Greece Considered Too Expensive For Shooting Films

Oia, Santorini. Photo © Region of South Aegean

The Greek Tourism Ministry recently announced its intention to get Greece into more films to receive further promotion abroad and attract more visitors.

However, according to reports, the high value added tax (VAT), the cost of filming at an archaeological site and all the red tape and paperwork involved, are the main reasons why major Hollywood productions are being filmed elsewhere.

The cost to make a film in Greece includes 1,600 euros per day for filming at archaeological sites and museums and 800 euros per day for aerial or underwater filming.

Reports also said that the “incredible bureaucracy” involved to film in Greece is reason enough for producers to select other destinations.

Among filmmakers and Hollywood actors that have expressed their interest to participate in movies filmed in Greece are Richard Linklater, Costas Gavras, Jeremy Irons, Ethan Hawke, Daniel Day Lewis and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Greek filmmaker Yiannis Smaragdis told the press that while trying to film “El Greco” he encountered many difficulties and almost switched the film’s location to Spain where he could shoot for free. ” But I love my country and ran around for six months from office to office,” he stressed.

The reports mentioned that the Greek ministries involved in the matter are considering to make changes that will make Greece more attractive for foreign blockbusters to be filmed there.