Hungary vs the rest of Europe.
Hungary's 30–37.5% cash rebate compared with the UK, Ireland, Italy, France, Spain, Czechia and more — on rate, form, caps and infrastructure, for producers choosing a European base.
Europe is a patchwork of film incentives, and the headline percentage is the worst way to choose between them. What matters is the form of the money, the caps, and the infrastructure attached. Here is how Hungary stacks up.
The comparison that matters
| Country | Headline | Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hungary | 30–37.5% | Cash rebate | No cap on registrations (2026), no min, EU-approved to 2030, monetizable upfront |
| UK | ~25% (indie higher) | Expenditure credit | Cultural test; strong post/VFX |
| Ireland | ~32% | Tax credit | Regional uplift |
| Italy | 40% | Tax credit | Caps & cultural test |
| France | 30% (to 40% VFX) | Rebate (TRIP) | Strong for heavy-VFX |
| Spain | 30% (Canaries 50%) | Rebate | Per-project caps |
| Czechia | ~25% | Cash rebate | Annual allocation risk |
Where Hungary wins
- Form: a real, bankable cash rebate — and monetizable upfront, which few in Europe offer.
- No cap, no minimum: works at any budget without a lottery or ceiling.
- Certainty: EU-approved and secured through 2030; July 2026 reform removed the cap on new registrations. 2026 collection account: HUF 70 billion.
- Infrastructure: Origo, Korda, NFI and a non-union crew proven on the biggest films.
Where others may fit
Italy's 40% or the Canary Islands' 50% can beat Hungary's rate for the right project — but often with caps or thinner infrastructure. France excels for very heavy VFX; the UK for English-language prestige and post. The smart move is frequently both: base in Hungary and co-produce with a higher-rate partner to blend past 40%.
Choose on form, caps and infrastructure — not the poster percentage. On that test, Hungary leads Europe.
Model it
Compare any pairing in the calculator, or read why Hungary's incentive may be the best in the world.
Questions producers ask us
Which European country has the best film incentive?
Is Hungary's rebate better than the UK's?
Can I combine Hungary with a higher-rate country?
Bring your production to Hungary.
Tell us the budget and territory. We'll model the rebate and plan the floor — and we can arrange to monetize the rebate upfront.
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