Hungary’s government said on Thursday that it has lifted a pause on applications to the country’s 30% production tax incentive scheme introduced last year under Viktor Orbán’s government.
“Today, we have opened a new chapter in our cooperation with the film industry by lifting the blockage on the tax incentive system that ensures the smooth and predictable operation of the Hungarian film industry,” Ervin Nagy, the country’s culture minister, said in a statement.
Originally launched in 2004, Hungary’s film incentive was one of the first in Central Europe. Since then, Hungary has become a popular shooting location for Hollywood productions thanks to its generous incentive program and experienced production crews. The incentive offers film and series projects produced in Hungary a 30% rebate based on their expenditure spent in the country. The scheme is part of the country’s film support program. The financial support is provided as a cash refund post-financing.
Recent international productions filmed in Hungary include Alien: Romulus, The Brutalist, Dune: Prophecy, NBC’s The Day of the Jackal, Pablo Larrain’s Maria, Dune, NCIS, Blade Runner 2049 and the Now You See Me series.
The incentive was set to expire at the end of 2024 and was extended for an extra six years. The current structure will run until 2030. The pause on applications was introduced last year by Orbán’s outgoing far-right government. Orbán was ousted earlier this year, and the current administration, led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, is clearing the country’s high offices of Orbán’s influence. Earlier today, Hungary’s government said it had sent a report to police about the suspected misuse of public funds by the Orban administration.
Nagy added in his statement: “We are proud that Hungary’s diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage inspire global filmmakers, serving as the perfect backdrop for their stories. Beyond that, we are a nation of filmmakers ourselves. This craft is deeply rooted in our cultural tradition, and the powerful symbiosis between our incredible local creators and a robust industry truly sets us apart in the global marketplace. Let the adventures continue.”
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