A Filmmaker’s Guide
to Shooting in Latvia
Our company works with local professionals to make sure you
are getting the right help throughout media production.
Permits in Latvia: What You Need to Know
Many types of videos are made in Latvia, but if your video production lasts for more than five days or requires any kind of road closures or other public life disruptions, then you will need an authorised film permit. These are issued by municipal authorities and local bodies, but it’ll be the local film fixer you’re partnering with who’ll apply for them on your behalf. The paperwork is quite lengthy and includes a detailed synopsis, a full shooting schedule, cast and crew information, an equipment list, and all other pertinent details.
Depending on the scope of the production, getting the permit go-ahead can take between 2 and 4 weeks and cost anywhere between 300 and 3000 EUR.
Timing Your Latvia Film Production around the Weather
If you’re wondering when is the best time to film in Latvia, the truth is that having four starkly contrasting seasons gives every kind of background you could want for your video. Hot summer days? Absolutely! Snowy winter nights (and plummeting temperatures)? Check! Autumnal fog in the capital city of Riga and other coastal towns? You bet!
Of course, when filming outdoors, you might end up being caught in the rain,no matter what the season. That’s because Riga and the eastern part of this small country situated on the Baltic Sea. So, be prepared and make sure your crew and equipment have adequate rain protection.
Planning Filming Equipment Rental & Local Crew Logistics
Filmmakers on a tight budget will be glad to hear that film equipment rentals in Latvia are comparable to prices in other Baltic states, and therefore relatively inexpensive. If you’re planning a small, fast production, then renting locally makes sense. However, bigger or more complex productions may find that some of the equipment they need just isn’t available — Latvia is a small country after all! It’s a good idea to send your equipment list early to your local production partner, so that they can check what gear may need to be imported.
One thing you won’t need to worry about, though, is whether you’ll be able to organise a crew of skilled, English-speaking film professionals. You will! There’s a large pool of bilingual and multilingual talent in the country, and once again, you’ll find fees to be on the competitive side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it an ATA carnet country?
Yes.
Is it safe for me and my team to film there?
Yes.
Do I need a visa or a work visa to film there?
No, but we recommend that you obtain a regular Tourist Schengen visa. This will give you the permission to stay in the country for up to 90 days, whether your trip is for pleasure or business purposes.
Do I need a local company to film or get visas there?
You’ll need a local production support company to manage your permit applications for you, but otherwise you don’t have to work with a local company.
Do I need a permit for drones?
Yes. Latvia is part of EASA, and getting the applicable permits is part of the rules that must be followed.
Is there a cash rebate/tax exemption or any other fiscal advantage?
Yes, Latvia offers a 20% cash rebate on all production spending that happens within the country. The amount of money spent that qualifies you is €140,000 or more.
Can I shoot in a national park and, if so, under what circumstances?
Yes, you can, as long as you have the right permits. The cost of these permits will differ depending on which national park you’re filming in.
Working with Fixer Latvia
Our project portfolio includes video productions of every kind. We’ve worked with filmmakers, corporate businesses and major entertainment platforms on marketing projects, news items, documentaries, web series, TV shows and both independent and big-budget films. We’ve provided production services for Norway’s popular travel show, Oppdrag Europa, UNESCO, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Fendt Caravan and many more. As a member of Storytailors, the respected global network for production support, we’ve also handled the Latvia end on several inter-country productions.
If you’d like to find out more about how we can work together, please email me and let’s get started!