Budget AnalysisFebruary 1, 202422 min read

Turkey vs Europe Filming CostsComplete Budget Comparison 2024

Comprehensive analysis revealing how filming in Turkey can save 40-60% on production costs compared to traditional European destinations, while maintaining international quality standards and accessing unique locations unavailable elsewhere.

By CAVEA Budget Analysis Team
Turkey vs Europe filming cost comparison budget analysis
40-60%
Cost Savings
€500K
Average Savings
15+
Cost Categories
2024
Current Rates

Executive Summary: Why Turkey Makes Financial Sense

40-60% Cost Reduction

Significant savings across all production categories while maintaining quality

Unique Locations

Access to settings unavailable in traditional European markets

International Standards

Netflix, HBO, BBC-approved crews and facilities

Detailed Cost Breakdown by Category

Line-by-line comparison across major European markets

Crew & Personnel

Save 50-65%

Highly skilled English-speaking crews, international experience

Turkey 🇹🇷

director:€1,200/day
dop:€800/day
producer:€600/day
assistants:€150-300/day
general:€100-250/day

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

director:€2,500/day
dop:€1,800/day
producer:€1,400/day
assistants:€400-600/day
general:€300-500/day

France 🇫🇷

director:€2,200/day
dop:€1,600/day
producer:€1,200/day
assistants:€350-550/day
general:€280-450/day

Germany 🇩🇪

director:€2,400/day
dop:€1,700/day
producer:€1,300/day
assistants:€380-580/day
general:€320-480/day

Equipment Rental

Save 40-55%

Latest ARRI, RED, Sony equipment maintained to international standards

Turkey 🇹🇷

camera:€800-1,200/day
lighting:€500-800/day
grip:€300-500/day
sound:€200-350/day
transport:€150-250/day

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

camera:€1,800-2,500/day
lighting:€1,200-1,800/day
grip:€700-1,000/day
sound:€450-650/day
transport:€400-600/day

France 🇫🇷

camera:€1,600-2,200/day
lighting:€1,000-1,600/day
grip:€600-900/day
sound:€400-600/day
transport:€350-550/day

Germany 🇩🇪

camera:€1,700-2,400/day
lighting:€1,100-1,700/day
grip:€650-950/day
sound:€420-620/day
transport:€380-580/day

Location Fees

Save 60-75%

Unique locations unavailable elsewhere, government support for international productions

Turkey 🇹🇷

government:€200-500/day
private:€300-800/day
museums:€400-1,000/day
permits:€100-300/permit
security:€150-250/day

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

government:€800-2,000/day
private:€1,200-3,000/day
museums:€1,500-4,000/day
permits:€300-800/permit
security:€400-700/day

France 🇫🇷

government:€700-1,800/day
private:€1,000-2,500/day
museums:€1,200-3,500/day
permits:€250-700/permit
security:€350-600/day

Germany 🇩🇪

government:€750-1,900/day
private:€1,100-2,800/day
museums:€1,400-3,800/day
permits:€280-750/permit
security:€380-650/day

Accommodation

Save 45-60%

Excellent hospitality standards, international hotel chains available

Turkey 🇹🇷

luxury:€150-300/night
mid range:€80-150/night
budget:€40-80/night
apartments:€60-120/night
catering:€25-45/person/day

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

luxury:€400-800/night
mid range:€200-350/night
budget:€100-180/night
apartments:€180-350/night
catering:€60-100/person/day

France 🇫🇷

luxury:€350-700/night
mid range:€180-320/night
budget:€90-160/night
apartments:€160-300/night
catering:€55-90/person/day

Germany 🇩🇪

luxury:€380-750/night
mid range:€190-340/night
budget:€95-170/night
apartments:€170-320/night
catering:€58-95/person/day

Transportation

Save 50-65%

Modern fleet, professional drivers, comprehensive insurance included

Turkey 🇹🇷

local transport:€50-100/day
equipment trucks:€150-250/day
minibuses:€80-150/day
luxury cars:€100-200/day
fuel:€1.20/liter

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

local transport:€150-250/day
equipment trucks:€400-600/day
minibuses:€200-350/day
luxury cars:€250-450/day
fuel:€1.65/liter

France 🇫🇷

local transport:€130-220/day
equipment trucks:€350-550/day
minibuses:€180-320/day
luxury cars:€220-400/day
fuel:€1.60/liter

Germany 🇩🇪

local transport:€140-230/day
equipment trucks:€380-580/day
minibuses:€190-330/day
luxury cars:€240-420/day
fuel:€1.70/liter

Real Production Scenarios & Savings

Complete budget comparisons for different production types

Commercial Shoot (3 days)

15 people

Total Production Costs

Turkey 🇹🇷€28,500
UK 🇬🇧€67,200
France 🇫🇷€58,800
Germany 🇩🇪€62,400

Your Savings with Turkey

vs UK:€38,700 (58%)
vs France:€30,300 (52%)
vs Germany:€33,900 (54%)

Documentary Series (10 days)

8 people

Total Production Costs

Turkey 🇹🇷€35,800
UK 🇬🇧€82,400
France 🇫🇷€74,200
Germany 🇩🇪€78,600

Your Savings with Turkey

vs UK:€46,600 (57%)
vs France:€38,400 (52%)
vs Germany:€42,800 (54%)

Feature Film (30 days)

45 people

Total Production Costs

Turkey 🇹🇷€285,000
UK 🇬🇧€674,000
France 🇫🇷€602,000
Germany 🇩🇪€638,000

Your Savings with Turkey

vs UK:€389,000 (58%)
vs France:€317,000 (53%)
vs Germany:€353,000 (55%)

TV Series (60 days)

35 people

Total Production Costs

Turkey 🇹🇷€420,000
UK 🇬🇧€998,000
France 🇫🇷€889,000
Germany 🇩🇪€943,000

Your Savings with Turkey

vs UK:€578,000 (58%)
vs France:€469,000 (53%)
vs Germany:€523,000 (55%)

Quality vs Cost Analysis

How Turkey maintains international standards while reducing costs

Crew Experience

Turkey

International productions for Netflix, HBO, BBC

Europe Average

Local market focused, limited international exposure

Equipment Standards

Turkey

Latest ARRI, RED, Sony - maintained to broadcast standards

Europe Average

Similar equipment, higher rental costs

Location Diversity

Turkey

Unique locations unavailable elsewhere in Europe

Europe Average

Standard European locations, higher competition

Language Skills

Turkey

Fluent English, multiple European languages

Europe Average

Local language + English

Permit Efficiency

Turkey

Streamlined process, government support

Europe Average

Complex bureaucracy, longer timelines

Cultural Flexibility

Turkey

Bridge between East and West, adaptable

Europe Average

Local cultural norms, less flexibility

Hidden Costs in European Markets

Additional expenses that inflate European production budgets

Union Requirements

Mandatory union crew, higher rates, strict working hours

Budget Impact
+15-25% crew costs
Turkey Advantage
Flexible working arrangements, competitive rates

Location Restrictions

Limited filming hours, noise restrictions, weekend premiums

Budget Impact
+20-30% location costs
Turkey Advantage
More flexible scheduling, government support

Permit Complexity

Multiple agencies, long approval times, consultation fees

Budget Impact
+€5,000-15,000
Turkey Advantage
Streamlined one-stop permit process

Insurance Requirements

Higher coverage requirements, specialized policies

Budget Impact
+€10,000-25,000
Turkey Advantage
Comprehensive coverage at lower rates

Weather Delays

Unpredictable weather, seasonal limitations

Budget Impact
+10-20% schedule buffer
Turkey Advantage
300+ sunny days, predictable weather patterns

Currency Fluctuations

Euro/GBP volatility affects international productions

Budget Impact
+5-15% budget variance
Turkey Advantage
Favorable exchange rates, budget predictability

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