Support for the filming of foreign films and the organisation of large publicevents in Latvia

Published: 04.03.2025.
Updated: 16.02.2026.

On February 11, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the support program proposed by the Ministry of Economics, "Procedures for the allocation of state budget co-financing for large, significant public events and foreign film shoots in Latvia" (Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 99).

The aim of the support program is to provide state budget co-financing for the organization of major events and foreign film shoots in Latvia, creating a positive economic impact and promoting the international recognition of Latvia's image.

From December 15, 2025, to January 30, 2026, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) will accept applications for the third round of the foreign film and major event support program. The total budget for both programs until 2027 is planned to be EUR 23.67 million. Applications for support can be submitted on the national business development platform www.business.gov.lv.

Application for the organisation of large public events in Latvia.

Application for the filming of foreign films in Latvia.

The funding available for the third selection round in 2026 is EUR 3 401 235, and EUR 7 362 392 in 2027. In the first two rounds, the LIAA has co-financed 16 film projects, with support amounting to EUR 2.91 million in the first round and in the second round, EUR 4.71 million. The planned value added tax amount for foreign film projects supported in the second selection round is EUR 3.94 million, or 83.65% of the total co-financing requested. Cabinet Regulation No. 99 stipulates that after the deadline for accepting applications, the LIAA will evaluate the applications within one month and compile information on the necessary co-financing for each type of measure. The compiled information will then be forwarded to the Ministry of Economics, which will submit a request for funding or an increase in appropriations in accordance with the current state budget law, not exceeding 15% of the fiscal reserve for the relevant year. Following the decision to increase the appropriation, the LIAA will conclude agreements with the project implementers.

Within the framework of Cabinet Regulation No. 173 of March 15, 2022, "Procedures for the Allocation of State Budget Co-financing for the Filming of Foreign Films in Latvia," the LIAA has disbursed co-financing in the amount of EUR 5.28 million to 24 film projects. The amount of taxes paid in connection with the supported film projects reaches EUR 5.67 million.

On March 15, 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a new state support program of the Ministry of Economics for filming foreign films in Latvia. In order to promote the attraction of foreign investments, various financial support mechanisms have been established in many countries in Europe and the world, both in the form of taxes and funds, so that foreign film producers are financially interested in filming films in a given country, recovering part of the invested funding.

The services provided by the film industry significantly stimulate the development of economy and recognition of Latvia. With the help of co-financing, employment is effectively promoted in various sectors of the economy, including those not directly related to the film industry (for example, hospitality, catering, transport services), while strengthening the international competitiveness of film industry professionals.

Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers of March 15, 2022 No. 173 "Procedure in which state budget co-financing is granted for the filming of foreign films in Latvia" (CM regulation 173) determines the procedure by which the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (hereinafter - LIAA) grants state budget co-financing for the filming of foreign films in Latvia.

The Ministry of Economics, in cooperation with LIAA, is currently working on amendments to the regulations of the CM 173, with the aim of improving and speeding up the procedure for submitting projects and the support granted, changing the evaluation criteria of the project submission, supplementing the criteria of eligible costs, changing the amount of co-financing by determining it in a single item of eligible expenses, as well as determining the obligation to timely submit a detailed and documented list of the amount of taxes paid as a result of project implementation.Find out below why Lolita Ritmanis, a Latvian composer, who is a Grammy®, Emmy® and SCL Award winning member of the international film music community, thinks you should discover film making in Latvia.