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Unleashing the potential of the european live performance sector - key findings from a pearle* mobility survey

Across Europe, citizens of all ages, backgrounds and countries may enjoy live concerts, performances, or shows, with access to culture often taken for granted. But very little is known about the countless rules that apply when putting on these same concerts, performances and shows, not least in a cross-border context. Moreover, the live performance sector – encompassing live music, performing arts and event enterprises – rarely follows standardised practices, as operations are nearly always customised to fit specific needs. Following the initiatives of the European Commission on a Competitiveness Compass in January 2025, the Strategy on a Single Market in May 2025, and the presentation of a Cultural Compass in November 2025, Pearle* is pleased to present the findings of a mobility survey conducted among its members between September and December 2025.

The survey gathered 179 responses from 19 countries across Europe, offering insight into the areas and types of challenges the sector faces on a daily basis when working across borders. Alongside the difficulty of understanding the rules, the associated administrative burdens and complicated, often lengthy processes create deeper underlying problems, such as cash-flow pressures and direct loss of income, as well as wasted human resources time, unnecessary expenditure, and additional costs for hiring experts, lawyers, consultants, or payroll service providers.

Drawing directly from daily practice, examples and quotes illustrate just how significant the challenges are when carrying out cross-border activities.

To reduce administrative burdens, three main recommendations emerged: ensuring consistency of rules and their implementation across Member States, providing single information portals, and offering a one-stop shop for administrative compliance.