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