Why Productions Keep Choosing Malta: Incentives, Infrastructure, and Mediterranean Locations

Malta has positioned itself as a go-to destination for large-scale international film and TV productions, drawing shoots with a combination of financial incentives, diverse locations, and established production infrastructure.

The island nation offers a cash rebate of up to 40% on qualifying expenditure for foreign productions, one of the more competitive rates in Europe. Productions also benefit from Malta’s variety of built environments — medieval architecture, harbors, desert-adjacent landscapes, and period streetscapes — that can double for locations across the Mediterranean, Middle East, and beyond.

Notable productions have used Malta’s facilities and backlot infrastructure at the Mediterranean Film Studios, which includes one of the world’s largest outdoor water tanks, making it particularly attractive for naval or maritime sequences.

For US-based producers considering international co-productions or runaway productions, Malta’s English-speaking workforce, EU membership, and relatively straightforward permitting process reduce logistical friction compared to other European locations. The country also has a growing local crew base, though larger productions typically supplement with imported department heads.

The trade-off: Malta is a small island, so large unit moves, equipment sourcing, and accommodation for big crews require advance planning. Productions relying on volume of local extras or highly specialized local vendors may find the talent pool limited.

For location scouts and line producers evaluating European alternatives to UK, Eastern Europe, or Spain, Malta’s incentive structure and location versatility make it worth a serious look — particularly for period projects or anything requiring water work.