With a highly competitive mix of financial incentives, diverse locations, and a genuine commitment to sustainability, Slovakia is emerging as a strong contender for international film productions. The Slovak Film Commission is leading this push, positioning the country as a solid alternative within Europe for large-scale shoots. Its participation as an exhibitor at Shooting Locations Marketplace 2025 reinforces this strategic move toward international openness.
A Strong and Straightforward Incentive
Slovakia’s main financial draw is a 33% cash rebate on certified private expenditures incurred in the country. This figure ranks among the most generous in Europe and becomes even more attractive considering Slovakia uses the euro—avoiding currency exchange and related costs, unlike neighboring countries such as Hungary or the Czech Republic.
Additionally, Slovakia has signed numerous double taxation agreements, making financial and tax matters much simpler for foreign producers. Combined with the efficient administration of its incentive program, this legal and financial framework provides clarity and security—two key factors for international studios and producers.
On a logistical level, the country is exceptionally accessible: Vienna International Airport is just 45 minutes from Bratislava, and internal distances are short—reducing both travel time and production costs for crew and equipment.
Versatile Locations and a Growing Industry
Creatively speaking, Slovakia is a chameleon. It can represent anything from medieval Europe to contemporary urban environments. Its location catalog includes over 200 castles, brutalist architecture, industrial zones, lush forests, grand mansions, rural landscapes, and untouched natural scenery. This versatility was key in the decision to film AFTERBURN—a high-profile international action film starring Dave Bautista and Samuel L. Jackson—entirely in Slovakia during the summer of 2024. The film needed visually striking locations that matched the comic book aesthetic, and found them throughout the Slovak territory.
Alongside this diversity of locations, Slovakia boasts a well-established professional infrastructure. Its film schools and experience on major projects have created generations of skilled crew—art directors, DOPs, animators, editors—who are internationally seasoned and adaptable across genres and formats.
Moreover, Slovakia is committed to greener filmmaking. Through the Green Screen project, it has developed a platform that includes specific environmental guidelines, a green vendor database, and funding programs that promote sustainable production practices. This aligns directly with one of the main themes of the Shooting Locations Marketplace Summit, which will focus on how to make audiovisual production more compatible with environmental sustainability.
Slovakia has also increased its institutional presence at key international events. In 2025, the Slovak Film Commission actively participated in the Marché du Film in Cannes, and the Slovak Minister of Culture signed a joint declaration—led by France and supported by other EU ministers—defending cinema’s role as a cultural and creative driver. Local talent is also gaining recognition: costume designer Ján Kocman was nominated for a 2025 BAFTA for his work on The Tattooist of Auschwitz, a clear sign of the country’s growing creative reputation.
In short, Slovakia doesn’t just offer attractive financial incentives—it combines them with strong professionalism, operational efficiency, striking visuals, and a forward-thinking approach to green filmmaking. Its presence as an exhibitor at Shooting Locations Marketplace 2025, taking place October 15–16 in Valladolid, is the perfect opportunity to explore new partnerships with a country that is earning a well-deserved spot on Europe’s audiovisual map.