New Financing Programme for the Audiovisual and Film Industry – SCRI.PT

SÉRVULO PUBLICATIONS 24 Feb 2026

On 19 February 2026, Decree-Law No. 57/2026 was published, establishing the Financing Programme for the Audiovisual and Film Industry (SCRI.PT).

This new programme arises in a context of transition in the public support mechanisms for the sector, as, in 2026, reimbursements of European funds under PT2020 will come to an end. With the cessation of these reimbursements, the current support programme for cinema and audiovisual production (2018–2024), based on the Cash Rebate model, will no longer be financially sustainable.

Recognising the strategic relevance of the audiovisual and film sector — namely due to its impact on culture, the economy and tourism — the Government considered it essential to ensure the continuity of public support instruments. To this end, SCRI.PT maintains and strengthens the existing incentive mechanisms, including Cash Rebate and Cash Refund (the latter aimed at larger-scale productions), thereby creating a more stable, predictable and ambitious financing framework.

The main objectives of SCRI.PT are:

• To support the development and internationalisation of audiovisual and film productions carried out in Portugal;
• To attract large foreign productions to national territory;
• To strengthen the audiovisual and media sector;
• To contribute to the positioning of Portugal as a destination for audiovisual production. 

SCRI.PT has an overall budget of €350 million for the period from 2026 to 2029, structured as follows:

1. Non-repayable grants – €200 million

Through the Audiovisual and Film Production Incentive Scheme (RIPAC), managed by ICA, I.P., with an annual allocation of €50 million, distributed as follows:

• €15 million per year for medium-scale projects;
• €20 million per year for large-scale projects;
• €15 million per year preferably allocated to large productions and, on a residual basis, to the generality of projects covered by RIPAC.

2. Credit instruments – €150 million

Through a Mutual Guarantee Credit Line to support financing, to be established by the Portuguese Development Bank (Banco Português de Fomento), which will operate as a complementary financing instrument for the supported productions. 

The final decision on applications lies with a Selection Committee, composed of three experts appointed by order of the members of Government responsible for the areas of media, tourism and culture. The management and implementation of the incentives is entrusted to ICA, I.P. The specific requirements for access to the incentives, as well as the criteria for application and project selection, will be defined in a Ministerial Order, yet to be published. 

Rodrigo Barreiros Ferreira | rbf@servulo.com