International filming has become a regular part of the audiovisual industry. Shooting abroad opens creative and logistical opportunities, but it also raises an important question that is sometimes underestimated: what happens to health and safety responsibilities once a production leaves Italy?
For Italian production companies, the answer is clear. When workers are employed under Italian contracts, the employer’s duty of care continues to apply, regardless of where filming takes place. Health and safety obligations do not stop at the border.
A European Framework That Travels Abroad with the Production
Italian health and safety legislation is based on a European framework designed to ensure a consistent level of worker protection across member states. For this reason, when filming within the European Union, productions are required to comply with local health and safety regulations, as these are built on the same shared principles.
In practice, this means that risk management, site organisation and safety roles are generally addressed through local compliance. However, some responsibilities remain firmly with the Italian employer, particularly those related to health surveillance, training, and worker information. These elements must always be ensured, even when local systems are in place.
Outside the EU: Different Contexts, Same Responsibility
When filming outside the European Union, the situation depends on the regulatory framework of the host country. In countries with established health and safety legislation, local rules apply as long as they align with the core principles of Italian and European law. In countries where such regulations are limited or absent, Italian productions must apply the fundamental principles of the Italian safety system, adapting them to local technical standards such as fire safety, building systems, seismic provisions and first aid arrangements.
What remains constant is the responsibility of the production company. Risk assessment, emergency organisation, first aid measures, fire prevention and medical oversight must always be planned and documented in a way that protects workers effectively.
Coordination with Local Service Companies
Many international shoots rely on local service companies. While this is often essential for practical reasons, it does not remove the need for coordination. A structured exchange of information between the Italian production and the local service provider is key to avoiding gaps in safety management.
Clear coordination allows safety measures, emergency procedures and responsibilities to be aligned, ensuring that everyone on set is working under a shared and coherent system.
Planning Safety Abroad Before Departure
International productions run smoothly when health and safety planning starts early. Understanding the legal framework of the destination country, preparing the right documentation and defining responsibilities before departure helps avoid delays, misunderstandings and last-minute corrections on set.
At Framinia Services, we support audiovisual productions filming abroad by helping translate legal obligations into practical, workable safety solutions. Our goal is to ensure that compliance supports production, rather than slowing it down.