Romania has hosted large international film and TV productions for years, and its crews have learned to work to Western standards on Western schedules. For commercials, the appeal is simpler: you can shoot a mountain road, a medieval square, a brutalist housing estate and a beach within one country, with an EU contract and a crew that speaks English, often for noticeably less than in Western Europe. This guide covers what brands and agencies ask us before they book a shoot here.
Why shoot a commercial in Romania?
- Cost. Crew day rates, equipment rental, locations, catering and accommodation are generally lower than in the UK, Germany, France or the US. The difference comes from local salaries and overheads, not from lower standards.
- Experienced crews. Decades of international feature and series work mean experienced gaffers, grips, art departments and production managers, especially around Bucharest.
- Studio infrastructure. Large studio complexes such as Castel Film Studios and MediaPro Studios operate near Bucharest, alongside smaller stages and rental houses.
- EU membership. EU contracts, euro invoicing, GDPR, and no customs formalities for kit coming from other EU countries.
- Time zone. Two hours ahead of London and one ahead of Paris or Berlin, so remote clients can follow the shoot live.
How do costs compare with Western Europe?
We don't publish rate cards, because a commercial's budget depends on the script far more than on the country. But it helps to know where Romania saves you money and where it doesn't:
| Budget line | Compared with Western Europe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Local crew | Generally lower | The biggest saving on most shoots |
| Camera, lighting, grip rental | Generally lower | Standard cinema kit is available locally |
| Locations and permits | Generally lower | Varies widely by city and venue |
| Accommodation, catering, transport | Generally lower | Outside Bucharest, noticeably so |
| Local cast and extras | Generally lower | Check buyout terms for international use |
| Flights for your own team | Same | Direct flights to Bucharest from most European hubs |
| Imported specialist kit or crew | Same or higher | Plan ahead for rare equipment |
The saving is largest on labour-heavy shoots: several days, larger crews, many set-ups, lots of extras. A one-day product shoot with a minimal crew saves less in absolute terms, though it can still make sense if you need a specific location.
What locations can you find in Romania?
- Bucharest: grand boulevards, the Palace of the Parliament, Belle Époque villas, communist-era apartment blocks, modern glass offices, and an old town for nightlife scenes. It doubles convincingly for other Central and Eastern European cities.
- Transylvania: Brașov, Sibiu and Sighișoara for medieval squares and colourful facades, plus castles, fortified churches and rolling countryside.
- Mountain roads: the Transfăgărășan and Transalpina are classic car-commercial roads. They are high-altitude routes that are typically open only in summer and early autumn, so check dates before you plan.
- The Carpathians: forests, ski resorts and wild valleys for outdoor, sports and adventure brands.
- The Black Sea coast and the Danube Delta: beaches, lakes, reed beds and wildlife.
- Industrial and unusual sites: factories, salt mines such as Salina Turda, abandoned buildings.
What permits do you need?
Permit rules depend on where you shoot. Public streets, parks and monuments usually require approval from the local city hall or the institution that manages the site, and closing roads requires coordination with the local police. Drone flights need authorisation and are restricted near airports, in many urban areas and around sensitive sites; allow extra time for this. Private locations need a signed location agreement. A local production partner handles these applications, but the lead time is real, so book key locations early.
If foreign crew members come from outside the EU, check visa and work-permit requirements well in advance. Equipment coming from outside the EU may need an ATA Carnet.
Does Romania's film cash rebate apply to commercials?
Probably not, and it's worth being clear about this because the rebate is often mentioned in the same breath as commercials. Romania runs a cash rebate scheme for film and TV production, administered by the Film & Cultural Investment Office (OFIC). Press coverage puts the rebate at 30% of eligible local spend, and industry reports from mid-2026 (Screen Global Production, Film New Europe) say the scheme has been extended, with financing agreements possible until the end of 2029. However, guides to the scheme published by Romanian production companies, such as Saga Film's 2024 summary, list commercials among the non-eligible formats, alongside soap operas, sitcoms and video games. Rules change, so always verify the current eligibility conditions directly with OFIC before you build a budget around any incentive.
For commercials, the advantage of shooting in Romania therefore comes from lower production costs and location variety, not from a rebate.
How does a local production partner run the shoot?
- Brief and treatment. Your script or idea, deliverables, markets and deadlines. We review the script for feasibility and suggest locations.
- Budget and schedule. A detailed budget by line, a shooting schedule and a clear list of what's included.
- Pre-production. Location scouting with photos and video, casting, permits, crew and kit booking, wardrobe, props and insurance.
- Shoot days. Local crew, with your director or ours. Remote clients can follow the monitor feed live.
- Post-production. Editing, colour grading, sound design, motion graphics, subtitles, and cut-downs for TV, YouTube, Meta and TikTok.
- Delivery and rights. Final files in every format you need, with usage rights for cast and music documented.
What should you ask a Romanian production company?
- Can I see a showreel and the actual credits: what did your team do on each project?
- Who will be my day-to-day contact, and do they speak fluent English?
- What's included in the quote, and what is billed as extras (overtime, travel days, weather days)?
- How are cast buyouts handled for international and online use?
- What's the plan if weather cancels an outdoor day?
- Can you also handle post-production and ad versions in-house?
Where does All In Media fit?
We are a full-service agency with an in-house scriptwriter, videographer and editor, working in English with brands from the EU, the UK and the US. Our strength is performance-driven commercials and short-form ad creatives: hook-first scripts, on-location shoots and edits built for TikTok, Reels, Shorts and paid campaigns. For Molini Pizza, our video campaign passed 1.5 million views on Instagram and 1.2 million on TikTok. For larger productions, we coordinate the extra crew, kit and locations needed.
Read more about our video production work in Romania, see the video production services page, or, if you are also planning paid campaigns, our guide on the best marketing agencies in Romania.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to shoot a commercial in Romania than in Western Europe?
Generally yes. Local crew, equipment rental, locations, accommodation and catering usually cost less than in the UK, Germany or France. Flights for your own team and imported specialist kit cost about the same.
Do commercials qualify for Romania's film cash rebate?
Usually not. The rebate administered by the Film & Cultural Investment Office (OFIC) targets films and series, and published guides to the scheme list commercials as non-eligible. Always check current rules directly with OFIC.
Do Romanian film crews speak English?
Experienced crews in Romania, especially around Bucharest, regularly work on international productions and communicate in English. Ask to speak with your production manager or main contact before you book.
What are the best locations for car commercials in Romania?
The Transfăgărășan and Transalpina mountain roads are the best known, but they are typically open only in summer and early autumn. Bucharest's boulevards and rural roads in Transylvania are year-round alternatives.
Do I need a permit to film in Bucharest?
Filming in public spaces usually requires approval from the city hall or the institution that manages the location, and road closures need police coordination. Drone flights need separate authorisation. A local production partner handles the applications.
Can a Romanian production company also handle editing and ad versions?
Many can. At All In Media, editing, colour, sound, subtitles and cut-downs for TV, YouTube, Meta and TikTok are done in-house, and we can also run the paid campaigns.
Planning a shoot in Romania?
Send us your script or brief and we'll come back with locations, a schedule and a detailed budget.
Call: +40 758 80 20 20 Video production WhatsApp