Denmark Hopes To Attract Foreign TV & Films Shoots With $17.5M Production Rebate

Denmark has long trailed its Nordic neighbors in attracting foreign shoots to its shores, but that might be about to change.

The country’s government is to introduce a production rebate scheme worth 125M krone ($17.5M) to overseas productions. Expected to launch in 2026, the hope is it will be put Denmark in the frame for more film and TV shoots that the likes of Sweden, Iceland or Norway might otherwise snag and turn the European country into a “production powerhouse.”

The Danish government noted that the Swedish scheme amounts to about half of the new offer, with the Norwegian scheme “also far smaller.”

The actual shape of the scheme is yet to be determined, but Minister of Culture Jakob Engel-Schmidt will begin a dialog with industry leaders to create the system. What is known is productions shot in Denmark will have some costs incurred during production reimbursed.

“Denmark has a huge strategic interest in laying the groundwork for strong film and TV productions,” said Engel-Schmidt. “It’s crazy that a series like Miss Smilla’s Sense of Snow, which takes place in Greenland and Denmark, has been filmed in Latvia, Lithuania and Iceland, all of which have production discounts. It’s a waste of jobs, Danish storytelling tradition and exposure of our fantastic kingdom.

Engel-Schmidt’s team noted that Netflix has previously stated it has 16 planned productions in Sweden, six in Norway and only three in Denmark during the 2024-26 period.

“That’s why I’m proud that we are now taking a big step towards making Denmark a European powerhouse for film and TV productions. And who knows, maybe the next version of the hit series Emily in Paris will involve the main character moving to Copenhagen?”

Minister of Cities and Rural Districts Morten Dahlin added that film and TV productions “help showcase Denmark abroad,” and would attract tourism and revenue from abroad. “It is therefore enormously good news for both Danish film and TV production and for Danish tourism that we can now introduce a discount on productions shot in Denmark,” he added.

The Danish government noted the cultural contribution levy on international streamers is expected to generate 98M krone next year, and that extraordinary film support has been dished out this year to the tune of 40M krone.

Production rebates already exist in all other European countries (except Luxembourg), meaning this relief system is well overdue in Denmark, which is known for creating the Nordic noir genre and shows such as The Killing, Nordland ’99 and The Bridge.

“I am very pleased that Denmark will now become a more attractive country for production of films and series, said Anna Porse Nielsen, Director of Denmark’s Producers Association.