Bilbao and the province of Bizkaia have positioned themselves as one of the most compelling locations for audiovisual production in Europe. Nestled between the sea and the mountains, the region offers a wide variety of natural and urban settings, paired with modern infrastructure, a mature professional ecosystem, and a fiscal framework few others can rival. Its participation in the upcoming edition of Shooting Locations Market —to be held in Valladolid on October 15 and 16, 2025— reaffirms its leading role on the European map of filming destinations.
A Fiscal Framework That Sets the Region Apart
Bilbao Bizkaia’s main advantage in the audiovisual sector lies not only in its aesthetic and logistical appeal but also in a flexible and ambitious system of tax incentives tailored to the industry’s real needs. Deductions can reach up to 70%, depending on the proportion of local spend, making it one of the most competitive regions in Europe. The scheme includes brackets at 60%, 50%, and 40%, based on the percentage of production costs incurred in the territory, with an additional 10% for works produced in the Basque language.
These incentives are open to both national and international projects, covering feature films, series, documentaries and short films. Specific advantages are also offered for debut films, low-budget works, or projects facing market access difficulties. The system is supported by a responsive and experienced administration that understands the rhythms of the sector and provides legal certainty, operational clarity and dedicated professional support.
A Catalogue of Locations Ready to Serve the Story
What makes Bilbao Bizkaia particularly attractive as a filming destination is the real diversity of its landscapes. From the bold architecture of the Guggenheim Museum or Azkuna Zentroa to the rural mystique of the Otzarreta beech forest or the cliffs of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe —featured in the seventh season of Game of Thrones— the region offers a range of locations able to accommodate a wide spectrum of narrative styles within just a short distance.
This landscape richness is reinforced by excellent connectivity. Bilbao features an efficient urban transport network and an international airport with direct links to major European capitals, making crew and logistics movement straightforward. The hotel infrastructure, technical suppliers and production support services further strengthen an already robust offer, ready to host productions of all sizes.
In recent years, Bizkaia has hosted titles such as The Platform, 20,000 Species of Bees, Intimacy and Muted —productions that found not only the right visual backdrop, but also the operational conditions needed to thrive. International projects like The World Is Not Enough, part of the James Bond saga, further highlight the region’s openness and ambition to remain a reference point for global audiovisual projects.
Bilbao Bizkaia arrives at Shooting Locations Market with a clear message: every production can find a home here. And the institutional, fiscal and professional commitment is aligned to make it happen.