Film locations in NRW for regional production searches
Sets, studios, lofts and photo locations across Cologne, Düsseldorf, the Ruhr area, Bonn, Wuppertal and more NRW production cities, comparable in one place.
North Rhine-Westphalia offers a huge variety of motifs in a small area: studios, industrial halls, lofts, villas, apartments and lost places from the Rhineland to the Ruhr. Compare locations across NRW by motif and region and clear permits and terms directly with the host.
Available locations
What to check in a filming location
Regional choice
Across NRW it pays to compare several production cities so you see more than just Cologne motifs.
Production-specific facts
Check shootable area, ceiling height, access, power, parking, the sound situation and any day/night restrictions.
Usage and rights
Clarify private permission, commercial image rights, the use of exterior and public areas, and cancellation terms.
NRW as a filming region: variety and logistics
Few regions in Germany bundle so many different motifs over such short distances as NRW. The Rhineland delivers urban apartments, studios and lofts; the Ruhr a unique heritage of industrial halls, collieries and lost places; the Münster and Sauerland villas, farms and natural backdrops. If your motif is flexible, regional search noticeably widens your selection and lets you optimise by travel rather than just by city.
Filming permits in NRW are issued at municipal level, so fees and procedures differ noticeably by city or municipality. Shoots on private property only need the owner's consent; for public space you apply to the respective municipality. The NRW Film Commission of the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW helps with orientation, location scouting and contact with authorities. For larger shoots, plan lead time for applications and possible closures.
On an NRW-wide shoot, logistics decide whether the shoot day runs smoothly. Clarify travel and parking for gear vehicles, the power situation in the space and loading access early. For industrial spaces especially, there are often dedicated requirements for safety and fire protection, and these are things you arrange organisationally with the host and, where relevant, the authorities, not items the platform bills. Ask specifically what you need to organise yourself on site.
What does a filming location in NRW cost?
Day rates vary widely by motif, region and use, and one shooting day is roughly a month of conventional rent for comparable space. Depending on the shoot, municipal fees for filming permits in public space are added. As a rough guide:
- Apartment / small space
- from €800/day
- Loft, studio or villa
- €1,500–3,000/day
- Industrial hall / large space
- €3,000–6,000/day
Indicative ranges from typical marketplace listings and publicly available municipal fees. The actual rental price is set by the host, permit fees by the respective city or municipality, and these differ noticeably across NRW.
What affects the price
- Motif and size as well as the region within NRW.
- Filming permit in public space, with fees varying by municipality.
- Crew size, shoot duration and set-up/strike days.
- Travel, parking for gear vehicles and power/special use.
Production and permit guidance
NRW productions often cross multiple city offices and private owners. Use official NRW sources for regional orientation and city-specific permits for public-space shoots.
Regional shortlist
NRW searches should compare Cologne, Düsseldorf, the Ruhr area, Bonn and Wuppertal by visual fit and production logistics.
Clarify the permit route
Municipally issued filming permits differ by city - clarify early whether your shoot needs private owner approval, a city permit office or an NRW Film Commission contact, and for road closures plan weeks rather than days.
Check booking readiness
Before enquiring, what counts is the day rate, availability, usage windows and house rules. State your shoot dates, team size and any set-up/strike days up front so the host can make a firm offer.
Related pages
Cologne production locations for studios, lofts, homes, bars and special shoot locations.
Regional NRW studio inventory for film, photo, video and advertising productions.
Regional indoor photo locations and production-ready photo spots in NRW.
Large industrial and warehouse-style NRW locations for production use.
Regional NRW loft locations for film, photo and content production.
Browse locations by city and motif beyond NRW.
Do you rent out a filming location?
List your location or studio as a filming location and reach productions searching specifically for motif, floor area and access in your region, with enquiries that actually fit your space.
