In fact Airbus thrust levers are moving, just not moved by a servo but rather by the pilot. Yes, in normal flight with autothrust on they are in the CLB or MCT detent and don't move from there. However, in manual thrust they work like any other thrust lever too, just quite a bit more sensitive.
And what i think is much more intuitive is the go around case, just put them full forward and you are in go around mode (in the air) and you will get the thrust, even on the ground. Much more intuitive than the TOGA buttons on the boeings that may or may not work depending on where you are.
Of course moving thrust levers do have advantages too, not necessarily in SA, but one can easily intervene in autothrust operation if otto is doing something stupid (again). That is a much less intuitive task on the bus in my view.
And to answer the OPs question, they have to be moved during take off, go around and retard, there is just no servo to do it for you. Intuitive enough for sure, and thrust lever position on a boeing does not tell you thrust either, it just tells you thrust demand, not if it's met.