Netherlands Film Production Incentive High-End Series

The aim of the Netherlands Film Production Incentive for High-End TV Series is to increase the attractiveness of the Dutch film sector for both majority and minority high-end TV series. The Fund wants to use the Incentive to increase the production activity for creative and technical film professionals and film companies in the Netherlands.

It also wants to use the Incentive to promote the development of film talent in the Netherlands and to encourage the diversity, quality and spread of high-end TV series.

The scheme provides a financial benefit of up to 35% (cash rebate) of the qualifying production costs of national and international high-end drama, documentary and animated series and single episodes that have demonstrably been spent in the Netherlands. Projects that may be of value to the Dutch film sector and that encourage collaboration with Dutch businesses are eligible.

The contribution is awarded on the basis of strict financial, legal and business criteria. Applications are assessed using an automatic points system and the independence test (read more under What do we look for when assessing your application?, Procedure and Rules and Regulations).

Film productions may also be eligible for a grant contribution from the Production Incentive.

The Film Production Incentive for High-End TV Series is for Dutch producers of drama, documentary and animated series and in particular for producers wanting to collaborate with international producers on a project basis to exchange creativity and activity. The scheme is also designed to encourage the development of talent, diversity, quality and broad visibility in multiple countries.

An application for the Production Incentive for High-End TV Series can be made by an independent production company (a legal entity, so not a one-man business or general partnership) that has been based for at least two years in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a member state of the EU, EEA or Switzerland and that produces and exploits film productions, TV series and other audiovisual productions on a continuing basis.

The production company will be represented by a producer who, in the seven calendar years prior to the application, has had main responsibility for realising a minimum of one majority film production (reference film) with a production budget of at least 500,000 euros and at least one cinema release in the Netherlands and/or one majority TV series (reference series) in the same category and minute price (as for the series for which an application has been submitted), which has primarily been made publicly available in the Netherlands through television/VOD broadcast. The categories are drama series, animated series and documentary series.

*Only applicants from the Netherlands, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba can apply for the Film Production Incentive.

Applications can be made to the Netherlands Film Production Incentive for High-End TV Series for the following grant contribution:

• Up to 3 million euros per project per year per applicant production company

The grant contribution is a maximum of 35% (cash rebate) of the demonstrably spent qualifying Dutch production costs. See the Regulations for the Netherlands Film Production Incentive – High-End TV Series & Single Episodes – Annex 1 for the list of costs that are not eligible for this grant.

The annual budget for 2025 is 9 million euros for high-end TV series (three rounds). You will find further information about the grant cap here.

To be eligible for the Film Production Incentive for High-End TV Series Incentive for Film Productions, the following conditions apply:

• The producer is independent when the applicant has overriding decision-making powers in terms of content, production and execution.

• The applicant submits the independence test with the application, which shows that the TV series for which it is applying is an independent production.

• The television/VOD broadcast in the Netherlands is guaranteed. If the TV series is an international co-production, the television/VOD broadcast is guaranteed in two or more countries, including the Netherlands.

• The series is fully developed from an artistic/content perspective. The scripts, director’s vision and, in the case of animation, the style guide must be ready for production.

• A minimum minute price applies as lower limit for the production budget:

• Documentary series: 4,000 euros per broadcast minute

• Animated series: 8,000 euros per broadcast minute

• Drama series for children below the age of 12: a minimum of 10,000 euros in production costs per broadcast minute for a TV series between 10 and 25 minutes per episode, or a minimum of 8,000 euros per broadcast minute for series longer than 25 minutes

• Drama series (other): 12,000 euros per broadcast minute

• To be eligible for a financial contribution for a Single Episode the production costs per episode must be a minimum of one million euros.

• The production costs have been budgeted realistically in line with the market and are directly connected to the realisation of the TV series.

• At the time of application at least 50% of the production budget has been unconditionally and demonstrably promised in writing by third parties (no guarantees or deferments).

• Only applications obtaining a minimum of 75 points – including points for not less than two main functions – are eligible. For international (co-)productions with a minority share in the financing from the Netherlands that spend one million euros or more qualifying production costs in the Netherlands, one main function is sufficient and points can be attributed for other functions if they are responsible for the execution of the production in the Netherlands. For animated series with a minority in the financing from the Netherlands the functions count if they include main responsibility for the production in the Netherlands. Given that it is an incentive, the starting point in this regard is that the functions in the crew/cast are separate from the team of (co-)producer(s).

• The applicant is obliged to realise the high-end TV series according to the details submitted with the application, including the number of points laid down in the decision.

• The high-end TV series must be fully financed within six months of the date of the decision and not later than the start of shooting, after which the Fund’s implementation agreement is drawn up.

• A grant contribution is awarded on condition that an implementation agreement is concluded that includes detailed grant obligations.

• The high-end TV series must be finished and be made publicly available via television/VOD broadcast within 36 months of the conclusion of the implementation agreement.

• If the application is rejected, it can be submitted once more in a subsequent application round.

Click here for further information about the conditions for the applicant and the application.

An application for this scheme can be submitted up to the deadline date by 5:00 pm CET.

Unlike the selective support provided by the Film Fund, an application for the Film Production Incentive is assessed on the basis of strict financial, legal and business criteria and using an automatic points system. This points system classifies the applications received in each application round. The Fund’s opinion is of overriding importance in this regard. For 2025 the minimum number of points per application has been set at 75. The minimum number of points of the independence test must also be met.

Production/business

The head of the Film Production Incentive and production managers assess the production and business aspects of an application, after which the director decides on the application. The outcome usually follows within eight to ten weeks.

Level of the contribution

The level of the grant contribution is calculated by multiplying the qualifying production costs by 35%. The Regulations for the Netherlands Film Production Incentive – Annex 1 includes a list of non-qualifying costs. When determining the level of the grant, the qualifying production costs are included from the point at which the development phases are concluded, but production (shooting period) has yet to start. Cost centres 1000 and 1100 are excluded from this. This applies to films and TV series for which an Incentive grant is awarded from 1 January 2025.

The final level of the grant contribution awarded is determined and then paid afterwards, on the basis of the production spending actually incurred and qualifying. The grant contribution can never be higher than the maximum amount referred to in the decision +10%.

• Points system

• Independence test

• Script

• Notes on the content-related Annexes

• Synopsis

• CVs

• Filming and exploitation rights

• Production planning

• Style guide (for long animation only)

• Production budget

• Financing plan

• Financing allocations

• Agreement(s) media companies/sales agent

• Notes on the content-related annexes

• Co-production agreement (if applicable)

• List of intra-group relations (if applicable)

• Chamber of Commerce extract

• Declaration by any (co-)producers (if applicable)

Regulations

• Regulations for the Netherlands Film Production Incentive High-end Series
• General Regulations

Protocols

• Financial and Production Protocol Production Incentive
• Financial Accounting Manual

Budget models and cost report

• Budget Model Standard & Production Incentive Animation (Excel)
• Budget Model Standard & Production Incentive (Excel)
• Budget Model Template (Movie Magic)*
• Checklist for financial accounts

Independency test and Points System

• Independency Test Film Production and High-end Series
• Points System TV-series - Documentary
• Points System TV-series - Drama
• Points System TV-series - Animation

* The Standard Budget Model (Movie Magic) is provided as a .bin file. If you have any difficulties opening .bin files, use a program such as Daemon Tools. Would you like to receive the Standard Budget Model (Movie Magic) file (.mbd) by email? Then please email [email protected].

Applications for production support can be submitted on application dates by the Dutch producer (click here).