The European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO), part of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, has published its latest in-depth legal analysis, titled “The Status of Artists and Cultural and Creative Professionals in Europe: Social Rights and Circulation”. Authored by Sophie Valais, deputy head of the Observatory’s Legal Department, the report explores employment patterns, legal frameworks, social protections and cross-border mobility, highlighting both persistent vulnerabilities and emerging policy responses.

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Europe’s cultural and creative sectors (CCS) employ 7.7 million people, or 3.8% of total EU employment. The sector is characterised by high mobility, a large proportion of freelancers and widespread project-based work. Nearly one in three creative professionals is self-employed – more than double the EU average – and over two-thirds (68%) juggle multiple jobs, with more than one-third working outside the sector to make ends meet. Long periods without paid work remain common, particularly among audiovisual creators such as directors and screenwriters, affecting over half of them. While 53% of audiovisual professionals work cross-border, they face major taxation and social protection challenges.

The report highlights the difficulty of defining who counts as an artist or creative professional. International classification systems, national legislation and sectoral recognition vary widely, affecting legal recognition, social protection and career mobility. These inconsistencies leave many professionals in precarious positions. The sector is driven by youth, high qualifications and technological skills, particularly in audiovisual and digital media, yet instability is widespread. The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions, reducing job opportunities and accelerating digital transformation. The rise of AI-generated content is reshaping production processes and employment patterns, while micro, small and medium-sized enterprises dominate the sector. Larger firms in broadcasting and distribution face challenges around funding, survival and digital adaptation.

Legal and policy frameworks governing the status of artists remain fragmented but are evolving. International standards from UNESCO and the International Labour Organization, alongside Council of Europe conventions and EU-level directives, provide guidance but often fail to accommodate freelancers and self-employed workers. Recent EU developments, including the Platform Work Directive (2024/2831) and the European Parliament’s 2021 and 2023 resolutions on a European status of the artist, aim to improve social protection, cross-border mobility and working conditions.

Challenges persist in atypical employment, false self-employment, gaps in social protection, tax complexity and administrative burdens. Cross-border mobility is essential but is hindered by inconsistent definitions, complex taxation and fragmented social security systems. National approaches to addressing these issues vary. Germany’s Artists’ Social Insurance Fund (KSK), Belgium’s recognition system, France’s intermittents du spectacle and Spain’s 2022 Statute of the Artist offer tailored legal and social protections. Slovenia, Cyprus, Ireland and Finland implement tax relief, flexible eligibility criteria or mobility programmes. While these measures demonstrate some progress, fragmentation across Europe remains significant.

Social dialogue and collective bargaining are increasingly important for securing fairer conditions. Trade unions, professional organisations and digital worker collectives now represent freelancers, self-employed professionals and platform workers. Agreements in the UK, France and Sweden demonstrate improvements in remuneration, working hours, pensions and dispute resolution while addressing emerging challenges such as AI integration and cross-border mobility.

The report concludes that Europe’s artists and creative professionals are gaining recognition, but continued efforts are needed. Coordinated policy action, national innovations and EU initiatives have improved social protection and career sustainability, yet harmonising definitions, ensuring social rights portability and providing fair labour conditions remain crucial. As the sector adapts to technological, economic and social change, collaboration, data sharing and innovative policy solutions will be essential to safeguard the future of Europe’s creative professions.

You can download the full report here.