Introduction
Welcome to Greece, where history and modern life blend seamlessly. Hoodlum Film Fixers offers expert services to help you navigate the ins and outs of filming in this beautiful Mediterranean country. From the sun-drenched islands of the Aegean to the bustling streets of Athens, Greece provides a wide range of filming locations. Whether you’re producing a historical epic, a travel documentary, a commercial, or a contemporary drama, our team is here to support you with everything from location scouting to securing permits and local crews. With Hoodlum’s expertise, your film production in Greece will run smoothly, allowing you to focus on telling your story.
Planning to film in Greece? Let Hoodlum Film Fixers take care of the logistics, so you can focus on your creative vision. Contact us today and let’s make your Greece production a success.
Why Film in Greece?
Greece offers an array of stunning locations for filmmakers:
- Athens: The centre of ancient civilization, with iconic landmarks like the Acropolis, and vibrant modern streets.
- Santorini: Known for its white-washed buildings and spectacular sunsets, perfect for romantic or lifestyle shoots.
- Crete: A mix of ancient ruins, serene beaches, and mountainous landscapes, ideal for a wide variety of settings.
- Meteora: Breathtaking rock formations and monasteries—perfect for dramatic, awe-inspiring shots.
- Peloponnese: Historic sites such as Olympia combined with stunning coastlines, offering a blend of heritage and natural beauty.
Local Languages
The official language is Modern Greek (Νεοελληνική, Neoellinikí), widely spoken across the country.
Local Currency
The currency in Greece is the Euro (EUR), making transactions seamless for productions operating within the Eurozone.
Weather / Seasons
- Spring (April – June): Ideal for filming with blooming landscapes and moderate temperatures (up to 39°C/102°F by June).
- Autumn (September – November): Features golden foliage, fewer tourists, and comfortable weather.
These periods offer abundant sunlight (9-10 hours/day) and are cost-effective for filming.
Visa Requirements
General Requirement in Country
Film crews require:
- Schengen Visa (Type C): For stays up to 90 days.
- National Visa (Type D): For stays over 90 days.
Required Information / Documentation for Application
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months’ validity).
- Completed visa application form.
- Recent passport-sized photos (2-3).
- Proof of film-related profession (not required for short-stay visas).
- Travel health insurance and proof of visa fee payment.
Timings
- Schengen Visa (Type C): 15 days.
- National Visa (Type D): 30 days.
Cost
- Schengen Visa: €80.
- National Visa: €180.
Visa Application Link
Visa Application Portal
International Crew Accreditation
General Accreditation Requirements
To film in Greece, you must first register with the Greek Film Centre (GFC) and obtain a tax identification number (AFM) from the Greek Tax Authority.
Required Information / Documentation
To complete your accreditation, you’ll need to submit a fully filled-out application form, along with a valid passport and proof of health insurance coverage.
Timings
Processing takes 1-2 weeks.
Cost
Approx. €50-€200.
General Film Permit
Issuing Organizations
- Greek Film Centre (GFC): For public area filming and procedural guidance.
- Municipalities: For filming in city areas (streets, parks, squares).
- Ministry of Culture and Sports: For archaeological sites and museums.
- Ministry of Interior: For sensitive locations (e.g., military bases).
- Hellenic Police: For road closures and traffic restrictions.
- Regional Authorities: For filming in their jurisdictions.
Timings
Permit approvals take 2-4 weeks.
Required Documentation
- Completed application form.
- Script and storyboard.
- Shooting schedule and location list.
- Proof of liability insurance.
Cost
€500-€2,000.
Drone Permit
Regulations
For drone filming in Greece, registration with the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) is required for drones weighing over 250g. Additionally, a certified drone pilot’s license for commercial use is necessary, along with obtaining permits for any no-fly zones, such as airports or archaeological sites.
Importation Regulations
Drones over 25kg require an import permit from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
Issuing Authority
Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA).
Required Documentation
- Drone application form.
- Proof of liability insurance.
- Film permit from GFC or local authorities.
Timings
Processing takes 10-15 working days.
Cost
€20-€50.
Equipment Customs Clearance
Carnet Country
Greece is a Carnet country, simplifying the import/export process.
Required Documentation
- Carnet document.
- Commercial invoice and packing list.
Issuing Organization
Greek Customs Authority.
Timings
Clearance takes 3-5 working days.
Cost
€50-€200.
Film Rebates and Tax Incentives
Greece offers tax rebates for film productions that spend over €60,000. The application costs typically range from €700 to €1,500, with processing times taking between 3 to 6 months.
Safety & Security
General Overview
Greece is a safe and film-friendly destination, boasting modern infrastructure and supportive local authorities.
Security Requirements
- Stay informed about local conditions.
- Cooperate with local authorities for a seamless experience.
Greece – Film Production Requirements & Permits 🎬
General Requirement
Greece is part of the Schengen Area, so short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) follow Schengen visa rules. Citizens of EU / EEA countries can enter Greece without a visa. Non-EU nationals may require a Schengen visa; for longer stays, work, or employment in filming, a national permit / visa may be needed.
Required Information / Documentation for Application
Film crew members applying for entry or visa may need to provide:
- A valid passport
- Invitation letter or host production letter
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Health / travel insurance
- Detailed itinerary and filming schedule
- Crew list (names, roles, contacts)
- Any documents showing legitimacy of the production (contracts, financing, local partners)
If filming involves payment or employment, additional permits or work authorization may be required by Greek immigration or labor authorities.
Timings
Schengen / short-stay visas: about 15 calendar days (may vary). For more complex permits or if additional reviews are required, allow extra time. Always plan to submit visa or permit applications 6–8 weeks ahead (or more) to allow for delays
Cost
Standard Schengen visa costs (for non-EU nationals) apply. Additional fees for local permits, services, police / traffic coordination, location fees, etc., will vary by location. Permit and administrative fees for filming at archaeological / protected sites may carry special charges
Visa Application Link
You would apply via the Greek embassy / consulate in your country for visa, or via Greek immigration if a longer stay permit is necessary. (No single universal link provided here in the sources I found.)
International Crew Accreditation
General Accreditation Requirements
While Greece does not appear to have a single “crew accreditation” system, local municipalities, cultural authorities, or the Ministry of Culture may require:
- Passports / ID
- Crew list with roles and contacts
- Insurance (liability, equipment)
- Filming schedule / call sheets
- Proof of affiliation or employment, especially for foreign crew
For sensitive locations (archaeological sites, heritage zones), additional clearances from the Ministry of Culture or historic preservation authorities are needed. Hellenic Film Commission+1
Timings
Local clearances / liaison often take several working days to a few weeks, depending on municipality and complexity. For shoots in heritage / archaeological sites, additional review (e.g. by archaeological councils) may extend processing times
Cost
Basic permits may carry moderate fees, but costs escalate for special sites (museums, monuments, UNESCO sites). Some cultural authorities require script reviews, special insurance, and oversight costs.
General Film Permit
Organisation Issuing Permits
- The Ministry of Culture & Sports handles filming permits for monuments, archaeological sites, museums, heritage locations.
- The Hellenic Film Commission / Greek Film Centre / EKOME (now part of Creative Greece) plays a role in facilitating permits, guidelines, and incentives.
- For public spaces and municipal realms, local municipal / city offices often manage permits for streets, parks, public squares.
Timings
Permit processing for locations under heritage/cultural jurisdiction may take 1–4+ weeks depending on site sensitivity. For ordinary public spaces, turnaround may be faster, especially with local liaison.
Required Information / Documentation
To apply for a film / location permit, you generally must submit:
- Shooting schedule / call sheets
- Location plans / maps / site layouts
- Script excerpts or scene descriptions (particularly for cultural / heritage sites)
- Proof of liability insurance
- Risk / safety / traffic plans
- Special certificates (e.g. “absence of violence, racism or sexism” for filming monuments) as required by Greek law in certain cases Hellenic Film Commission
- Permit forms via the Ministry of Culture or local heritage authority
Cost
Permits at archaeological or heritage sites often incur higher fees. Municipal permits / public space costs depend on location, size of shoot, duration, disruption. Additional costs may include “supervision fees” by conservation staff or archaeological authorities
Private Film Locations
General Process
- A local fixer or Greek production services company handles:
- Scouting private properties
- Negotiating with owners
- Securing local permissions
- Liaising with municipal and cultural authorities
Cost is variable depending on exclusivity, infrastructure, duration, and location.
Drone Permits in Greece
- For drone operations over sensitive or protected areas, heritage sites, or controlled airspace, special permission from relevant authorities is needed. Κινηματογραφικός Τουρισμός+2Hellenic Film Commission+2
- Drone importation or bringing your own equipment must be declared at customs.
- Ensure compliance with Greek aviation / UAV regulations (local authority / civil aviation).
Equipment Customs Clearance
- If bringing equipment into Greece, you may use ATA Carnet or equivalent temporary import mechanism
- Declare gear at customs, submit invoices, packing lists, Carnet documents
- Customs processing time is typically a few hours barring complications
Film Rebates & Tax Incentives in Greece
Greece offers a generous incentive scheme combining a 40% cash rebate and 30% tax credit under the “Cash Rebate Greece (CRGR)” program (law 5105/2024). Film Incentive+6Hellenic Film Commission+6ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ+6
Key Features & Rates
- Cash Rebate: 40% return of eligible production costs incurred in Greece (up to 80% of total production cost). ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ+2Athens Film Office+2
- Maximum rebate per project: €8,000,000 Hellenic Film Commission+3ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ+3Screen Global Production+3
- Eligible production types: feature films, TV series, documentaries, animation, short films, digital games (where eligible) Screen Global Production+4Hellenic Film Commission+4ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ+4
- Minimum eligible spend in Greece:
- Feature / theatrical: €200,000 ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ+2Screen Global Production+2
- Documentaries: €60,000 ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ+2Fixers in Greece+2
- Short films: €45,000 ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ+1
- TV series: €35,000 per episode (with special conditions for large series) Fixers in Greece+3ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ+3Athens Film Office+3
- Tax Credit: 30% deduction from net taxable income on eligible expenses; can be combined with the cash rebate (subject to rules) Fixers in Greece+1
- Application must be submitted at least 10 days before the start of production / post-production in Greece. Fixers in Greece+4ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ+4Fixers in Greece+4
- Rebate payment is made within 6 months after completion of production, after audit and final cost reporting. Fixers in Greece+3ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ+3Fixers in Greece+3
- Projects must pass a cultural test (fiction/documentary must score ≥ 20/50; animation ≥ 16/40) Screen Global Production+3Athens Film Office+3ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ+3
- Eligible expenses include above-the-line and below-the-line costs: crew wages, equipment rental, travel, accommodation, post-production, subcontractor services, insurance, etc. ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ+2Fixers in Greece+2
- Ineligible expenses: fixed assets, depreciation, marketing/advertising, financing costs, and some royalty / rights expenses beyond limits. ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ+1
- The rebate cannot exceed the project limit, and state aid ceilings apply (e.g. 50% (domestic) or 60% (cross-border) overall state funding) Fixers in Greece+3Athens Film Office+3ΕΚΚΟΜΕΔ+3
Safety & Security
- Greece is generally safe; crews should arrange local security, especially in public areas, remote locations, or night shoots.
- For sensitive / heritage sites, archaeological oversight or conservation staff may require presence or supervision.
- Risk assessments, liability insurance, and local coordination with police / municipal services are essential.
External Links & References
https://filmcommission.gr/cash-rebate/
https://filmcommission.gr/permits-guidelines/
https://www.filmgreece.com/film-production-incentives-greece
https://www.fixersingreece.gr/filming-in-greece/tax-incentives/
https://iskitori.gr/filming-in-greece/
https://www.ekkomed.gr/audiovisual-production-invest/cash-rebate-film-tv-animations-documentaries/
https://www.fixersingreece.gr/blog/posts/40-percent-cash-rebate-greece/
https://www.screenglobalproduction.com/country/greece/guide/incentives
https://athensfilmoffice.com/incentives/