At a glance
- Italy and Germany have a bilateral film co-production agreement, signed in 1999 and in force since 2002, which lets a co-produced film count as national in both countries.
- Since February 2025 Germany’s federal incentives, the DFFF and the GMPF, pay a uniform 30% of eligible German production costs, and Italy offers its own production tax credit on the Italian share.
- Both countries are members of Eurimages, and the Italian Ministry of Culture and the German Federal Film Board have run a joint fund for co-development.
Updated October 2026.
Italy and Germany are two of Europe’s largest film markets, a short flight apart, with strong public funding on both sides. Yet Italian–German co-productions remain fewer than you would expect. For a German producer looking south, or an Italian producer looking for a partner with real financing power, the legal framework is favourable. The work lies in structuring the deal so that both sides’ incentives actually apply.
The co-production agreement
Italy and Germany signed a bilateral co-production agreement in Rome on 23 September 1999. It entered into force on 5 November 2002, replacing the earlier agreement of 27 July 1966. A film approved under it is treated as a national film in both countries, which is what opens the door to each country’s public funding, tax incentives and national quotas.
Under the agreement, each co-producer must contribute at least 20% of the budget; in multilateral co-productions the minority share can be as low as 10% and the majority share cannot exceed 70%. Each co-producer’s creative, artistic and technical participation must be proportional to its financial share, with minimum requirements on creative staff, technicians and cast. Shooting and lab work should preferably take place in the co-producing countries. A purely financial participation, between 10% and 25% of the budget, is possible only as an exception and with the prior approval of both competent authorities: in Italy the Directorate-General for Cinema of the Ministry of Culture, in Germany the Federal Film Board (FFA).
Where a third country joins, the co-production can also be structured under the revised Council of Europe Convention on Cinematographic Co-production, which Italy ratified in 2021.
What the German side brings
Germany overhauled its federal film funding in 2025. Since 1 February 2025 the German Federal Film Fund (DFFF) and the German Motion Picture Fund (GMPF) pay a uniform 30% of eligible German production costs, and the FFA has confirmed that both schemes remain in force in 2026. DFFF I, for feature films, documentaries and animation, is capped at €5 million per film; GMPF covers high-end series and films.
The German co-producer must meet the scheme’s own conditions, including a minimum financial contribution to the budget and a cultural test. Annual budgets are limited, so the timing of the application matters. Germany also has strong regional funds, such as Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, which can be combined with federal support when part of the budget is spent in that region.
What the Italian side brings
The Italian co-producer can access the Italian production tax credit on its share of the budget, as well as the Ministry of Culture’s selective funds and regional film commission funds, which vary from region to region. Our guide to Italian film tax credits explains how the credit works for co-productions.
Two Italian rules often surprise German partners. Contracts with authors and performers must include an AI consent clause for the Italian tax credit, so talent agreements on both sides need to match. And under Italian law the director is a co-author of the film, with moral rights that cannot be waived, which affects final cut and later edits: see our guide to the director agreement under Italian law.
European funding
Both countries are members of Eurimages, the Council of Europe’s co-production fund, which supports co-productions between member states. Our Eurimages guide explains the documents and agreements an application needs. The Italian Ministry of Culture and the FFA have also run a joint fund for the co-development of Italian–German projects, with non-repayable grants for development costs; check with both authorities whether a call is open before planning on it.
Getting the structure right
A successful Italian–German co-production starts with a co-production agreement that works under both legal systems: the split of financing and rights, the creative contributions each side must show to the authorities, territories and revenue sharing, and how each side’s incentives are protected if the other side’s funding falls through. The chain of title must hold up for the FFA, the Italian Ministry and any E&O insurer.
DANDI.media | Entertainment Law & Co-Production Strategies advises Italian and foreign producers on co-productions with Italy, from the first deal memo to approval by the authorities. To discuss a project, book a consultation or write to claudiaroggero@dandi.media or donatodipelino@dandi.media.
FAQ
Is there a co-production treaty between Italy and Germany?
Yes. Italy and Germany signed a bilateral film co-production agreement on 23 September 1999, in force since 5 November 2002. A film approved under it is treated as national in both countries and can access each country’s public funding.
How much does Germany’s federal film incentive pay?
Since 1 February 2025 the DFFF and the GMPF pay a uniform 30% of eligible German production costs. DFFF I is capped at €5 million per film.
Can a co-producer contribute only money?
Only as an exception. Under the Italy–Germany agreement, a purely financial participation between 10% and 25% of the budget requires the prior approval of both competent authorities.
Can an Italian–German co-production apply to Eurimages?
Yes. Both countries are members of Eurimages, which supports co-productions between member states.
Useful links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| German Federal Film Board (FFA) – DFFF and GMPF | ffa.de |
| Italian Ministry of Culture – Cinema and Audiovisual (DGCA) | cinema.cultura.gov.it |
| Italy–Germany co-production agreement (Italian text) | Ministry of Culture |
| Italian film tax credits | DANDI.media guide |
| Italy’s co-production treaties | DANDI.media guide |
| Eurimages co-production requirements | DANDI.media guide |
| Director agreement under Italian law | DANDI.media guide |
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