Guides

Booking dubbing voice actors: process, fees and contracts

CueFlow editorial team · Last updated: 18 October 2026

In short

A studio requests the voice actor for a date, the actor accepts, and both put fee, usage rights and cancellation terms in writing. No German law sets a fee for self-employed voice actors; it is agreed freely, often per take, hour or day. Companies that commission self-employed artists usually also pay the artists' social security levy (Künstlersozialabgabe).

How a booking works

It starts with the role, the dates and the scope: how many takes, on which days, in which studio. With these details a request goes to the voice actor. Once the actor accepts, the date is booked; before that a studio can put a non-binding hold on the period.

In CueFlow every request has a reply deadline. A reminder goes out before it runs out; if the request stays unanswered, the date is freed automatically. Holds last 24 hours to 7 days by default, 14 days at most.

Fees: agreed freely

No law sets a fee for self-employed voice actors. Common arrangements are a base fee plus an amount per take, hourly or day rates, or flat fees, with surcharges for weekends or nights, for example. Rate, unit and surcharges should be settled before the recording.

German copyright law gives performers a claim to equitable remuneration for granting usage rights (Section 32 in conjunction with Section 79(2a) UrhG). If the agreed fee is not equitable, the voice actor can ask for the contract to be adjusted. This does not apply where a collective agreement sets the pay (Section 32(4) UrhG).

What belongs in the contract

Voice actors are performers within the meaning of Section 73 UrhG. The contract should name the permitted uses explicitly, for example cinema, TV, streaming or advertising, together with territories and periods. Without such a list, the scope of the rights follows the purpose of the contract (Section 31(5) in conjunction with Section 79(2a) UrhG).

Add the fee, dates, cancellation terms and who pays travel costs. Whether someone is self-employed or an employee depends on the work actually done, not on what the contract calls it (Section 7 SGB IV). If in doubt, the German pension insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung) decides in its status determination procedure (Section 7a SGB IV).

Do not forget the artists' social levy

Companies that commission self-employed artists usually pay the Künstlersozialabgabe on the fees paid. The rate is 4.9 percent in 2026 (2025: 5.0 percent). More in the guide on the artists' social insurance fund.