Filming in Northern Ireland: permits guide
Northern Ireland Screen coordinates filming support across NI, where public roads are managed by DfI Roads rather than individual councils.
Who issues permits
Streets in Northern Ireland are managed by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Roads rather than individual councils — a key difference from the rest of the UK. Belfast City Council handles its own parks and council-owned land. Other councils across Northern Ireland manage permissions for their own assets. Northern Ireland Screen can facilitate introductions to all relevant bodies.
Process
Contact Northern Ireland Screen’s production support team in early pre-production. For Belfast city filming, Belfast City Council is the first call. For rural or coastal locations, Northern Ireland Screen will connect productions to the relevant council and DfI Roads. Road closures in NI require DfI Roads consent, often with longer lead times than comparable mainland UK processes.
Fees
Street permits through DfI Roads follow a published schedule. Council land and parks carry their own hire fees. Northern Ireland Screen’s advisory service is free.
What’s covered
All of Northern Ireland — Belfast and other cities through their councils, public roads and highways via DfI Roads, the Causeway Coast and Glens (home to many major productions), the Mourne Mountains, County Fermanagh lakelands, and rural locations across all six counties.
Typical restrictions
DfI Roads operates independently of councils — street filming and road access must be negotiated separately from any council land permission. The Giant’s Causeway is managed by the National Trust NI and has its own permit process. Historic Environment Division consent is required for filming at scheduled monuments.
Contact
Apply through Northern Ireland Screen → northernirelandscreen.co.uk