Planning to film in another country involves more than finding the right locations and assembling a professional crew. Depending on the type of production and where filming takes place, international productions may also need to deal with permits, permissions, local authorities, location owners, and other administrative requirements.

For productions planning to film in Turkey, understanding the film permit process during pre-production can help prevent delays and unexpected complications during the shoot.

The requirements can vary depending on the location, nature of the production, shooting activities, and the authorities responsible for the area. For this reason, international producers can benefit significantly from working with an experienced local production company.

Akar Film, led by producer and director Kubilay Akar, provides local production support to international projects and can assist with the coordination and planning required for filming in Turkey.

Do You Need a Permit to Film in Turkey?

The answer depends on several factors.

A professional production taking place in a public area, historical site, protected location, private property, or other controlled environment may be subject to different permission requirements.

The scale and nature of the production can also affect the process.

A small documentary crew, a commercial production, a feature film, and a large television production may have very different logistical and administrative requirements.

Before arriving in Turkey, international producers should therefore determine:

  • Where filming will take place
  • Whether the location is public or private
  • Whether the location has historical or cultural significance
  • Whether special activities are planned
  • Whether drones or other specialized equipment will be used
  • How many crew members will be involved
  • Whether vehicles or large technical equipment will be present
  • How many shooting days are required

These details help determine which permissions and local coordination may be necessary.

Why Should International Productions Plan Permits Early?

Permit processes can take time, particularly when a production involves multiple locations or several different authorities.

Waiting until the last moment can create unnecessary risks.

A location that appears available may require additional authorization. A historical site may have specific rules. A public space may involve local coordination. A private property may require permission from the owner.

For this reason, permit planning should begin during pre-production, ideally at the same time as location scouting and scheduling.

This allows the production team to identify potential restrictions before finalizing the shooting plan.

Location Scouting and Film Permits

Location scouting and permits are closely connected.

A location should not be evaluated only for its visual qualities. The production team should also understand whether filming is practically and legally possible there.

During a location scout, producers may need to consider:

  • Access
  • Ownership
  • Required permissions
  • Shooting restrictions
  • Parking
  • Crew movement
  • Equipment access
  • Noise
  • Public activity
  • Security
  • Working hours
  • Traffic
  • Technical infrastructure

This is why an experienced local production company can be valuable from the earliest stages of a project.

At Akar Film, location research can be approached from both a creative and production perspective, helping international teams understand not only how a location looks, but also how it can function as a working film set.

Public Locations and Local Authorities

Filming in public spaces may require coordination with relevant local authorities.

The exact process can vary depending on the location and type of production.

Urban areas, streets, parks, beaches, public buildings, and other locations may each have different considerations.

For productions working in several cities or regions, this can become particularly complex.

A local production company can help identify the relevant parties, prepare the necessary information, and coordinate communication locally.

Filming at Historical and Cultural Sites

Turkey has an extensive collection of historical and archaeological locations.

These locations can provide exceptional visual environments for films, documentaries, commercials, and television productions.

However, historical and culturally significant sites may have additional rules regarding filming.

Restrictions can relate to:

  • Access
  • Crew size
  • Equipment
  • Lighting
  • Camera placement
  • Working hours
  • Movement within the site
  • Protection of historical structures
  • Commercial use of the footage

International productions should not assume that a location is automatically available simply because it is open to visitors.

The production requirements and filming permissions should be clarified in advance.

Filming on Private Property

Private locations generally require permission from the property owner or authorized representative.

This may include:

  • Houses
  • Hotels
  • Restaurants
  • Factories
  • Offices
  • Farms
  • Private beaches
  • Commercial buildings
  • Industrial facilities

In addition to obtaining permission, productions may need to agree on practical matters such as access times, crew areas, equipment placement, parking, restoration, security, and filming conditions.

A local production partner can help establish communication with property owners and coordinate the practical requirements before the shooting day.

Drone Filming in Turkey

Drone filming is increasingly common in commercials, films, documentaries, tourism productions, and other audiovisual projects.

However, drone operations can involve separate regulatory and operational requirements.

The requirements may depend on factors such as the drone, operator, location, flight conditions, and purpose of the operation.

International productions planning aerial filming should therefore address drone-related requirements during pre-production rather than treating them as a last-minute production decision.

Because regulations and administrative procedures can change, the current requirements should always be verified with the relevant Turkish authorities before a shoot.

What Information Should a Production Prepare?

Before beginning the permit and location coordination process, an international production should have a clear understanding of its project.

Useful information may include:

  • Production title
  • Production company