Photo: Emmi Korhonen / Lehtikuva
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The Finnish government has launched preparations to impose a financial obligation on streaming platforms. The funds will be channelled to domestic film and television production.
A working group has been established to draft the proposal. The ministries of transport and communications and education and culture confirmed the move in a joint statement. The initiative follows a change in EU legislation that allows member states to introduce such levies. Similar mechanisms are already in place in 17 EU countries, including Denmark and Norway.
The working group is expected to present its proposal by the end of June 2026. The government aims to submit draft legislation in 2026.
Mari-Leena Talvitie, minister of science and culture, said in the announcement that the levy would bring “much-needed” additional revenue to the sector.
“These funds are necessary to realise domestic stories and strengthen our audiovisual industry,” Talvitie stated.
Streaming services affected by the new tax have not yet been named. The proposed mechanism would target providers operating in the Finnish market, regardless of their country of origin.
The move comes as the film sector faces a prolonged funding crisis. The original 2025 budget framework included €7.8 million in cuts to arts and culture subsidies. Most of these reductions affected film-related funding channels, particularly the Finnish Film Foundation.
Following criticism, the government adjusted the proposed cuts. The draft budget presented to Parliament last week reduced the figure to approximately €5.5 million. Despite the revision, sector representatives remain concerned.
Lasse Saarinen, director of the Finnish Film Foundation, told STT in early September that the new levy would not solve the sector’s immediate problems. He said any funding flow resulting from the tax would not reach production companies before 2028.
Organisations representing creative professionals also reacted. Luovat ry, which represents individuals and businesses in the creative industries, said the cuts still represent a significant blow to audiovisual production. It warned that the reductions would harm international competitiveness and employment within the sector.
The group said the proposed streaming levy could help in the longer term but would not fill the immediate funding gap caused by recent budget cuts.
Audiovisual sector organisations have long called for structural funding reform. Industry bodies argue that the current system is vulnerable to short-term political decisions. They have also expressed concern over the increasing reliance on non-Finnish platforms to distribute local content.
The government’s working group will consider various models already in use across Europe. In Denmark, for example, streaming services contribute a percentage of their local turnover to a cultural fund. Norway operates a similar system.
The Finnish model has not yet been specified. The group’s mandate includes preparing a full legislative framework, impact assessment, and an implementation timetable. Any final decision will be subject to parliamentary approval.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
