FILMING PERMITS

General

Filming Permits are issued by archaeological, military, municipal and other competent authorities. There is no central, nationwide body responsible for issuing filming permits. The application and issuing procedures, time required and fees levied vary from location to location. Filming on private property requires a permit issued by the owners of that property.

Article 36 of Law 3905/2010 on the Support and Development of the Cinema states that:

 Re Permits for filming

  1. No permit is required to film (for the cinema, TV etc.) in open-air spaces, except in the case of special permits provided for by law and issued by the relevant archaeological, municipal or other authority.
  2. Special conditions and restrictions are in force covering filming (cinematic or otherwise) in areas on Greece’s national borders. These regulations exist to protect Greece’s national interests and were put in place by joint decision of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Culture and Tourism.
  3. Producers of cinematic and/or audio-visual works may be permitted to make use of units of the armed or security forces if permission is granted by the Ministers for Culture and Tourism and other ministers with competencies relevant to the particular request.
  4. In cases where such permission is granted in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 above, the producer must allow the work to be screened for the units from the armed or security forces who were involved in its filming.

 

Letter to facilitate filming, issued by the Greek Film Centre

The Hellenic Film Commission can provide a Letter to facilitate filming from the Greek Film Centre (ECC) to the departments and local authorities in question relating to the filming or fiction films and television programmes of a fictional nature.

In order to issue a LETTER TO FACILITATE FILMING, the Hellenic Film Commission requires the following information:

  • The title of the audiovisual project
  • The name of the director
  • The name of the producer and production company and/or production manager and/or location manager
  • The country of production
  • Precise filming locations and dates

Please email this information to: info@gfc.gr, v.vergou@gfc.gr , stavroula.geronimaki@gfc.gr

Certificate confirming the absence of violence, racism and sexism 

In accordance with Decision Β1138 (Gov. Gazette: 10.4.12), in the case of filming in archaeological and historical sites, the Hellenic Film Commission provides the CERTIFICATE issued by the Greek Film Centre (GFC) to confirm that the script of the production in question does not promote violence, racism or sexism and is not in breach of any legislation in force in Greece. The CERTIFICATE has then to be submitted to the Ministry of Culture and Sport as part of the application process for the required filming permit

In order to issue a Certificate confirming the absence of violence, racism and sexism  the Hellenic Film Commission requires the following information:

  • The title of the audio-visual project
  • The script (in Greek or English)
  • The name of the director
  • The name of the producer and production company and/or production manager and/or location manager
  • The country of production
  • Precise filming locations and dates

Please email this information to: info@gfc.gr,  v.vergou@gfc.gr,
stavroula.geronimaki@gfc.gr
 

The Hellenic Film Commission does not issue filming permits. It can, however, provide information relating to the various authorities that do. It can also provide a LETTER TO FACILITATE FILMING from the Greek Film Centre (ECC) to the competent departments and local authorities relating to the filming of fiction films and television programmes of a fictional nature.

Finally, in accordance with Decision B1138 (Gov. Gazette: 10.4.12) relating to filming in archaeological and historical sites, the Hellenic Film Commission can provide a CERTIFICATE from the Greek Film Centre (GFC) which confirms that the script of the film in question does not promote violence, racism or sexism and is not in breach of any legislation in force in Greece. The CERTIFICATE has to be submitted to the Ministry of Culture and Sport as part of the filming permit application process.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

The Ministry of Culture and Sports (YPPOA) is responsible for the vast cultural heritage of Greece. This includes the country’s archaeological sites and modern (post-1830) monuments, museums, movable and immovable cultural assets, underwater monuments, cultural buildings and historic sites (Law 3028/2002).

The Ministry of Culture and Sports with its competent Directorates, Services and Councils, is responsible for issuing filming permits (for cinematic and other audio-visual productions) for archeological sites, museums, monuments and historical sites in Greece.

The filming permit is granted after the relevant application form is submitted by the interested parties.You can find the application form for filming permits here:

https://www.culture.gov.gr/en/service/SitePages/view.aspx?iID=2691

The following information is required to complete the application form for a filming permit in Museums, Monuments, Archaeological Sites and Historic Sites:

  1. The full details of the natural or legal person (name/suranme, postal address, telephone, e-mail), in whose name the permit and the document for the collection of the fees will be issued, including the tax details, as well as the name of the person responsible for the produciton.
  2. Purpose of filming
  3. A synopsis of the script in Greek or English, as well as a description of the scenes that will be shot in the specific areas, in the case of a fiction film or a commercial or TV production (excluding news programs). In case of a documentary, a description of the action of the script without dialogues (treatment) is submitted.
  4. List of the crew and description of the technical equipment to be used, as well as any description that facilitates the understanding of the shooting conditions.
  5. Detailed list of filming dates per monument / space / museum.
  6. Solemn declaration that the terms of this decision will be observed.
  7. Solemn declaration that the applicant will pay the corresponding VAT in terms of payment of fees.
  8. Certificate / solemn declaration for the amount of the production budget and the crew list for the whole production.
  9. In the case of fiction films, commercials, TV productions (excluding news programs) and documentaries, an additional Certificate provided by the Greek Film Centreis required, documenting that the script or the treatment does not promote violence, racism or sexism and does not violate current Greek law and human rights (please, read below).

The application for a filming permit is sent to the Services of the Ministry of Culture and Sports as follows:

  1. For filming in a monument/s, archeological site/s, historical place /s, museum/s that fall within the competence of the same Service of the Ministry of Culture, the interested party submits an application to the electronic address of the competent Service of the Ministry of Culture (i.e. Ephorate of Antiquities, Service of Modern Monuments and Technical Works or Museum). https://www.culture.gov.gr/en/ministry/SitePages/viewyphresia.aspx?iID=1304
  2. For filming in more than one monument, archeological sites, historical sites or museums that fall under the responsibility of different Services of the Ministry of Culture, the interested party submits an application to the General Directorate of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage(GDAPK) to the following email: gda@culture.gr.
  3. For the filming of a monument registered in the List of World Heritage Sites (UNESCO) and if there are special reasons for the protection of the monument, the request is forwarded by the competent Directorates of the Ministry of Culture to the Central Archaeological Council(KAS) or the Central Council of Modern Monuments (KSNM).

In these cases, the decision on the request is issued by the Minister of Culture and Sports, after the opinion of the competent Council. In case of a request examined by the Central Archaeological Council (KAS) or the Central Council of Modern Monuments (KSNM), the interested party has the right to attend the meeting. Relevant instructions can be given by the Hellenic Film Commission of Greek Film Centre.

Certificate confirming the absence of violence, racism and sexism provided by the Hellenic Film Commission of the Greek Film Centre.

In accordance with Decision Β1138 (Gov. Gazette: 10.4.12), in the case of filming in archaeological and historical sites, the Hellenic Film Commission provides the CERTIFICATE issued by the Greek Film Centre (GFC) to confirm that the script of the production in question does not promote violence, racism or sexism and is not in breach of any legislation in force in Greece. The CERTIFICATE has then to be submitted to the Ministry of Culture and Sport as part of the application process for the required filming permit

In order to issue a Certificate confirming the absence of violence, racism and sexism  the Hellenic Film Commission requires the following information:

  • The title of the audio-visual project
  • The script (in Greek or English)
  • The name of the director
  • The name of the producer and production company and/or production manager and/or location manager
  • The country of production
  • Precise filming locations and dates

Please email this information to: info@gfc.gr,  v.vergou@gfc.gr, stavroula.geronimaki@gfc.gr

 

Relevant Legislation:

  1. The Ministerial Decision with Reference Number ΥΠΠΟΑ/ΓΔΑΠΚ/ΔΙΠΚΑ/ΤΠΚΑΧΜΑΕ/356481/254593/7509/2927 (Government Gazette Issue B΄ 2812/04.07.2019.
  2. The Joint Ministerial Decision with Reference Number ΥΠΠΟΤ/ΔΟΕΠΥ/ΤΟΠΥΝΣ/126463/28-12-2011 (Government Gazette Issue 3046/Β/30.12.2011).

The Ministry of Culture and Sports has posted application forms for filming permits, for the use of images, cinematography and photography of museums, archeological sites and monuments on its official website:https://www.culture.gov.gr/en/service/SitePages/view.aspx?iID=2691

Secretariat General for Media and Communication of the Ministry of Digital Policy

TV CREWS

The Secretariat General for Media and Communication of the Ministry of Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Media provides assistance and guidance to foreign TV crews, documentary film makers, journalists and photo-reporters who need a permit from the competent authorities to shoot and photograph.

Should you belong to one of the above categories, you could send your application to the Department for International Media Support in order to be provided with a document that, although it does not constitute a permit, it will facilitate your shooting in open public space.

Please, include the following information in your application:

    • which audio-visual sector/media you represent
    • the precise filming locations and dates
    • the purpose of the filming / photo shoot
  • information on the members of the crew

Contact:

Secretariat General for Media and Communication

Department for International Media Support

Tel. +30 210 9098310, +30 210 9098338

Email: public.relations1@minpress.gr

Website: https://media.gov.gr/eidika-aitimata/

Learn about the incentives: the Cash Rebate

The implementation of Law 4487/2017 was a decisive step towards attracting investment through the production of films, television series, documentaries, animation, and digital games in Greece.

Since September 2018 (Law 4563/2018) until recently, the rebate amounted to 35% on the eligible expenses incurred in Greece. The updated legislation (Law 4704/2020) raises the cash rebate to 40%, provides a more flexible floor for TV series (€15,000-€25,000 per episode), a new minimum for digital games (€30,000), and includes documentaries (€60,000), short films with a minimum of €60,000, while projects are financed without a cap (the higher the investment capital, the higher the cash rebate). Furthermore, the Greek cash rebate can now serve as collateral for producers to obtain funds through the Greek banking system.

Financing of the rebate is guaranteedthrough theGreek Public Investment Programme and amounts to €75 million available for the years 2018 to 2022. From April 2018 to September 2020, 86 applications have been included in the cash rebate programme (43 domestic and 43 international productions). The total of invested capital in the country amounts to €90 million while the total cash rebate subsidy amounts to € 30 million.

Getting started

  • Αpplications may be submitted for international and domestic productions and/or co-productions that choose Greece as the location for main photography, production, and/or post-production.
  • A smooth and timely procedure

Applications are submitted to EKOME all year long, no later than 10 days before the beginning of production and/or post-production, via an electronic system guaranteeing smooth, fast, and transparent processing.

  • .. it’s a wrap!

The subsidy is payable no later than six months after the completion of production or/and post-production, provided all prerequisites of the legislation are met.

Ν. 4487/17 (ΦΕΚ 116/Α/9-8-2017)
Ν. 4563/18 (ΦΕΚ 169/Α/20-9-2018)
ΚΥΑ 128/11-12-2018 (ΦΕΚ 5810/Β/24-12-2018)
Ν. 4704/2020

Source: National Centre of Audiovisual Media and Communication

https://www.ekome.media/