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
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- This permit is issued by Northern Ireland Screen, a national body covering ni. Applications go direct to them rather than the local council.
- How long is the lead time?
- Lead time varies. UK councils typically ask for 5–10 working days for a straightforward filming permit, but road closures, large crews, or night shoots may need 3–4 weeks. Contact the team early.
- What's the typical cost?
- Northern Ireland Screen quotes filming fees case-by-case based on scale, duration, and public-realm impact. Small documentary crews are often charged an admin fee only; feature-film shoots involving road closures cost meaningfully more.
- What does this permit cover?
- The permit typically covers streets, parks, civic buildings, outdoor. Private property and other national-body land (e.g. Crown Estate, National Trust, Royal Parks) may need separate consent.
- How do I apply?
- Apply via Northern Ireland Screen's filming page at https://www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk/filming-in-northern-ireland/. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.