-duration professional activity.
However, "visa-free" is not the same as "work permit free."
The Work vs. Tourism Gray Zone
- Attending a festival or event as press or creator: generally covered under visitor entry. No work permit required.
- Being paid by a non-EU company to perform work on EU soil: technically requires a work permit in many member states.
- Being hired by an EU production company: requires compliance with local labor law, typically including A1 forms.
In practice, short productions under 10 days with a non-EU employer rarely trigger permit requirements for non-EU crew. For productions over 30 days or those working with EU broadcast partners, compliance is more important.
A1 Social Security Forms
The A1 form is issued by the social security authority in a crew member home country and confirms they are paying social security contributions there while working temporarily abroad. Required for:
- EU citizens working in a different EU member state
- Workers from treaty countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan) working in EU countries with applicable bilateral agreements
Production managers should request A1 forms from crew members at the start of any EU production lasting more than 7 days.
Country-Specific Rules
Germany: Strict on work permit compliance for non-EU crew paid by German companies. Properly structured non-EU crew engaged via a German service company is the standard compliant path.
France: Regulated by the Caisse des Conges Spectacles system. Foreign crew working on French productions claiming French tax credits must be engaged via a French intermediary.
Portugal: Generally more flexible in practice. Most short productions with non-EU crews working for non-EU clients operate without incident.
Czech Republic: Prague is one of Europe most popular film production destinations. Czech labor authorities are experienced with international productions. See our top film-friendly cities guide.
UK Post-Brexit Rules
The UK is no longer in the Schengen zone. EU citizens no longer have automatic right to work in the UK. Short-term creative work by EU professionals is covered under the Creative Worker concession (under 3 months), but this requires the UK employer to notify the Home Office in advance.
Practical Recommendations
1. Track Schengen days per crew member from day one
2. Request A1 forms for any crew member working across EU borders on productions over 7 days
3. Engage local service companies in Germany and France if receiving local subsidies
4. Brief non-EU crew on the 90/180 rule before booking travel
5. Keep engagement letters and insurance certificates accessible at the border
Browse jobs for film and production crews across European cities. The talent directory lists crew and production managers in Berlin, Lisbon, Prague, Budapest. See top film-friendly cities in Europe for city-by-city incentive notes. For event crew in specific cities, browse the cities directory.
Note: This guide is for general information. Consult an employment lawyer for specific compliance advice on your production.