Greece 🇬🇷

Greece offers a comprehensive suite of incentives to attract international film and television productions, including a cash rebate and tax relief programs. Below is a detailed overview:

1. Greece Filming Incentives - Cash Rebate and Tax Reliefs

Cash Rebate:

Greece provides a cash rebate of up to 40% on eligible production expenses incurred within the country.

Tax Relief:

A tax relief incentive allows for a 30% deduction on eligible expenses from the net taxable income of investors in approved audiovisual projects.

2. Film Incentives Breakdown

Cash Rebate:

Rebate Percentage:

40% of eligible expenses.

Eligible Productions:

Feature films, documentaries, television series, animated films, and digital games.

Minimum Expenditure Thresholds:

• €100,000 for feature films.
• €25,000 per TV episode, with a total minimum of €100,000 for the series.
• €60,000 for documentaries and animated films.
• €30,000 for digital games.

Application Deadline:

Applications must be submitted no later than 10 days before the start of production or post-production in Greece.

Disbursement:

The rebate is paid no later than six months after the completion of production, provided all legal requirements are met.

Tax Relief:

Relief Percentage:

30% deduction on eligible expenses.

Eligible Expenses:

Expenses incurred in Greece for each audiovisual work.

Application Process:

Applications are submitted through the State Aid Information System platform.

Utilization:

The tax relief is calculated by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) based on the respective income tax return.

3. Filming Incentives Terms and Conditions

Cash Rebate:

Cultural Test:

Projects must pass a cultural test, scoring at least 20 out of 50 points for fiction and documentaries, and 16 out of 40 points for animation and digital games.

Eligible Expenses:

Include royalties, fees for key personnel (director, scriptwriter, leading actors, producer), insurance premiums, production service fees, travel expenses, and dubbing/subtitling.

Exclusions:

Expenses for financial assets, fixed assets and their depreciation, marketing, promotion, and communication costs are excluded.

Tax Relief:

Beneficiaries:

Companies established or having a branch in Greece, operating for the purpose of producing audiovisual works.

Compliance:

Beneficiaries must comply with the provisions of Joint Ministerial Decision 1007/2020.

4. Governing Bodies for the Incentives

Cash Rebate:

Administered by the National Centre of Audiovisual Media & Communication (EKOME S.A.).

Tax Relief:

Managed by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) and applications are processed through the State Aid Information System.

5. Filming Incentive Application Process

Cash Rebate:

1. Application Submission:

Submit an application via EKOME’s electronic system at least 10 days before the start of production or post-production in Greece.

2. Cultural Test Evaluation:

The project undergoes a cultural test to assess eligibility.

3. Approval:

Upon passing the cultural test and meeting all criteria, the project is approved for the rebate.

4. Production:

Proceed with production activities in Greece.

5. Rebate Disbursement:

After completion and compliance verification, the rebate is disbursed within six months.

Tax Relief:

1. Application Submission:

Submit an application through the State Aid Information System platform.

2. Approval:

The application is reviewed, and upon meeting all requirements, approval is granted.

3. Tax Deduction:

The tax relief is applied to the net taxable income in the income tax return.

For detailed guidelines and application forms, it is advisable to consult the official websites of EKOME and the Independent Authority for Public Revenue or contact them directly for assistance.