Sex Work

Definition of “Sex Work”
While most of the time in our legal agenda we use the term “sex work“, sometimes we also talk about “prostitution“. By sex work we mean all kinds of work in the sex industry, be it as a striptease or go-go dancer, as a barmaid or waitress, offering phone or internet sex, or offering sexual services. By prostitution, we mean only the offering and selling of sexual services. Although we don’t like the term prostitution, because it tends to discriminate against sex workers, we have to distinguish between sex work and prostitution, since some national legal systems make a distinction between the legal situation for prostitutes and for other workers in the sex industry.

1. Sex Work – Austria

Austrian law deems prostitution to be a contravention of public morality. For this reason, prostitutes do not enjoy workers’ rights and social security benefits. Sex workers who work as prostitutes face certain restrictions. An offence against prostitution regulations may result in a fine or penalisation. This is especially true for migrants from non-EU countries: on the one hand it is almost impossible for them to obtain residence and work permits to work in the sex industry, on the other working in prostitution may result in the loss of their visa/residence permit, in expulsion and deportation.

You will find everything you need to know about working conditions and restrictions in the sex industry in the section Sex Work – Austria.

2. Sex Work – Belgium

In Belgium, prostitution and other forms of sex work are not illegal and, in particular, are not penalised. However, sex workers face many restrictions, since it is supposed to contravene public morality. This is especially true for migrants from non-EU countries. On the one hand, it is almost impossible for them to obtain residence and work permits in order to work in the sex industry, on the other, working in prostitution may result in the loss of their visa and residence permit, in expulsion and deportation.

You can find everything you need to know about working conditions and restrictions in the sex industry in the section Sex Work -Belgium.

3. Sex Work – Denmark

In Denmark, prostitution and other forms of sex work are not illegal, and in particular are not penalised. However, sex workers face many restrictions. This is especially true for migrants from non-EU countries; on the one hand it is almost impossible for them to obtain residence and work permits in order to work in the sex industry, on the other hand, working in prostitution may result in the loss of their visa and residence permit, in expulsion or deportation.

You can find everything you need to know about working conditions and restrictions in the sex industry in the section Sex Work – Denmark.

4. Sex Work – Finland

Though the legal status of prostitution in Finland is vague, prostitution and other forms of sex work are not illegal, and in particular are not penalised.
However, sex workers face many restrictions. This is especially true for migrants from non-EU countries: working in prostitution may result in the loss of their visa or residence permit and in expulsion.

You can find everything you need to know about working conditions and restrictions in the sex industry in the section Sex Work – Finland.

5. Sex Work – France

In France, prostitution and other forms of sex work are not illegal and, in particular, are not penalised. However, sex workers face many restrictions. This is especially true for migrants from non-EU countries. It is almost impossible for them to obtain residence and work permits in order to work in the sex industry, and working in prostituion may result in the loss of visa or residence permit and, consequently, in expulsion and deportation.

You can find everything you need to know about working conditions and restrictions in the sex industry in the section Sex Work – France.

6. Sex Work – Germany

In Germany, prostitution and other forms of sex work are not illegal, and in particular are not penalised; nevertheless, sex workers face many restrictions. This is especially true for migrants from non-EU countries; on the one hand it is almost impossible for them to obtain residence and work permits in order to work in the sex industry, on the other working in prostitution may result in the loss of their visa/residence permit, in expulsion and deportation.

You will find everything you need to know about working conditions and restrictions in the sex industry in the section Sex Work – Germany.

7. Sex Work – Greece

In Greece, prostitution and other forms of sex work are not illegal and, in particular, are not penalised if the woman holds the necessary permits. However, sex workers face many restrictions. This is especially true for migrants from non-EU countries. On the one hand it is almost impossible for them to obtain residence and work permits in order tow work in the sex industry, on the other, working in prostitution may result in the loss of their visa and residence permit, in expulsion and deportation.

You can find everything you need to know about working conditions and restrictions in the sex industry in the section Sex Work – Greece.

8. Sex Work – Ireland

In Ireland, prostitution is effectively illegal and punishable as a crime. Other kind of sex work (go-go dancing, waitress etc.) is legal if the woman holds a valid residence and work permit. However, also sex workers other than women working in prostitution face many restrictions. On the one hand it is very difficult for them to obtain residence and work permits in order to work in the sex industry, on the other hand working as a sex worker without the necessary permits may result in the loss of their visa/ residence permit, in expulsion and deportation.

You can find everything you need to know about working conditions and restrictions in the sex industry in the section Sex Work – Ireland.

9. Sex Work – Italy

In Italy, prostitution and other forms of sex work are not illegal, and in particular are not penalised; nevertheless, it is prohibited to facilitate prostitution, to exploit prostitutes, to lure clients, and to organise or practise prostitution in closed places. Prostitutes do not enjoy workers’ rights or social security benefits, and face many restrictions. This situation is even more complicated in the case of migrants from non-EU countries. It is not possible to obtain a permit to work as a prostitute; nevertheless, it is difficult but possible to obtain an artist’s work permit which enables the holder to work as a table dancer or go-go dancer, or in the entertainment industry in a club, bar or discotheque.

You will find everything you need to know about working conditions and restrictions in the sex industry in the sections Sex Work – Italy and Migration – Staying for Work Purposes – Italy.

10. Sex Work – The Netherlands

Under Dutch Law, prostitution is not considered a contravention of public morality. This means that in theory it should be considered normal employment. However, in reality, some kinds of discrimination can still be found. In particular, migrant sex workers do not benefit from the employee status granted to prostitutes, since they always have to obtain a work permit if they want to work in the Netherlands as a prostitute and a work permit is hardly ever granted.

You will find everything you need to know about working conditions and restrictions in the sex industry in the section Sex Work- The Netherlands.

11. Sex Work – Portugal

You can find everything you need to know about working conditions and restrictions in the sex industry in the section Sex Work – Portugal.

12. Sex Work – Spain

In Spain, prostitution and other forms of sex work are not illegal, and in particular are not penalised; nevertheless, prostitution is considered to contravene public morality. For this reason, prostitutes do not enjoy workers’ rights and social security benefits, and face many restrictions. This is especially true for migrants from non-EU countries, since it is impossible for them to obtain residency and work permits in order to work in the sex industry.

You can find everything you need to know about working conditions and restrictions in the sex industry in the section Sex Work – Spain.

13. Sex Work – United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, prostitution and other forms of sex work are not per se illegal. However, sex workers do face many restrictions. This is especially true for migrants from non-EU countries. It is almost impossible for them to obtain the necessary permits in order to work in the sex industry. Therefore, this kind of work may result in losing one’s permission to stay in the United Kingdom.

Everything you need to know about working conditions and restrictions in the sex industry can be found in the section Sex Work – United Kingdom.