By Variety | Created at 2024-11-25 15:50:23 | Updated at 2024-11-25 18:45:21
3 hours ago
Denmark has approved the launch of a tax incentive to lure international TV and films, joining the ranks of all other Nordic countries which each have a rebate program.
Denmark has been lagging behind other European countries such as France, Germany and Czech Republic due to its lack of tax incentive. In spite of its vibrant creative community and home to many critically acclaimed directors such as Susanne Bier, Lars van Trier, Nicolas Winding Refn and Thomas Vinterberg, Denmark is currently the only country in Europe, along with Luxembourg, to not have a rebate program in place.
The Danish incentive, which will kick off in 2026, will tap into an annual envelop of DKK 125 million ($17.5 million) — twice the amount allocated to foreign productions in Sweden and significantly larger than in Norway. The rebate on eligible expenses is expected to be 25%.
The new head of the Danish producers association, Anna Porse Nielsen, told Variety that the percentage rate and other parameters will be decided on before the end of the year. The incentive will kick off no sooner than 2026 because the budget for 2025 has already been voted.
Nielsen said the new incentive has been supported by many creatives and industry figures, including local talent such as “Borgen” star Birgitte Hjort Sørensen.
“We have such a qualified industry in Denmark, with world-acclaimed directors, actors and producers and crews who have been trained to work at the high standards, so it’s about time we get an incentive to attract international productions,” said Nielsen. The executive added that it took this long for the country to approve this initiative because “the Danish politicians has traditionally been reluctant to support specific industries; but since Denmark is now the last country without an incentive scheme it has become a matter of competitiveness and the industry in Denmark is grateful for finally getting political support.”
Denmark’s minister of culture Jakob Engel-Schmidt said in a statement that the country “has a huge strategic interest in paving the way for strong film and TV productions.”
“I think it’s crazy that a series like ‘Miss Smilla’s Feeling for Snow’, which takes place in Greenland and Denmark, has been filmed in Latvia, Lithuania and Iceland, all of which have production rebates. It’s a waste of jobs, Danish storytelling tradition and exposure of our fantastic kingdom,” said Jakob Engel-Schmidt.
“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?”
Morten Dahlin, the minister for urban and rural affairs, said “Film and TV productions help to showcase Denmark abroad, so that we can attract tourism and income to the entire country to an even greater extent.”
Netflix currently has 16 planned productions in Sweden, six in Norway for 2024-2026, while only three are planned in Denmark.
