Filming in Bulgaria: A Complete Guide to Incentives, Permits & Production Support

Quick Answer

Bulgaria offers international filmmakers a 25% cash rebate on qualifying local production expenditure, administered by the Bulgarian National Film Center (NFC). The rebate applies to feature films, TV series, documentaries, and animation, and is paired with competitive production costs, EU/Schengen access, diverse locations, and an established production infrastructure. The scheme’s per-project cap was raised in 2026 from €1 million to €5 million, with a total annual programme budget of roughly €10.3 million — a meaningful upgrade productions should factor in if they last checked Bulgaria’s terms before 2026.

Note: Bulgaria’s rebate cap and annual budget were increased in 2026 — always confirm current terms with the National Film Center before finalizing a production budget, since these figures are revised periodically.

Bulgaria’s Film Incentive Program

Bulgaria introduced its cash rebate scheme in 2022 and has steadily expanded it since. As of 2026, the scheme offers:

• Rebate rate: 25% of eligible local production expenditure
• Rebate cap: €5 million per project (raised from €1 million)
• Annual programme budget: approximately €10.3 million
• Eligible production types:
  • Feature films over 70 minutes
  • Documentaries over 60 minutes, or documentary series with episodes of at least 40 minutes
  • Animated films or series with a total running time over 24 minutes
  • Films or series intended for TV broadcast or streaming platforms, over 70 minutes (features) or with episodes of at least 40 minutes (series)

Minimum spend requirements (tiered by production type, not a flat figure):

• Feature films: €250,000
• Television films: €150,000
• Each TV episode: €100,000
• Documentary films, animated films/series, and post-production-only applications: €60,000

Cultural test: projects must pass a qualifying cultural test assessing the production’s connection to Bulgarian or European culture, heritage, and territory — this runs alongside the minimum spend requirement, not instead of it.

Who can apply: a producer, co-producer, or service company registered in Bulgaria, the EU, Switzerland, the EEA, or a qualifying third country. Foreign applicants generally need at least two years of prior registration as a film company before applying.

Eligible expenditures:

• Crew salaries (local and international personnel)
• Equipment rentals (cameras, lighting, sound, and other production tools)
• Location fees
• Post-production costs (editing, VFX, sound design) completed in Bulgaria
• Certain accommodation and domestic travel expenses

Application process:

1. Register your company with the National Film Center (NFC) as a Producer, Co-Producer, or Service Company
2. Submit the Application and Qualification Test (cultural test) — all documents, including the script, must be submitted in Bulgarian
3. NFC’s committee reviews the application (roughly a month) to confirm the cultural criteria are met
4. Approved projects are published on the NFC’s list; you then have up to 12 months to apply for the rebate amount itself
5. After wrapping, submit an audited financial report to NFC
6. NFC issues a certificate confirming the final rebate amount within about 14 days of receiving the audited report

Important: productions that start work in Bulgaria before submitting their first NFC application are not eligible for the rebate — the application needs to come first, not after the fact.

Filming Permits

Bulgaria offers a relatively straightforward permitting process, though local coordination matters:

Application submission: a detailed request outlining the production plan, shooting locations, crew details, and shooting schedule — applications are generally submitted in Bulgarian, so working with a local fixer or production company is standard practice.

Required documentation: insurance certificates, risk assessments, and a detailed shooting schedule.

Approval timeline: typically a few weeks, though larger or more complex productions may need additional time. Some sources cite approval in as little as two weeks for straightforward permits — build in extra lead time for larger shoots.

Special permissions: required for filming in protected areas, government-owned properties, or with drones. A separate filming tax is also payable to the National Film Center, with rates varying depending on production type and location.

Visa Requirements

Bulgaria is an EU member state and part of the Schengen Area for air and sea travel.

• EU/EEA/Swiss nationals: no visa or work permit required
• Non-EU nationals — short stays: visa-free entry for up to 90 days within a 180-day period is available for many nationalities under the standard Schengen rules, but paid film work still requires proper work authorization, not just tourist entry
• Non-EU nationals — longer or paid production work: generally requires a Type D long-stay visa plus a work permit, arranged through a Bulgarian employer or production partner

Visa types:

• Type A (Airport Transit Visa): for travelers transiting through Bulgaria
• Type C (Short-Stay Visa): for stays up to 90 days for tourism, business, or filming purposes
• Type D (Long-Stay Visa): for stays longer than 90 days, relevant for extended shoots

• Documents required: valid passport (valid for at least 3–6 months beyond intended departure, depending on source), travel insurance, proof of accommodation, and documentation of travel purpose
• Processing time: roughly 5–10 working days once submitted, though it’s recommended to apply 4–6 weeks before travel to account for scheduling and documentation gathering
• Cost: approximately €90 for a standard Schengen visa application

Drone Filming Regulations

Bulgaria is part of the EU and follows EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) drone rules, enforced locally by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation Administration (DG CAA).

• Registration: mandatory for drones over 250g or any drone equipped with a camera or other data-collecting sensor
• Categories: Open (lower-risk, no prior authorization for compliant operations), Specific (requires DG CAA authorization — this covers most professional filming), and Certified (high-risk operations)
• Restricted areas: national parks (Rila, Pirin, Central Balkan), nature parks, and nature reserves all require park authority permission; flights are prohibited or heavily restricted near airports, military facilities, and government buildings, including specific restrictions around sites like Rila Monastery
• Penalties: fines ranging from roughly BGN 1,000–10,000 (~€500–5,100) for violations, with criminal prosecution possible for severe cases under 2025 amendments
• Import: bringing a drone through Bulgarian customs is generally straightforward; carry registration documents and certificates in both digital and printed form

For professional/commercial filming, plan for DG CAA authorization under the Specific category well ahead of the shoot, since this isn’t a same-day approval process.

Equipment Customs Clearance

Bulgaria is an ATA Carnet country, which simplifies temporary equipment import for productions coming from outside the EU.

• With an ATA Carnet: import duties and VAT generally do not apply
• Without a Carnet: temporary import VAT of around 20% and customs fees may apply instead
• For EU-based productions: equipment generally moves freely within the EU without needing a Carnet at all, given Bulgaria’s EU membership

Productions coming from outside the EU should secure an ATA Carnet in their home country before shipping equipment, since the cost difference between Carnet and non-Carnet clearance can be significant.

Safety & Security

Bulgaria is considered one of the safer countries in Europe for international productions:

• Low crime rate, contributing to a secure environment for cast and crew
• Stable political climate, reducing the risk of production disruption
• Well-developed infrastructure — reliable transportation, healthcare, and emergency response systems
• Road safety note: roads outside major cities can be inconsistent for visitors unfamiliar with them; a local driver is commonly recommended for location shoots

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Official & Reference Links

• Bulgarian National Film Center (NFC)
• Filmcenter.bg — Bulgaria’s international production platform
• Directorate General of Civil Aviation Administration (DG CAA) — drone geo-zone map

How Atlas Film Fixers Can Assist

Navigating Bulgaria’s film rebate program and production logistics can be complex. Atlas Film Fixers is here to help streamline the process and maximize the potential benefits for your production:

• Rebate Optimization — ensuring your production meets NFC’s cultural test and documentation requirements to receive the maximum possible rebate
• Permit Procurement — handling Bulgarian-language paperwork and ensuring your production has the required permits and clearances
• Location Scouting — identifying the best filming locations in Bulgaria, from urban environments to rural landscapes
• Logistics & Compliance — managing travel, accommodation, visas, and compliance with local regulations
• Local Partnerships — connecting productions with top-tier local talent, equipment providers, and vendors

With our expertise and local knowledge, Atlas Film Fixers ensures your production is in safe hands and takes full advantage of Bulgaria’s rebate program. For expert assistance and to learn more about maximizing Bulgaria’s film incentives, contact Atlas Film Fixers today.

Figures in this guide (rebate cap, minimum spend thresholds, visa costs) reflect the most current publicly available information as of mid-2026, but Bulgaria’s rebate terms have been revised more than once and can change again. Always confirm current terms directly with the National Film Center or a local production services partner before finalizing a production budget. This guide is for informational purposes and isn’t a substitute for official government guidance or legal/immigration advice.