Incentives

Committed to boosting this highly promising sector, the government of the Republic of Cyprus introduced a package of incentives encouraging international producers to choose Cyprus as their next film destination. In specific, production companies that opt to film in Cyprus will be able to choose between cash rebate or tax credit and can also benefit from tax discounts on investments made on equipment and infrastructure, and VAT returns on expenditure in scope.

Qualifying production categories include, amongst others, feature Films (including animation), television Series or mini-series, documentaries for Theatrical or Television release, animation (digital or analogue), television research programs and natural history.

Download the brochure and scheme to find out more

Scheme

English Ελληνικά

Brochure

English
Cash Rebate
  • Rebate of up to 45% of eligible expenditures incurred in Cyprus will be granted, where the amount will depend on the score of the production at the cultural test.
  • The rebate will be given once filming is completed, on receipt of the audit report and its review by the committee.
View submitted applications
Tax Credit
  • As an alternative to cash rebate, tax credit, offers a reduction of the corporate tax liability of the company responsible for the implementation of a production, with the same criteria that apply for cash rebate.
  • The sum of the tax credit against the taxable income shall not exceed 50% of the Applicants’ taxable income for the tax year within which the production is made.
  • The tax credit, to the extent that it is not granted due to the above percentage restriction, shall be carried forward and be given within the next five years, subject to the above percentage restriction.
Tax Discount for Investment in Infrastructure and Equipment
  • Any small and medium-sized enterprise subject to a tax liability in Cyprus investing in cinematographic infrastructure and technological equipment will be entitled to deduct the amount of its investment from its taxable income.
  • The aid may not exceed 20% of the qualifying production expenditures in the case of small enterprises and 10% of the qualifying production expenditures in the case of medium-sized enterprises.
  • Investment in the case of equipment should remain in the territory of Cyprus for a period of at least 5 years.
VAT refund on qualifying production expenditures
  • For qualifying production expenditures incurred in Cyprus by natural or legal persons from third countries and which are related to the implementation of productions, the company is entitled to a refund of VAT.
  • Value Added Tax rates in the Republic of Cyprus are 19%, 9% and 5% on all products and services provided in the Republic of Cyprus and 19% and 5%, on all taxable imports.
  • VAT returns arise within 6 months with respect to the legal person which carries out the foreign filming in Cyprus from the end of the last deadline for submitting the VAT declaration for the specific VAT period during which the expense occurred or from the date on which the application for VAT return is filed.

The Cyprus Film Commission

Invest Cyprus Ministry of Finance Ministry of Education and Culture Cyprus Tourist Organisation

The Cyprus Film Commission, chaired by Invest Cyprus is the responsible body for the examination of applications. The Commission consists, of the following Ministries and Organisations:

  • Invest Cyprus
  • Ministry of Finance
  • Ministry of Education and Culture
  • Deputy Ministry of Tourism

The Commission assesses proposals by producers for aid based on the economic and cultural benefits for the Republic of Cyprus.

Invest Cyprus, as the national body responsible for attracting and facilitating foreign direct investment into Cyprus, will be the first point of contact for all interested parties, providing them with all kinds of support and information required.