Netherlands Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews

Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in the Netherlands? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.

Filming in the Netherlands

For an introduction to shooting in the Netherlands see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, fringes, premiums, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.

Netherlands Film Locations

The Netherlands is a flat, low-lying northwestern European country known for its windmills, canals, dikes, tulip gardens, farmland, national parks, forests, heathlands, woodlands, sand dunes, beaches, moated castles, star-shaped fort towns, traditional villages, contemporary architecture, museums, churches, football stadiums, fun parks, and vibrant cities. The Rhine River passes through the Netherlands before emptying into the North Sea.

Agricultural film locations include plantations of flowers, sugar beets, potatoes, wheat, pears, mushrooms, truffles, apples and barley. The Netherlands is also known for its dairy farms. Fishing trawlers are available for filming. Energy locations include coal and gas fired power plants, wind power facilities, and a nuclear power plant.

Amsterdam and Rotterdam are the main production centres where crew and equipment are based.

The Netherlands has hosted films including Speak No Evil (2022), Dunkirk (2017), The Windmill Massacre (2016), The Fault in our Stars (2014), Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006), Ocean’s Twelve (2004), Bad Boys II (2003), Buena Vista Social Club (1999), and Diamonds Are Forever (1971).

The country consists of both the European Netherlands and the Caribbean Netherlands. 

European Netherlands

European Netherlands film locations can be divided into the following provinces:

North Holland

This northwestern province is located on the North Sea.

Amsterdam is the capital, the largest city, and main production centre. It is a cosmopolitan city known for its world famous museums, unique modern architecture, canals, bike lanes, leaning buildings, parks, coffee shops, and a vibrant Red Light District. Old world architecture includes the Royal Palace, Dam Square, Oude Kerk, Rijksmuseum, Hermitage Amsterdam, Anne Frank House, Rembrandt House, Cuypers Library, National Maritime Museum, Tropenmuseum, Basilica of Saint Nicholas, Bloemenmarkt, Begijnhof, Oost-Indisch Huis, and the unusual Het Schip apartment building. Unique contemporary architecture includes the Van Gogh Museum designed by Kisho Kurokawa, NEMO Science Museum, Eye Film Museum, Stedelijk Museum, National Holocaust Museum, RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre, REM Eiland, Schiphol Airport, and the Floating Houses of IJburg. Green spaces of note include Vondelpark, Museumplein, Oosterpark, and Hortus Botanicus. Lomanstraat is a unique street that is crossed with large trees. Amsterdam hosted films including The Fault in our Stars (2014), Ocean’s Twelve (2004), Bad Boys II (2003), Buena Vista Social Club (1999), and Diamonds Are Forever (1971). 

Just outside of Amsterdam you can find the following:

The unique Inntel Hotel in Zaandam.

Naarden is a star-shaped fortified city.

Muiderslot castle has a moat.

Johan Cruyff Arena is a football stadium.

Zaanse Schans is a traditional Dutch village with windmills.

The city of Haarlem is known for Teylers Museum, Cathedral of St Bavo, Amsterdamse Poort, and the Vleeshal. Haarlem hosted Ocean’s Twelve (2004).

Marken is a pretty seaside village with traditional wooden houses.

There’s also a great lighthouse located near Marken.

Volendam is a traditional fishing village.

Eierland lighthouse is located on Texel island.

Edam is famous for its cheese.

Aalsmeer is home to the largest flower auction in the world.

Circuit Zandvoort is a motor racing circuit in Zandvoort that hosts the Dutch Formula One Grand Prix.

South Holland

This western province is located on the North Sea.

Rotterdam is a major port city known for De Rotterdam building designed by Rem Koolhaas, Cube House, Central Station, Stadhuis, Markthal Rotterdam, Euromast Tower, Maastunnel, Erasmus Bridge, Europort, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Maritime Museum, Witte Huis, and De Kuip stadium.

Just outside of Rotterdam you can find Book Mountain in Spijkenisse, and the Windmills of Kinderdijk.

The Hague is known as the home of international law and arbitration. It is home to the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Europol, and approximately 200 other international governmental organisations. Other film locations of note in The Hague include Mauritshuis Museum, Palace Noordeinde, Binnenhof parliament building, Peace Palace, Nieuwe Church, Duivenvoorde Castle, Kunstmuseum Den Haag, Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, and Scheveningen Pier. The Louwman Museum has historic cars, coaches, and motorcycles.

The European Space Research and Technology Centre is located in Noordwijk.

Keukenhof, known for its tulips, is one of Europe’s largest gardens.

Lisse is known for its tulip farms which offer spectacular, colourful aerial shots.

Delft is a pretty town known for its Town Hall and Nieuwe Kerk.

Leiden is known for the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Corpus Museum, and its floating Christmas market.

Groningen

Located on the Wadden Sea, Groningen is the most northeastern province.

The city of Groningen is known for the Martinitoren clock tower, and the futuristic Groninger Museum.

Fort Bourtange is a star-shaped fort.

The Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre is located in Pieterburen.

Menkemaborg is a beautiful mansion with a moat.

Friesland

Located on the Wadden Sea, Friesland is a northern province.

De Alde Feanen National Park is known for its marshes, lakes, forests, peat, and meadows.

The West Frisian Islands are a remote location in the North Sea known for their beaches and lighthouses.

Brandaris Lighthouse is located near Terschelling.

The Afsluitdijk is a major dam and causeway connecting the provinces of Friesland and North Holland.

Drenthe

Drenthe is a northeastern province.

Dwingelderveld National Park is a heathland area.

TT Circuit Assen is a motorsport race track in Assen.

The Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope and Dwingeloo Radio Observatory are both located near Assen.

The Windmill Massacre (2016) filmed the windmill location in Ruinen.

Flevoland

Flevoland is a centrally located province.

Oostvaardersplassen is a rewilding nature reserve.

Marina Park Aquaronde in Lemmer is a unique holiday community surrounded by water.

Walibi Holland is a funpark in this area.

Urk lighthouse is a quaint film location.

Dunkirk (2017) filmed on IJsselmeer near Urk.

Utrecht

Utrecht is a centrally located province.

Utrecht is a university city known for its medieval old town and canals. Locations of note include the Dom Tower, St Martin’s Cathedral, Centraal Museum, and Railway Museum. Central Station Bicycle Parking can hold more than 12,500 bikes.

The province is known for its castles including De Haar Castle, Soestdijk Palace, Castle Groeneveld, and Zuylen Castle.

Huis Doorn is a manor house in Doorn.

Amersfoort is known for Koppelpoort medieval gate, and Kunsthal KAdE.

Nationaal Militair Museum is located in Soest.

The Pyramid of Austerlitz was built by Napoleon’s soldiers.

Overijssel

Overijssel is located in the east of the country.

Giethoorn is a road-free village where people instead get around by canals.

AdventurePark Hellendoorn is a funpark in this area.

Zwolle is known for the Museum de Fundatie, Historical Center Overijssel, and Sassenpoort.

Deventer is known for St Lebuïnus Church, and Museum De Waag.

Twickel Castle is a moated castle.

Gelderland

Gelderland is located in the east of the country.

Hoge Veluwe National Park is known for its heathlands, sand dunes, and woodlands and the deers and diversity of birdlife that call it home.

Aqueduct Veluwemeer is a 25-meter long navigable aqueduct located over Veluwemeer lake in Harderwijk.

Castles in this province include Doorwerth Castle, Loevestein Castle, Cannenburgh Castle, Ruurlo Castle, Middachten Castle, Doornenburg Castle, Rosendael Park & Castle, Ammersoyen Castle, Amerongen Castle, and Het Loo Palace & Gardens.

Country Residence Museum Jachthuis Sint Hubertus is a hunting lodge and garden.

Huis Zypendaal is a pretty country house and garden.

The Netherlands Open Air Museum is located in Arnhem. It is known for its antique houses, farms and factories from different parts of the Netherlands.

Radio Kootwijk is an abandoned Art Deco building.

FiftyTwoDegrees, located in Nijmegen, is designed by Francine Houben.

Zeeland

Zeeland is a coastal province located in the southwest of the country.

Delta Works is a complex series of dikes that protect the Netherlands from flooding.

Middelburg is known for its Town Hall, Middelburg Abbey, and Zeeuws Museum.

Lighthouse North Head and Breskens Lighthouse are located in this province.

Borssele Nuclear Power Plant is located in Borssele.

North Brabant

North Brabant is located in the south of the country.

The star-shaped fortified cities of Heusden and Willemstad are located in North Brabant.

‘s-Hertogenbosch is known for St John’s Cathedral, Noordbrabants Museum, and Bolwoningen futuristic ball houses.

Eindhoven is known for Van Abbemuseum, Philips Museum, St Catherine’s Church, Van Gogh Bicycle Path, and Evoluon is a UFO-shaped building.

Efteling is a fantasy-themed amusement park in Kaatsheuvel.

Castles with moats in this province include Heeswijk Castle, and Bouvigne Castle.

De Biesbosch National Park is one of Europe’s last freshwater tidal wetlands.

Limburg

Limburg is located in the southeast of the country.

Unlike the rest of this flat low-lying country, the far south of the Netherlands becomes hilly.

Maastricht is a beautiful university town located in the far south of the country. It is known for its medieval-era architecture and vibrant cultural scene. Film locations of note include the City Hall, Basilica of Saint Servatius, Basilica of Our Lady, and Bonnefanten Museum.

National Park De Maasduinen is known for its forests and heathlands.

Valkenburg is known for its castle ruins and Christmas market.

Hoensbroek Castle is also located in this province.

Labyrint Drielandenpunt is a shrub maze.

Caribbean Netherlands

The Caribbean Netherlands consists of three special municipalities:

Bonaire

The island of Bonaire is located in the southern Caribbean, near Aruba and Curaçao. Bonaire lies outside Hurricane Alley. The island is known for its year-round sunny weather, dry cactus strewn landscapes, salt lakes, white sand beaches, and coral reefs ideal for underwater photography.

Solar salt works has extensive salt pans. Salt is collected into giant pyramids and then loaded onto ships by a salt pier conveyor.

The capital is Kralendijk is known for its Dutch colonial architecture.

Bonaire National Marine Park includes the waters around Bonaire from the mangroves of Lac Bay, to the island’s surrounding coral reefs, to open water at a depth of 60 metres.

Washington Slagbaai National Park is known for its cactus landscapes, turtle nesting beaches, and salt lakes that are home to pink flamingos.

Gotomeer salt water lagoon, and Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary are also locations to photograph pink flamingos.

Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire is another interesting film location.

Klein Bonaire is a small uninhabited islet known for its white sands and turquoise waters.

Beaches of note include Sorobon Beach, Bachelor’s Beach, Playa Chikitu, Te Amo Beach, Lac Cai Beach, and Palu di Mangel Beach.

Lighthouses of note include Lacre Punt Lighthouse, and Boca Spelonk Lighthouse.

The Old Slave Huts are an interesting location which once housed enslaved Africans.

Sint Eustatius

Sint Eustatius is a tiny island located northwest of Saint Kitts. Tropical storms and hurricanes are common. Sint Eustatius is a verdant volcanic island.

Oranjestad is the capital.

All of the beaches have black sand.

Quill National Park is home to a variety of birdlife. The Quill is an extinct volcano.

Sint Eustatius National Marine Park encircles the island to a depth of 30 metres.

F. D. Roosevelt Airport is a small Caribbean airport available for filming.

Saba

Saba is a spectacular verdant volcanic island located northwest of Sint Eustatius. Tropical storms and hurricanes are common.

The Bottom is the capital.

The coastline is mostly rocky cliffs.

Saba Marine Park encircles the island to a depth of 60 metres. Saba has deep wall dives close to shore which offer a wealth of underwater photography options.

Mount Scenery is the highest peak on the island. The area is a cloud forest.

Saba is known for its wild orchids.

Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is a spectacular landing and takeoff location with strong crosswinds.

The Netherlands Film Location Permits

Filming larger, more complex shoots in Amsterdam requires more lead time for permitting than small footprint guerrilla-style shoots.

Shoots that do not affect public use of space do not require permits, however you must register the shoot with the city district who will contact you within 2 working days to clear that your shoot does not conflict with any other activities.

Permits are required for productions that wish to close a road or path, place film props on public areas, play loud music, have at least 100 members of cast and crew at location, film at night between 10pm and 7am, film on the water, use special effects or weapons, film vehicle-to-vehicle, use camera drones, or use public transport. Permits can take 2 to 3 weeks to process depending on the specifics.

Please contact us for location specific information.

When To Shoot?

The Netherlands has a maritime climate. Winter (December to February) is mild with occasional frost and snowfall. Spring (March to May) is dry, with tulip fields in full bloom. Summer (June to August) is relatively mild and the best time to film for weather. Fall (September to November) is rainy. For monthly weather statistics please see here. 

Dutch festivals and events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:

• New Year’s Dive at Scheveningen.
• Holland Indoor Flower Festival in February.
• Keukenhof flower gardens have tulips in full bloom in March.
• King’s Day celebrations blanket the country in Orange in April.
• Music festivals such as Sensations Amsterdam (July) and Lowlands (August).
• SAIL Amsterdam takes place every 5 years in August.
• Dutch Formula One Grand Prix in Zandvoort in September.
• Maastricht Christmas Market in November / December.
• Saint Nicholas Day falls on December 5th, when Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet bring children Christmas presents.

Most Dutch are non-religious. Christianity is the largest religion so those holidays are observed.

Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in the Netherlands.

Unique Local Stories

Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.

If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.

If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.

Costs & Tax Incentives

Costs. The Netherlands is a member of the EU and trades in the Euro. Local costs are similar to what you might expect in developed Western European countries such as England or Germany. Our locally based fixers and service producers will negotiate deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget. See here for the current VAT rate.

Tax Incentives. The Netherlands Film Production Incentive offers a cash rebate of up to 30% for high-end TV projects, or up to 35% for films.

Film Crew & Talent

Crews. The Netherlands has an impressive pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Crews all speak fluent English. There is a good depth of very experienced, creative and technical crews. Amsterdam’s close proximity to other major European production centres allows easy access to those crews should you ever need to look further.

Contact us if you are looking for a Amsterdam or Rotterdam based director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew in the Netherlands.

Talent is non-union. Day rates and buyouts are negotiable.

Dutch is the official language. English is widely spoken across the country.

The Netherlands is a multicultural country offering featured talent of all looks. The Dutch are the largest ethnic group. Local minorities include other Europeans, Indonesians, Surinamese, Moroccans, Turks, and Caribbean people. An interesting tidbit: Dutch people are on average the tallest in the world. The Netherlands’ close proximity to other major European production centres allows easy access to cast those pools of talent should you ever need to look further.

Fringes. No hidden extras. Crew members look after their own taxes.

Premiums. The Netherlands has a 10 hour shooting day (from call to wrap). Overtime is charged at time and a half for the next 4 hours and double time after that. Night shoots are charged 1 extra day for sleeping out. No holiday or weekend premiums apply.

Netherlands Film Equipment

Equipment. The Netherlands has an extensive supply of locally based standard and specialized camera, grip and lighting equipment including the Russian Arm. For productions looking to bring in film equipment the Netherlands is an ATA carnet country.

Communications. Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.

Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.

For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.

Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production

Art department and set construction. Very experienced and talented. Set construction is on the expensive side certainly compared to Eastern Europe prices. Jelier & Schaaf specialise in design and art department production.

Studios. The Netherlands has a great variety of options including sound studios and water tank facilities.

Backlots. At present there are no backlots in the Netherlands.

Post Production. The Netherlands has state of the art post production facilities offering VFX, 3D, editing, grading, sound design, and lab.

Visas & Work Permits

The Netherlands is a member of the Schengen Area. Only certain countries need visas and there is no need for work permits. Film crews travelling on US passports can enter visa-free and stay for up to 90 days. Contact your local Dutch embassy / representative for more information.

Transport & Accommodation

Transportation Infrastructure is all up to known and expected world standards. The Netherlands is serviced well by many international airlines and regional budget carriers. The Netherlands is a very small country so domestic travel is best achieved by road. Peak hours including weekday mornings and evenings are best avoided as traffic becomes quite congested.

Accommodation. Contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Amsterdam. For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments. Hotels of note include:

Hotel Dylan
Hotel Vondel
Hotel Roemer
Hotel De Hallen

Final Notes

Safety. The Netherlands is a very safe and reliable filming centre. See here for up to date travel advice.

Down Time. Amsterdam is a great centre for arts and culture. Explore.

Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in the Netherlands, please see below:

Hire Netherlands Production Support & Shooting Crew

If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in the Netherlands, please contact us.

If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in the Netherlands, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.

We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.