Reed Smith LLP

Reed Smith Client Alerts

Government incentives and rebates for film and television production

Subscribe
Home Perspectives Government incentives and rebates for film and television production

This comparison aims to provide a comprehensive overview of government incentives prevalent in different jurisdictions, including Greece, Singapore, UAE (Abu Dhabi), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UK, and the United States (California and New York). Whether one is contemplating the offerings of established industry hubs such as Hollywood, exploring opportunities in international centers, or seeking emerging markets, this table serves as an invaluable resource in the pursuit of identifying the ideal setting for forthcoming film and television productions.

A PDF download of this information in a comparison table is available below.

A group of four motion picture cameras set up for a sunrise shot.

Greek Incentive Scheme/Cash rebate

Maximum amount that can be claimed

Up to 40% of the eligible expenses incurred within the Greek territory. The maximum amount that can be claimed is capped at €12,000,000.

Legal requirements for eligibility

The following requirements apply (nonexhaustively):

  • Applicant must be a production company that is incorporated or has an establishment in Greece or a Greek production services company working with a foreign producer for the purpose of a production or the execution of a production of an audiovisual work.
  • Fictional film and television productions should incur eligible expenses within the Greek territory of a minimum amount €100,000. Depending on the content of the productions, different minimum thresholds of eligible expenses apply.
  • A production must also attain a minimum score of 20 points in meeting certain cultural criteria requirements as laid down under the Greek law. Specifically, such requirements pertain to the content of the production (i.e., indicatively scenario whose plot takes place in Greece and/or scenario on a topic related to Greek or European history, the cast, and crew (i.e., indicatively participation of Greeks or citizens of European Economic Area countries in the main specialisms or in other specialisms), and the production (i.e., indicatively exterior and interior scenes shot in natural setting and studios in Greece for certain days, final editing, image processing, and sound processing in Greece).

What type of costs qualify for the incentive?

Qualifying costs (eligible expenses) are the production expenses incurred in the Greek territory and not exceeding 80% of the total production expenses.

Eligible expenses include:

  • Costs concerning the fee of the screenwriter, the director, and the music copyrights;
  • Costs for all kinds of services directly related to the production, such as accommodations and food, transportation, rental of equipment, studios, and post-production services;
  • Wage costs for the jobs necessary for implementing the production;
  • Materials and supply costs.

Notes:

  • The expenses shall be considered eligible from the date the application is submitted to qualify the production as eligible for the cash rebate. Preproduction costs incurred, invoiced, and paid after the date of application submission shall be considered eligible.
  • For audiovisual works involving eligible costs over €8 million, for the costs concerning director’s fees and the fees of the two leading roles (cast), it shall be permitted to receive invoices issued by natural persons or companies or other legal entities having their registered office or being permanently established in a foreign country, provided that the abovementioned foreign country is not a noncooperative tax jurisdiction.

Other considerations

  • The beneficiary of the cash rebate may be either the Greek production services company or the foreign producer.
  • The cash rebate is disbursed once the production has been completed and the costs of the investment plan have been audited.