Latvia

Funding bodies

Fund Goal

The MEDIA sub-programme of Creative Europe supports the EU film and audiovisual industries financially in the development, distribution and promotion of their work. It helps to launch projects with a European dimension and nurtures new technologies; it enables European films and audiovisual works including...

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Fund Goal

To encourage co-operation between professionals working in different countries by providing financial support to European co-productions.

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Fund Goal

The National Film Centre of Latvia (NFC), as a direct funding mechanism for audiovisual production, film in particular, is a government institution overseeing the film sector in Latvia. The NFC grants public support to Latvian films, preserves the national audiovisual heritage and promotes Latvian films...

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Fund Goal

The purpose of rthis co-financing fund is: Attracting funding from the foreign cinema industry, promotion of the export of Latvian culture, promotion of Latvia's recognition in the world, Promoting the development of the infrastructure of the Latvian cinema industry and creating new jobs, promotion...

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Fund Goal

The Riga Coucil aims to promote foreign film productions in Riga, to create new jobs, to attract investments to Riga, to encourage development of the national film industry, to promote Riga abroad.

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Regulation

The nationals of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Latvia for a short-term stay:, Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominica, East Timor, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China), Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Republic of Korea, , Macau (Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China), Macedonia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Taiwan , Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago , Tuvalu, The Vatican, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela.
For more details please consult: http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/consular-information/countries-whose-citizens-may-enter-latvia-without-a-visa
Work Permit:
Nationals of the EU/EEA Member States, including the latest two countries of Bulgaria and Romania, and Switzerland are able to work without restriction in Latvia.
For all other nationalities wishing to work in Latvia a work and residence permit is necessary.
To obtain a work permit: A potential employer can only apply for a work permit for a third-country national in very specific case, for certain IT specialists for example. The application has to be made to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs-Foreigners Service Centre. If it is approved, an application for a residence permit has to follow.

No official permission is required for feature film shoots or any other type of production other than the normal requirement for permission from the owner of the authority responsible for the location in question. Permits take usually no more than a week.

Accepts ATA Carnets for Commercial Samples, Exhibitions and Fairs, Professional Equipment. For detailed information visit http://www.chamber.lv

VAT standard rate in Latvia is 21% (since Jan 2011). Reduced rates of 12% on medications, veterinary medications, special equipment for children and communications services. VAT is charged on assets and services provided in Latvia as well as on imports into Latvia. Are exempt from VAT: exports from Latvia, income from financial services, such as insurance and banking services, legal advice (subject to the conditions in law) and operations like: Educational services, Medical services, Cultural services, Lotteries and gambling, Financial services provided by banks and insurance companies, Gifts and donations for humanitarian aims. Any business with a turnover in excess of LVL 10,000 (approximately Euro 14,000) in the previous 12 months is obligated to register with the VAT authorities. Latvia VAT Recovery Time: 6 months Proposal to cut Latvian VAT rate in July 2012.

Latvian copyright law refers to literary, scientific and artistic works; also to unfinished works, insignificant of the goal and value of the work or nature of its expression. It is important that there is no special registration or any other formality needed to verify copyrights. For further details please consult: http://www.km.gov.lv/en/eu/member/copyright_history.html

Social insurance contributions are paid by both the employer and employee. The total rate for resident employees is 33.09% of gross employment income (including salary, bonuses, benefits in kind etc.), 11% of which is paid by the individual (withheld from gross salary) and 24.09% by the employer. Special rules apply to Latvian residents employed by foreign companies, foreign nationals employed by foreign companies (performing work in Latvia) and self-employed individuals.

Film Commissions

Riga

Riga City Council offers film funding and production services for national and foreign producers like: - Shooting permits can be arranged quickly and easily - Well developed film industry with qualified professionals - Quality filmmaking and technical service with experience in international projects...

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Coproduction treaties

Professional Associations

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