A Filmmaker’s Guide
to Shooting in Greece
Our company works with local professionals to make sure you
are getting the right help throughout media production.
Permits in Greece: What You Need to Know
If you’re planning a film production in Greece this year, then you’ll be relieved to hear that most productions don’t require film permits. The only time you’ll need to go down this road is if your shoot is going to upset traffic or cause issues for ordinary people. Similarly, you won’t be able to shoot in any heritage or archaeological sites, or military and port facilities without official permission. This permission must be obtained through the Ministry of Culture.
Timing Your Greek Film Production around the Weather
A day without sun in Greece is a rare thing! However, it can happen during the winter months of November to March, so if your film project needs a super-sunny background, then it’s best to pencil in production dates during the Continental summer, which runs from June to August. Be aware that temperatures can soar to 30°C+ (80°F +) during this time, which can be hard on a crew (and equipment) not used to this heat intensity.
We generally recommend Spring (April and May) and Autumn (September and October) as the best months to film in Greece. It’s milder, though still warm with plenty of bright sunshine, and fewer tourists.
Planning Filming Equipment Rental & Local Crew Logistics
Greece is an ATA Carnet coutnry, so bringing your own film kit with you will not be problematic. If, however, you’d prefer to rent your equipment locally, that’s easily done too. Greece has a wide selection of top film equipment rental houses, and we have strong connections with many of them.
There are also many English-speaking film professionals here so finding a crew fluent in English and Greek will not be an issue. Different fees may apply, but we’ll help you find the best English-speaking crew for your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it an ATA carnet country?
Yes.
Is it safe for me and my team to film there?
Yes.
Do I need a visa or a work visa to film there?
You don’t need a work visa if your shoot lasts less than 3 months.
Do I need a local company to film or get visas there?
No, but we recommend working with a production fixer.
Do I need a permit for drones?
Yes, you will need to apply directly to the Greek authorities for a drone permit, and it’ll take around 3 weeks before you get a response. The easiest and fastest route to ensuring you have permissiont o fly a drone on production day is to hire a local drone operator.
Is there a cash rebate/tax exemption or any other fiscal advantage?
Yes, the programme for Cash Rebate for Greek Audiovisual Works (CRGR-FTV) offers a very generous tax exemption of 40% on eligible production costs for pre-production, production, and post-production on all feature films, documentaries, TV series, animated films, and digital games made in the country. There is a cap of €8 million per project.
Can I shoot in a national park and, if so, under what circumstances?
If you have permission from the National Parks you can shoot, though there may be some restrictions depending on which park it is. Your local film fixer will guide you in this process.
Working with Fixer Greece
With Fixer Greece, you can be certain of professional and comprehensive production support service. Need research, location scouting, and securing permits? We can do it. Translation services, crew hiring and kit management? We’ve done it several times. Field production, transportation, and all other logistics? You don’t have to worry—we’re on it! This is the reason that many international organizations and production companies work with us. Our clients represent lots of different sectors from Adidas and the World Health Organization to globally-recognised YouTubers and the popular French TV show, Travels with Nikki.
