Production Value

Estonia is a member of European Union. No special working permits required.
Film permits are issued by municipal authorities and other local administrative bodies. Requirements vary, depending on the location. Permit applications must be in Estonian.
Filmmakers shooting on private property must also deal directly with the property owners.
Filming permits will be arranged by Estonian co-producer or production service company.

5-day week
10-hour shooting day for the crew + travel to/from set + lunch (min. 30')
Actors regular day is 10 hours, extra hours are negotiable
Minimum turnover time is 11 hours
If shooting is taking place outside of the capital Tallinn, working time starts from the border of Tallinn.
If shooting is taking place outside of Tallinn with accommodation, then working time starts from the hotel.
Extra charge for the night shoot for the technicians starting from 11pm til 6am.

There are no unions in Estonia. Film crew rates are not regulated by the government and are the subject of negotiation. Actors who belong in Estonian Actors Society have their minimum rates, and regulations for but again everything is negotiable.
Sample rates [XLS] for cast, extras, crew and transportation.
Most of the crew members and even actors provide their services under their own companies, so most of the crew members will deal themselves with the fringes and social security. In Estonia, the VAT is 20% which is added to the invoice. Dealing with a foreign company who is VAT applicable, the VAT is 0%.
It is compulsory to provide trauma and accident insurance for cast and crew.

• When shooting is outside of residential area, production has to provide transportation or cover the appropriate fuel cost.
When shooting is on the distant location and the crew is accommodated, full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) should be provided, no need for extra per diems. We pay per diems, 50 EUR/ day when Estonian crew is working outside of Estonia only.

Normally, catering includes breakfast, snacks between breakfast and lunch and light dinner. Snacks are provided between lunch and wrap. Tea, coffee, drinks all day long. Good quality food and service included would cost around 30-35 EUR/day per person./li>

Estonian Film Institute is providing finances for co-productions on local spend, amount is decided by Film Institute and has to be asked by local producer.

filmestonia.eu Important info for Estonian conditions, crews, locations etc. Support intensity: up to 30%. Decision in 30 days. Auditing in 30 days. Payment in 10 days.
East-Estonian Film fund Regional fund. Support intensity: up to 40%
Tartu Film Fund Regional fund. Support intensity: up to 20%