Up to 35% REIMBURSEMENT, STUNNING NATURE AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

With up to 35% refund on production costs, a stunning variety of locations within reach from each other and highly experienced film crews, filming in Iceland offers a unique opportunity for all filmmakers.

Save more than a quarter of production costs

Iceland offers reimbursement of up to 35% of the costs incurred during the production of films and television programs in Iceland. Based on a special legislation, the reimbursement scheme is simple, transparent and effective. Production costs refer to all costs incurred in Iceland deductible from the revenues of enterprises pursuant to the provisions of the Act on Income Tax.

25% rebate incentive

All productions for feature films, TV shows and documentaries in Iceland are eligible for a 25% refund, no matter the total cost of the project.

35% rebate incentive

Productions for feature films, TV shows and documentaries can raise their rebate to 35% if the production in Iceland fulfils these three requirements:

1. Production costs incurred in the production of the motion picture or television material concerned in this country must be a minimum of ISK 350 million.
2. The project in question must have a minimum of 30 working days in Iceland, either consisting of actual film production (shooting) days or defined post-production working days. Of the 30 working days, a minimum of 10 shooting days in Iceland is however always required.
3. The number of staff working directly on the project shall be 50 at a minimum and this work shall amount to 50 working days. It is a requirement that both salary and payments to employees and contractors, shall be taxed in Iceland.

Payments pertaining to employees and contractors are only to be included in production costs if they are verifiably taxable in Iceland. When more than 80% of the total production costs of a motion picture or television program are incurred in Iceland, the reimbursement is calculated based on the total production cost incurred within the European Economic Area (EEA). The reimbursement scheme does not include the production of commercials or music videos.

It is highly recommended to work with an Icelandic production service company as they have expertise in ensuring the refund for productions in Iceland.

APPLICATION

Applying for reimbursement is a straightforward procedure. Applications are submitted online to the Icelandic Film Centre and must be submitted before production begins.

How to apply

Variety of stunning scenery

Black sands, glaciers and snow-capped mountains, lava fields, waterfalls, lakes and lagoons with floating icebergs, the stark highland interior, tundra, moors patched with blue ponds, steamemitting, red and yellow sulphur mountains, scenes of serene beauty. For film producers, the best part is that the varied sceneries are not far apart and easily accessible.

A short drive can take film crews from black beaches, through lush greenery and colourful towns, into barren highlands or towards glacial tongues and majestic mountains. This nature has represented anything from the Himalayas and the US Midwest to mythical worlds and distant planets.

Apart from the unique landscapes, the light in Iceland is the first thing you'll notice as from mid-May to mid-August, the sun only sets for around 3 hours and there is effective light for 24 hours during this period.

Finally, Iceland is closer than you think: from New York, the flying distance to Iceland and San Fransisco is the same for example. There are daily direct flights to Iceland from major gateways in Europe (2,5-3 hours) and North America (5-6 hours).

ICELAND AND EUROPEAN COOPERATION

European content classification

European content classification. Since Iceland is a member of the European Economic Area, films and television programmes made in Iceland receive European content status. This entitles Icelandic productions to be classified as European material when released in Europe, without affecting any quotas on the release of non-European content material there.

The media program of the European Union

Through Iceland's membership of the European Economic Area, films and television programmes made in Iceland can receive grants for the development and distribution and promotion of Icelandic projects and for the training of professionals offered by the MEDIA Program of the European Union.

Eurimages

Iceland is a member of Eurimages, the Film Fund of the European Council which is based on the European Convention on Cinematographic co-production. Thus Icelandic producers can apply for production grants for European co-productions.