Finance
Germany to require streaming platforms to invest in local production
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 5, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 5, 2026
Quick Summary
Germany requires streaming platforms to invest 8% of their revenue in local productions, doubling film industry funding to boost its filmmaking appeal.
Germany Mandates Streaming Services to Invest in Local Productions
Germany's New Investment Regulations for Streaming Services
BERLIN, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Germany will introduce investment requirements for streaming platforms and TV broadcasters and nearly double government funding for the domestic film industry to boost its appeal as a film-making hub, the culture ministry said on Thursday.
Impact on Streaming Platforms and Broadcasters
"This is not a symbol, but a real investment stimulus: for jobs, value creation, and creative excellence," Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer said in a statement, a week before the German capital welcomes industry players for the Berlin Film Festival.
Government Funding Increase for Film Production
Streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon, as well as major broadcasters, will be obliged to reinvest at least 8% of the annual revenue they earn in Germany back into the local industry.
Expected Legislative Changes and Penalties
However, the measures state that if the streamers and broadcasters opt to invest 12% or more, they will be exempt from complex regulations obliging them to, for example, produce films in the German language.
While German production has enjoyed a surge thanks to demand from streaming platforms, the sector has also struggled in recent years with rising labour, energy and materials costs.
With the measures, Germany, one of Europe's largest streaming markets, will join at least a dozen other European countries including France and Italy that now obligate streamers to invest in domestic production.
In addition, the government has agreed to increase funding for film production to 250 million euros ($295.2 million) a year, nearly double the previous level.
"Now the ball is in the court of the streamers and broadcasters on the one hand, and the producers on the other," said Weimer.
According to German media, a corresponding law is expected to be approved by the cabinet before early April. It is not yet clear what, if any, penalties might be levied on streamers if they do not comply with the proposed regulations.
($1 = 0.8470 euros)
(Reporting by Miranda Murray; Editing by Jan Harvey)
Key Takeaways
- •Germany mandates streaming services to invest in local productions.
- •Streaming platforms must reinvest 8% of their German revenue.
- •Increased government funding for the film industry to 250 million euros.
- •Exemptions for platforms investing 12% or more in local content.
- •Germany joins other European countries with similar regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Germany to require streaming platforms to invest in local production
1What are investment requirements?
Investment requirements are regulations that mandate companies, such as streaming platforms, to allocate a certain percentage of their revenue towards local production or services.
2What is local production?
Local production refers to the creation of films, television shows, or other media content within a specific country or region, often to support local economies and cultures.
3What are streaming platforms?
Streaming platforms are online services that deliver video and audio content to users via the internet, allowing them to watch or listen on-demand.
4What is a regulatory exemption?
A regulatory exemption is a provision that allows certain entities to bypass specific regulations under certain conditions, often to encourage higher investment or compliance.
