German Screen Industry Inks Collective Agreement For Actors, Crew

The German film and TV industry have adopted a new landmark collective agreement governing working conditions for actors and crew.

Among the terms covered by the agreement, which will be afforded to over 25,000 freelance workers in the territory, will be reduced working hours, an industry-wide pension scheme, salary increases and the first regulations on the use of AI.

Negotiations between international union UNI Global Union, its local affiliate Ver.di, German actors’ union BFFS and film and TV production association Produzenten Allian lasted a year.

The agreement, which runs until 2027, was finalized on Oct. 12 in Berlin and for the first time includes a provision to reduce the maximum daily working hours to 12, with new bonuses for overtime beyond 10 hours and additional compensation for extended shooting periods. A mandatory pension scheme has also been introduced, with employers committed to contributing 4%.

From May 2025, workers will also be entitled to extra paid days off, compensation for overtime and the introduction of a four-day workweek once per month. The first wage increase of 2.5% will also kick in then, followed by another in Jan. 2026.

“Reduced working hours, more free time, wage increases, a pension plan for film productions, and initial regulations for the use of AI are setting new historical standards for the industry,” said Matthias von Fintel, lead negotiator for Ver.di. “This collective agreement marks the greatest progress for film workers in Germany in decades.”

Johannes Studinger, head of UNI Global Union’s media, entertainment and arts sector added: “This agreement is another step in the global effort to reduce excessive working hours and improve working conditions for media and entertainment professionals. It highlights the power of collective bargaining and reinforces our shared commitment to securing fair wages, better working conditions and social protections for freelancers.”