The initiative will allocate around €17 million annually to attract international shoots and retain larger-scale domestic productions

Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmid (centre) making the announcement (© Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix)

Denmark is set to usher in a new era for film and television production with the introduction of a long-anticipated production rebate scheme, due to take effect in 2026. Backed by the Danish government and several political parties, the initiative aims to transform the country from a popular backdrop into a vibrant cultural production hub.

The scheme will allocate DKK 125 million (approximately €17 million) annually to attract international projects and retain larger-scale domestic productions. Of this amount, DKK 100 million (€13.4 million) will support live-action films, drama series and documentaries, while DKK 25 million (€3.35 million) will be reserved for animation – a sector in which Denmark has already built a strong reputation.

Eligible productions will be able to claim a 25% rebate on costs incurred within Denmark, subject to specific financial and cultural criteria. Minimum total budget thresholds include DKK 25 million (€3.35 million) for fiction features, DKK 4 million (€535,000) for documentaries, DKK 150,000 (€20,000) per minute (and a minimum of DKK 15 million, or €2 million) for drama series, and DKK 6.5 million (€870,000) for animation. To qualify, productions must also meet local spend thresholds of DKK 3 million (€400,000) for film, series and animation, and DKK 1 million (€135,000) for documentaries.

To prevent a small number of high-budget projects from monopolising the scheme, support will be capped at DKK 20 million (€2.68 million) per project.

Applications will be evaluated during two annual calls based on a points-based production and culture test. This objective assessment will favour productions with a strong Danish cultural component, extensive shooting days in Denmark, use of local cast and crew, and high domestic expenditure. Separate criteria will be applied to live-action, animation and documentary projects to ensure fair evaluation.

Applicants must demonstrate financial stability, with at least 70% of their overall budget confirmed at the time of application and a minimum of 25% of the financing sourced internationally. Additionally, the lead producer must have a proven track record in delivering widely distributed content across film, TV or animation formats.

The programme will be administered by the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces (Slots- og Kulturstyrelsen), whilst the Danish Film Institute will promote the scheme internationally. Its launch remains contingent on compliance with the EU’s state aid regulations, particularly those outlined in the Block Exemption Regulation.