A Filmmaker’s Guide
to Shooting in Sweden
Our company works with local professionals to make sure you
are getting the right help throughout media production.
Permits in Sweden: What You Need to Know
Sweden is a stunning location for any commercial or corporate film project, and, fortunately, if you’re a small crew using handheld cameras and other equipment, you won’t need to sort out permits before you start rolling.
Other larger video projects with a “commercial intent”, i.e. brand advertisement, a TV show or a movie, will need permits from a range of authorities. These can include the Stockholm Film Commission, local city councils, and the police. You may also need permission from resident associations if you need roads and pathways to be shut off while you shoot your scene. Filming in or around private buildings and spaces will also necessitate specific location agreements and/or release forms, regardless of the other permits you may have.
It makes sense to work with an experienced film fixer like Fixer Sweden, as not only will we ensure you apply for all the right authorisations, but we’ll do so in the right language too—which is Swedish, of course!
Timing Your Sweden Film Production around the Weather
If you want to capture some of Sweden’s striking weather features while filming here, then it’s important to know where and when you should shoot.
Parts of Northern Sweden are actually within the Arctic Circle, including Lapland, with its breathtaking snowy wilderness and skies regularly lit up by the aurora borealis during the months of September to March. Summer in the north also boasts the “midnight sun”, which prompts lengthy daylight hours, which can, of course, allow you to film for longer!
Southern Sweden is equally gorgeous, however. During the warm months of summer, you’ll capture truly bucolic settings of green fields, storybook forests and endearing villages and country homes, including the famed red-wood cottages of Skåne. Snow arrives in winter, and while it’s much milder than the north, it’s still beautiful to see and film.
Planning Filming Equipment Rental & Local Crew Logistics
Compared to other European countries, Sweden is relatively expensive (though not as costly as its Nordic counterparts!). However, taking this on board and the fact that it is an ATA Carnet country, means it’s worth considering bringing your film equipment with you. Hiring camera kits, lighting rigs and sound desks locally is absolutely possible but can come with a high price tag.
That said, depending on the complexity of your film project or the number of locations you’ll be shooting in, renting your gear on the ground here can save time and hassle. When you work with us, we’ll advise you on the best way to proceed based on our vast experience of supporting different kinds of productions up and down the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it an ATA carnet country?
Yes.
Is it safe for me and my team to film there?
Yes.
Do I need a visa or a work visa to film there?
Generally, no, but check with your local Swedish Embassy or Consulate if you’re unsure.
Do I need a local company to film or get visas there?
Yes, you’ll need to partner with a local production company.
Do I need a permit for drones?
Yes, permits for any kind of commercial video are essential. Your Drone also has to be registered and operated by an SA-certified operator.
Is there a cash rebate/tax exemption or any other fiscal advantage?
If your production is filmed fully or even partly in Sweden, then, all going well, you can apply for the 25% cash which is administered by Tillväxtverket (Swedish Agency for Economic Growth). There are deadlines and a minimum spend threshold to comply with, but as your fixer, we’ll guide you in the application.
Can I shoot in a national park and, if so, under what circumstances?
Yes, you can shoot Sweden’s national parks once you’ve undertaken an environmental impact study (for big productions) and obtained the right to film from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.
Working with Fixer Sweden
We’re well-known and respected throughout Sweden, and among international production companies that regularly come to work here in the Land of the Midnight Sun. As a member of the global network Storytailors, we’re able to offer comprehensive end-to-end services that include everything from location scouting, pre-production research, translation, securing crews, kits and transportation and managing all other logistics, serving major clients such as Arte, Discovery Channel, 2DF, Nike and Netflix.