Why Portugal and Spain Are the New Power Duo in European Film Production
Portugal: A Rising Power in European Co-Productions
According to data recently presented by the Portugal Film Commission at the 2025 edition of Conecta Fiction in Cuenca, Spain, France currently leads the list of Portugal’s co-production partners—just ahead of Spain, Brazil, Poland, Italy, and Mexico. This shows the growing strength of Portugal’s international collaborations, supported by generous state-backed incentives.
Portugal’s PIC (Portugal Incentive for Cinema) program remains one of Europe’s most filmmaker-friendly rebate schemes. For 2025, PIC Portugal has secured €14 million for its cash rebate and scouting program, alongside €20 million for its cash refund scheme, financed through the state budget. These incentives are designed not only to attract international productions but also to make the production journey efficient and cost-effective.
What You Need to Know About Portugal’s Incentives
Portugal offers a cash rebate of 25–30% on eligible in-country expenditures, and up to 40% for projects shooting in the Azores, Madeira, or other low-density regions—ideal for productions looking for dramatic, under-explored backdrops. To qualify, productions must spend a minimum of €500,000 for fiction and animation, or €200,000 for documentaries and post-production. The support ceiling per project is €1.5 million.
A major asset for international producers is the scouting support program, which reimburses up to 100% of eligible scouting expenses (transportation, accommodation, and meals) up to €15,000 per project. Up to two scouting trips can be covered, supporting your director, producer, and location manager during early development phases.
Beyond PIC Portugal, additional co-production opportunities are available through Creative Europe Media, Eurimages, New Dawn, and the Ibermedia Programme, creating a strong network for international collaborations.
Spain: Six Incentive Schemes and Diverse Production Locales
Spain remains one of Europe’s most dynamic production environments, with six active tax incentive schemes, tailored for both domestic and international productions. The country’s regulatory structure provides flexibility, and its autonomous regions—from the Basque Country to the Canary Islands—offer localized benefits.
Spain’s production infrastructure is mature and globally competitive, with experienced crews, modern facilities, and a wide variety of shooting locations—from historical cityscapes and beaches to mountains and deserts. When paired with Portugal’s creative incentives, this makes for an ideal dual-country production strategy.
Our Role: Seamless Production Across Iberia
At Atmosphera Productions, we specialize in bringing together the strengths of Portugal and Spain under one roof. Whether you're developing a feature film, high-end series, or documentary, we guide you through location scouting, incentive applications, crew hiring, and full-service production support.
As co-production opportunities between Portugal and Spain continue to grow, especially with France and Brazil also increasing their participation, now is the perfect time to explore a production model that takes advantage of the best both countries have to offer.
Ready to explore what your next shoot could look like across Portugal and Spain? Let’s make it happen—beautiful locations, strategic financing, and world-class production, all in one.