Dancers are highly mobile performers. Without the constraint of language barriers, they are likely to work in many countries throughout their careers and often struggle to make sense of the patchwork of social security, tax and administrative regimes they may have been fallen under in the course of their working lives - making them more vulnerable when it comes to trying to access social rights.

The aim of the Dance Passport is to be a source of support for professional dancers in the context of mobility. It is a union solidarity network for dancers abroad. This scheme allows dancers, who are paid-up union members in their home country, to access local union support while working for a short period in any European country where there is a participating union. Thanks to the strong co-operation and partnership between the union members of the International Federation of Actors (FIA), the Dance Passport promises better information and more comprehensive protection for dancers working in Europe.

The Dance Passport is intended for professional dancers based in Europe and planning to work for a short period in another European country. Dancers will be able to freely access the information available on this website, including the details of a direct contact person within each of the unions participating in the scheme, as well as a set of frequently asked questions. For more specific information, advice or any other additional services, the dancer will need to contact the local union and prove that he or she is a union member in his/her home country.

For more information about the Dance Passport, visit: dancepassport.eu.

Photo: David Hofmann