Tax Incentives & Grants - Romania

Romania has established itself as a compelling destination for film and television productions, offering a combination of financial incentives, skilled professionals, and diverse filming locations.

Romania's combination of financial incentives, diverse locations, skilled professionals, and modern infrastructure makes it an increasingly attractive destination for film and television productions. The government's commitment to supporting the industry is evident through recent initiatives aimed at enhancing the country's appeal to international filmmakers.Here's an expanded overview of the key aspects of Romania's film production landscape:

  • Romania's primary financial incentive for filmmakers is its Cash Rebate Program, designed to attract both domestic and international productions.

    Key Features

    • Rebate Percentage: Offers a rebate of up to 30% on eligible Romanian production expenses.

    • Additional Bonus: An extra 10% rebate is available for projects that explicitly promote Romania, its regions, cities, or landmarks, potentially increasing the total rebate to 40%.

    • Minimum Expenditure: Projects must have a minimum spend of €100,000 in Romania to qualify.

    • Project Cap: The maximum rebate per project is capped at €10 million.

    • Annual Cap: The program has an annual budget cap of €50 million, with funds allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

    • Eligible Productions: Includes feature films, TV series, documentaries, animation projects, and short films.

    • Cultural Test: Projects must pass a cultural test to ensure they contribute to Romanian or European culture.

    • Local Production Company Requirement: Foreign producers are required to collaborate with a Romanian production company to access the rebate.

    Application Process

    • Submission: Applications are submitted to the Romanian Film Promotion office.

    • Approval: Rebates are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the availability of funds.

    • Disbursement: The rebate is typically disbursed after the completion of production and a thorough audit of expenses.

    • Relaunch of the Cash Rebate Scheme: In 2024, Romania relaunched its cash rebate program with the aim of becoming the most attractive production destination in Eastern Europe. The program now offers a 30% rebate, with plans to bring direct investments of over €380 million between 2024 and 2026.

    • Establishment of the Office for Film and Cultural Investments: In July 2024, the Romanian government launched the Office for Film and Cultural Investments to encourage studios to produce films in the country. This initiative aims to streamline the process for international productions and provide support throughout the production cycle.

    • Cultural Test: Projects must meet specific cultural criteria to qualify for the rebate, ensuring they contribute to the cultural landscape of Romania or Europe.

    • Local Collaboration: International productions are required to partner with a Romanian production company, facilitating smoother operations and compliance with local regulations.

    • Funding Availability: Given the annual cap of €50 million, early application is advisable to secure funding.