Greece

Location: Southeast Europe

Broadcast Regulators

National Council for Radio & Television (NCRTV)

Currencies

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Q. Are there any requirements, when sending EUR?

A. Just your details, the beneficiary details and the purpose of the payment.

Q. Can I send inbound and outbound payments?
A. Yes, there are no restrictions on sending money into or outside of countries using the Euro.

Q. How much can I send?
A. As much as you want.

Q. How long will it take for my funds to be received?
A. Standard international payment time. However, with the right foreign exchange broker, this can be done as fast as the same day.

Q. Who can I send EUR to?
A. Both individuals and businesses can receive funds for countries sending with the Euro.

Q. Is sending EUR expensive?
A. Not if you use the right currency broker, who will be able to offer you bank-beating exchange rates and significantly lower payment charges.

Q. Can you use forward contracts with EUR?
A. Yes. With the right currency broker, you can book a EUR exchange rate forward, protecting you against any adverse currency movements. With these contracts, you will always know exactly what is coming out of your bank account.

Information courtesy of Currencies Direct.

Film Commissions

Athens Film Office (AFO)

Epirus Film Office

Film Office Central Macedonia

Film Office Ionian Islands

Hellenic Film Commission (HFC)

Thessaloniki Film Commission

Western Greece Film Office

Western Macedonia Film Office

European Film Commissions Network (a non-profit association, which supports and promotes the European film industry and culture)

Visas & Permits

Visas & Work Permits

Greece is a member of the Schengen area.

UK passport holders can enter Greece visa-free for stays of up to 90 days, over a 180 day period, for some business-related activities (such as attending business meetings). However, for longer stays or other types of work, a visa or permit may be required.

Further information on work visas can be found at the GOV.UK website. Alternatively, please contact a local embassy, consulate or representative for more information. There are also specialist companies that provide visa and immigration support to the media industry, and may be able to assist.

Film Location Permits

Filming archaeological sites requires special permission from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture & Sport. Permission is subject to availability, and the script not being offensive to the monuments and their authenticity.

Permission to film the New Acropolis Museum requires a very detailed application and strict criteria to be met.

There are no citywide permits for Athens, even for smaller shoots that don’t require exclusive use of public space. Each Athens location must be permitted individually.

Aerial shots, underwater filming and shoots that require public space closures require additional permits.

Customs

For productions looking to bring in film equipment, Greece is an ATA carnet country.

When to Film

When to Film

Greece has a wide range of microclimates and local variations.

Generally speaking, Greece has a typical Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures and little rainfall, with an average of 250 sunny days each year. Winter is from February to March and sees short, heavy showers. The mountains in the north get snowfall and the islands in the south experience a mild winter. April to October are hot, with heat waves common in July and August, especially in Athens. The height of the summer has 14 hours of daylight.

Greece is a predominately Greek Orthodox Christian country, so those holidays are observed.

Public Holidays

Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Greece.

Costs & VAT

Greece is considered to be a relatively expensive place to shoot, however there are ways to film low budget projects, particularly if the projects are small and shoot outside of the centre of Athens.

Filming on the islands adds to travel costs, as most gear and crew needs to be brought in.

The standard VAT rate in Greece, at the time of writing, is set at 24%.