Find locations in Hamburg

Permits for international crews

International crews apply through the same offices as German productions: the district offices for pavements, paths and green spaces, and the local police stations for the carriageway and no-parking zones. The Film Commission of MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein is the first point of contact.

Lead times

The MOIN Film Commission asks for at least two weeks' lead time for applications to the authorities.

German Federal Film Fund (DFFF)

The DFFF supports feature films that are wholly or partly realised in Germany. DFFF I is for producers of national and international (co-)productions, DFFF II for production service providers. Since 2025 the grant is a uniform 30 per cent of the approved German production costs.

German Motion Picture Fund (GMPF)

The GMPF supports high-end series and films that are not intended for theatrical release, with up to 30 per cent of eligible German production costs. Applicants need a registered office or branch in Germany and a film or series produced in the last seven years.

Apply before you book

Both funds are administered by the German Federal Film Board (FFA). There are no fixed deadlines, but applications must arrive at least six weeks before principal photography starts, which is earlier than any city permit. Check the current funding volume with the FFA before you plan with it.

Harbor loft with brick and freight elevator

Raw, high-ceiling interior for commercials, music videos and editorials with a harbor feel, brick surfaces and flexible set zones.

Needs: freight elevator, loading zone, daylight windows, blackout, power data and sound-risk notes.

Speicherstadt counting-house with Hanseatic texture

Characterful Hamburg look for corporate, period-adjacent and dialogue scenes with timber, brick and waterside context.

Needs: floor, elevator, heritage rules, delivery windows, furniture and sightlines.

Oberhafen hall for an industrial production look

Larger hall location for vehicles, product film, music video and industrial worlds with serious logistics.

Needs: ceiling height, roller door, floor load, three-phase power, heat, reverberation, dust and noise windows.

Alster villa with garden and representative rooms

Premium residential look for family, luxury, finance and quiet dialogue scenes with indoor and outdoor areas.

Needs: approved rooms, garden access, parking, neighbors, floor protection and crew limit.

Elbe suburbs house with driveway and private garden

Quiet residential location for family, premium and neighborhood scenes where outdoor space and access increase production value.

Needs: driveway, street width, parking, garden rules, interior rooms and night-shoot limits.

Schanze Altbau apartment with local texture

Urban apartment look for contemporary stories, young characters and everyday scenes with a strong neighborhood feel.

Needs: floor, stair width, elevator, daylight timing, house rules and neighbor notes.

Modern HafenCity apartment with skyline view

Clean modern interior for business, lifestyle and premium dialogue scenes with a Hamburg edge.

Needs: view directions, reflective surfaces, parking garage, concierge, building access and property management.

Kontorhaus office for agency and production worlds

Controlled office and agency look for corporate, start-up, editorial and administrative scenes.

Needs: usable rooms, exclusive times, Wi-Fi, power circuits, glass surfaces and acoustic data.

Restaurant and bar for dialogue and lifestyle scenes

Hospitality look for dialogue, food, music video and night scenes with dining room, bar and optional kitchen.

Needs: buyout, downtime, kitchen, outdoor area, staffing, fire safety and time windows.

Daylight atelier as an indoor production location

Bright interior for photo, interview and smaller commercials that can work like a studio while staying curated as a filming location.

Needs: daylight, backdrops, blackout, ceiling height, parking and a clear separation from photo-studio searches.

Private location or public space

Private filming locations need owner approval, location fees, usage scope and clear rules for set dressing, lighting, sound and night shoots.

Load-in and access

Access belongs on the card: ground-level entry, freight elevator, loading zone, van or truck parking and the route to set.

Power and technical setup

Power data must be visible before inquiry: household power, three-phase power, fuses, cable runs, Wi-Fi and generator options.

Crew, support rooms and neighbours

Crew size, holding rooms, make-up, wardrobe, toilets, catering space, neighborhood noise and time limits decide whether the location is usable.