Creative Industries

Film and TV production permissions and insurance

Legal requirements and permissions for film and TV production in the UK - including location permissions, council filming fees, insurance requirements, and drone filming regulations.

UK-wide
Guide summary

You must get permission for every place you film, including from the landowner and local council. You also need public liability insurance of at least £5 million. If you use drones, you must register with the CAA and have a qualified pilot.

  • Get written permission from every location owner
  • Contact local council for filming on public land
  • Get public liability insurance (£5m to £10m minimum)
  • Get employer's liability insurance (£5m) if you have crew
  • Apply to council highways for road closure permits
  • Register drones with CAA (£11.79 annual fee)
  • Drone pilot must have valid flyer ID or qualification
  • Council fees range from £0 to £500+ per day
  • London boroughs charge £300 to £1000+ per day
  • Inform police for stunts, weapons, or large crowds
On this page
UK-wide

Related guides in Planning Permission

Planning your production

Film and TV production in the UK doesn't require a single national licence, but you must obtain multiple location-specific permissions and maintain appropriate insurance.

Failing to secure proper permissions can result in production shutdowns, legal claims, and invalidated insurance coverage.

Insurance requirements for production

Nearly all filming locations (councils, private landowners, studios) require proof of insurance before granting permission. You'll typically need three types of insurance:

  • Public Liability Insurance: £5m to £10m minimum - covers injury to members of the public or damage to property during filming
  • Employer's Liability Insurance: £5m minimum - legally required if you employ crew or cast (even on freelance contracts in some cases)
  • Equipment Insurance: Covers cameras, lighting, and other production equipment against theft, damage, or loss

Location permissions

You need written permission from the owner of every location where you film:

  • Public spaces: Contact the local council's filming office (most councils have dedicated film offices)
  • Private property: Obtain signed location agreements from property owners
  • Roads and traffic: Contact council highways department for road closure permits if filming affects traffic
  • Police notification: Inform local police if filming involves weapons, stunts, large crowds, or traffic disruption

Council filming fees

Councils charge fees for filming on public land, roads, and council-owned property. Fees vary widely:

  • Small productions: £0 to £200 per day (some councils waive fees for student/charity productions)
  • Commercial productions: £200 to £500+ per day
  • London boroughs: Typically higher fees (£300 to £1,000+ per day for major boroughs)
  • Additional charges: Road closures, parking suspensions, and traffic management can add thousands to costs

Drone filming regulations

If you're filming with drones, separate Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations apply:

  • Register your drone with the CAA (£11.79 annual fee for operators)
  • Pilot must hold valid flyer ID (free online test) or commercial drone pilot qualification for commercial work
  • Follow airspace restrictions (no-fly zones near airports, military sites, congested areas)
  • Obtain specific permissions for flights in controlled airspace or over people
  • Maintain visual line of sight and follow distance rules from people and property

Production permissions and regulations