Austria FISA Film Incentive

How Does Austria's FISA Film Incentive Work?

Austria provides production incentives of up to 30% through the FISA program (Filmstandort Austria), administered by the Austrian Film Institute (OeFI). FISA is a grant-based program that reimburses qualifying production expenditure incurred in Austria, supporting both Austrian productions and international projects that film in the country.

The program has been instrumental in attracting international productions to Austria, particularly those drawn to the country's Alpine landscapes, imperial architecture, and experienced German-speaking crews.

FISA Incentive Structure

• Maximum rate: Up to 30% of qualifying Austrian production expenditure
• Minimum spend: EUR 150,000 in qualifying Austrian expenditure
• Maximum FISA grant: EUR 2,500,000 per project
• Incentive type: Non-repayable grant

Qualifying expenditure includes payments to Austrian-resident crew and talent, Austrian-registered companies for goods and services, facility and studio rentals, equipment hire, accommodation, and other production costs incurred within Austria.

What Productions Are Eligible?

• Feature films (theatrical and streaming)
• Television series and miniseries
• Documentaries
• Animation productions
• International productions with qualifying Austrian expenditure
• Official co-productions under Austria's bilateral treaties

FISA applications are evaluated on economic impact, cultural contribution, and the extent of Austrian involvement. Productions must apply before principal photography begins in Austria.

Why Productions Choose Austria

Alpine spectacle. The Austrian Alps provide dramatic mountain landscapes, pristine valleys, glacial lakes, and ski resorts that have featured in productions from James Bond to "The Sound of Music."

Imperial architecture. Vienna's Baroque palaces, including Schoenbrunn and the Hofburg, along with Salzburg's old town and Innsbruck's historic center, offer period European settings.

Experienced crews. Austria has a well-established film industry with experienced crews across all departments, many of whom are bilingual in German and English.

Central European location. Austria borders eight countries, making it easy to combine Austrian shoots with filming in neighboring Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, or Switzerland.

Studio facilities. Modern studio facilities in Vienna and other cities provide stage space, workshops, and production offices for both domestic and international shoots.

How Do You Apply for Austria's FISA Incentive?

• Submit a FISA application to the Austrian Film Institute before production starts
• Provide a detailed budget with projected Austrian expenditure of EUR 150K+
• Austrian Film Institute evaluates the application and issues a provisional commitment
• Complete filming in Austria, tracking all qualifying expenditure
• Submit audited final expenditure report
• FISA grant is paid after verification (up to EUR 2.5M cap)

Austria FISA Film Incentive: Key Facts

• Maximum rate: Up to 30%
• Min spend: EUR 150,000
• Max grant: EUR 2,500,000 per project
• Credit type: Non-repayable grant (FISA)
• Administering body: Austrian Film Institute (OeFI)
• Official resource: Austrian Film Institute