How to film in Madrid

Permits are managed by the Filming Authorizations Bureau of the Madrid City Council. Depending on the nature of the production, there are two possible types of permits:

Announced action

• Intended for small film crews not exceeding 15 people, with a camera and tripod but without electrotechnical equipment, which does not impede the movement of vehicles or pedestrians, does not use special effects, and does not entail the need to involve elements of urban furniture and/or infrastructure.

• There is no deadline for submitting such requests, but they must be submitted before shooting begins.

• Cost: free of charge.

• Online processing (recommended): If you have a digital certificate or are able to use the cl@ve system, you can complete the process directly online using the online form.

• In-person processing: Please fill in the form and present it at any public registry office (you do not have to fill it in at the Filming Authorisations Bureau itself, you can do so at the offices of Línea Madrid, at any other municipal registry office, or at any other registry office of the General State Administration, the Autonomous Communities and Town Councils located in Spanish territory).

• The document obtained after registering online or in person will serve as the filming permit, so we recommend that you always carry a digital or hard copy with you at all times during filming.

Public Thoroughfare Occupation Permit

• Intended for medium and large film crews of more than 15 people who require the installation of electrotechnical equipment, the reservation of parking spaces or the interruption of vehicular or pedestrian traffic for filming purposes, the use of special effects or the involvement of elements of urban furniture and/or infrastructure.

• Applications must be submitted at least 7 working days in advance for general cases on the public highway 15 working days in advance when parks and gardens are to be occupied or when special permission is required from the Districts (Salamanca and Centro).

• Cost: Issuance of administrative documents (fixed fee: €48,65) + occupation of the public highway (€0.58 per linear metre per day).

• Online processing:
  • Access the Application Form for a Public Thoroughfare Occupation Permit, select “Online Processing” (you will need a digital certificate or access to the cl@ve system) and fill it in.
  • Next, fill in the Self-payment of Fees for the Issuance of Administrative Documents form and pay the administrative fee (€48.65) using the online form.

• In-person processing:
  • To submit the form, you have to make an appointment at the Filming Authorizations Bureau. You can also do so at any municipal registry office or at the registry offices of other Public Administrations and by any other means provided for in article 16.4 of Law 39/2015, of 1 October, on the Common Administrative Procedure of Public Administrations.
  • You must also pay the administrative fee (€48.65) at any cooperating bank, presenting the corresponding Self-payment form.

• Attached documentation:
  • Map of the urban area in which the film shoot is to take place, indicating the parking requirements, the action to be filmed, the location of the technical equipment and any other expected space reservations. The use of our Municipal Cartography Viewer is recommended. (This tool allows you to measure distances and surface areas on the map).

• Collecting the permit:
  • Once the application has been processed, the Bureau will review the application and contact the applicant by email to inform him or her that they can collect the permit in person at the Filming Authorizations Bureau, by prior appointment. If the permit requires a space reservation, the applicant must also collect the “promissory notes” and then pay them at any cooperating bank. He or she must then present them in person at the Bureau in order to collect the final permit.
  • Once the permit has been approved signage must be posted to indicate that filming is to take place (in cases where space reservation is required) at least 48 hours prior to filming.

• All applications to reserve parking spaces for technical vehicles on the public highway in the City of Madrid must be made by means of the Public Thoroughfare Occupation Permit.

• Technical vehicles, provided they are part of the same shooting, may not occupy more than 50 linear metres in the case of parallel parking and 40 metres in the case of perpendicular parking, unless there is a duly accredited reason that justifies a higher occupancy. 

• Spaces will be reserved for technical vehicles only. All other production vehicles are excluded from the permit and must use the city’s general parking areas and comply with the regulations in force, or use any of the municipal or private parking lots provided by the city.

• You can request parking space reservations for productions where the film set is inside a building or complex (indicate this by ticking the appropriate box: “Indoors”).

• Only the use of the city’s ordinary parking spaces will be authorised Parking spaces intended for people with reduced mobility and loading and unloading areas, which are duly marked in the city, are excluded. When spaces are requested in areas of Madrid covered by the Regulated Parking Service (SER), preference will be given to the reservation of parking spaces in the Blue Zone.

• The reserved area must be identified by means of temporary signs put in place at least 48 hours before the highway is to be occupied, in accordance with the instructions of the Ordinance Regulating the Signalling and Placing of Cones for the Occupation of the Public Highway for the Performance of Works and Roadworks. Such signs must indicate the exact day on which the reserved space is to be occupied and the reason why it is to be occupied. A list of the registration numbers of the vehicles parked in the aforementioned reserved spaces must be submitted to the Municipal Police at the time the signs are put in place.

• The centre of Madrid is a restricted access zone referred to as a Low Emission Special Protection Zone (ZBEDEP). You can find further information in the following drop-down menu.

• The centre of Madrid has two Low Emission Special Protection Zones (ZBEDEP), Centro and Plaza Elíptica. Vehicle access to these zones is restricted. Access depends on the vehicle’s registration number and environmental label. For further information, please visit the Madrid 360 website.

• Historical vehicles: vehicles and motorcycles that have been classified as historical by the Directorate General of Traffic may enter the Low Emission Special Protection Zone (ZBEDEP) of the Centro District. Historical vehicles over fifty years old and motorcycles that have been granted historical status, are also allowed to park on the city’s streets. Formalities: None. The Administrative Agency will check the vehicle’s registration number ex officio.

• If you are filming under a Public Thoroughfare Occupation Permit (see the above section, “Filming on the Public Thoroughfare and Parks” for further information) you may apply for authorisation to allow vehicles involved in the production to enter the zone. You should indicate this in the relevant section of the application form, and then follow this procedure:
  • Within no more than 48 hours after filming (please note that the office is not open on weekends or public holidays), please send one email per permit to ofrodajes@madrid.es, stating the correct number of the paid filming permit and the dates granted.
  • Attach to the email a text document (.txt) with UTF-8 encoding WITHOUT BOM, indicating in each line the registration number and the date of the day of the authorised film shoot, separating each one by a semicolon. If a vehicle has entered the zone on different days, include a line for each day of access. For example:

2843ZDA;20190528
2843ZDA;20190529
4387TBW;20190528
4387TBW;20190529
7244BBN;20190528
2233NNS;20190529

• ZBEDEP Centro District permits created using this application do not exempt the driver from complying with the Madrid ZBE access requirements. Please check that the vehicle complies with these requirements, as you may be penalised even though you have created a permit. Vintage vehicles involved in film shoots that do not have an environmental label must be transported by crane or on a lorry to access the Low Emissions Zone.

• In the case of film shoots carried out under an Announced Action permit and other production activities not covered by Public Thoroughfare Occupation Permit (such as pre-production activities), vehicle access is governed by the general criteria for access to these zones. It is recommended that film crews use the city’s public transport system (metro, bus, suburban) and available taxi or ride-hailing services. If it is essential to use vehicles to transport materials, the production team should arrange for an access permit by following one of the general access criteria set out in the regulations.

All film shoots that require traffic to be interrupted on the public highway must apply for a Public Thoroughfare Occupation Permit (see “Filming on the Public Thoroughfare and Parks” above for further information). In all cases, those responsible must ensure that the movement of public transport, security and emergency services is not interrupted or impeded, in addition to guaranteeing access to and egress from garages.

Road closures of less than 3 minutes:

• A minimum of 15 minutes must elapse between each road closure.

• They must be carried out in such a way as not to disrupt the normal flow of traffic.

• No additional costs are incurred.

• Road closures must only take place during the actual recording, with the named streets being kept open to traffic for the rest of the time.

Road closures of more than 3 minutes and complete road closures:

• Alternative detours around the closed-off area must be signposted.

• A detailed map of the road closure and the alternative detours around the closed-off area must be attached.

• Authorisation for such road closures will entail costs calculated on the basis of the linear metres of the section of the public highway affected by the closure, using the rate applicable to the reservation of space for filming purposes (€0.58 per linear metre per day or fraction of a day).

• Production companies in possession of a Public Thoroughfare Occupation Permit (see “Filming on the Public Thoroughfare and Parks” above for further information) may notify the need to remove or intervene on elements of urban furniture and infrastructure (lighting, fountains, traffic signs, etc.), indicating the required actions in the “Observations” section of the application form. The notification of an Announced Action does not under any circumstances authorise intervention on the public highway.

• In addition to obtaining the permit, the production company must contact each of the City Council departments responsible for the different elements and services required. These departments will provide them with information on the available possibilities and the costs associated with the intervention. Please attach a copy of the application form and detailed information on the requirements.

• If the service is managed by a concessionary company, the relevant municipal department will contact the company and then inform the interested party of the terms and conditions and any fees that may apply.

• For further information on how to process applications and on the municipal departments involved, please contact the Madrid Film Office by email: info@madridfilmoffice.com.

• Productions that require the use of moving platforms on the public highway (camera insert cars etc.) must apply for a Public Thoroughfare Occupation Permit (see “Filming on the Public Thoroughfare and Parks” above for further information).

• You should attach a detailed map of the route the platform will follow on the public highway and, if necessary, the base from which the camera insert car will depart and to which it will return.

• Occupation of the public highway by platforms does not entail any additional cost.

• The dimensions of the camera insert car and any attachments must not exceed those of a traffic lane. 

Filming from helicopters, drones etc. is regulated by Civil Aviation regulations, and production companies must have appropriate permits.

The body responsible for regulating and controlling civil aviation safety in Spain is the State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA). Any aerial filming that involves the use of an aircraft must be carried out by an AESA-approved company and pilot. This company is responsible for ensuring that the flight is authorised and that it runs smoothly.

Filming from a helicopter or aeroplane

• Aerial photography from an aeroplane or helicopter is considered a specialised commercial operation. All flights must adhere to certain minimum altitude requirements and this may have a bearing on the aerial shots you wish to record. The AESA aerial operations website provides further information on regulations, operator licensing and other issues of interest in relation to this type of operation.

• It is important to bear in mind that Madrid’s aerial filming regulations are specifically limited to certain flight areas. Therefore, before you locate and determine the exact characteristics and route of the flight you wish to carry out, you are advised to obtain all the relevant information from the AESA (Spanish Aviation Authority). In the ENAIRE Insignia application, you can consult the areas over which flights are prohibited or restricted.

Filming with drones

• As with other aircraft, there is a legal framework in place to regulate the activities of the remotely piloted aircraft sector, known as drones or RPA, and to allow such operations to take place safely. The drone section of the AESA website contains information on national and EU regulations.

• These regulations stipulate that, in order to take images with a remotely piloted aircraft, it is mandatory to use an approved company and pilot, who are responsible for obtaining the necessary permits and for operating flights in urban areas. The AESA website provides information on the minimum requirements for flying any drone as of 31 December 2020.

• Notwithstanding these aerial permits, any production company filming on the public highway or in a municipal park in Madrid must apply for a Public Thoroughfare Occupation Permit (see “Filming on the Public Thoroughfare and Parks” above for further information) specifying and attaching maps of where the drone will take off and land. A fee equivalent to 50 square metres of pavement security will be charged for each location and each day of filming.

• Due to the density of the population in the capital and the nature of Madrid’s airspace, which contains several civil and military airports, heliports and aerodromes, as well as Restricted Photographic Flight Zones (RVF), significant restrictions are imposed on aircraft operations within the municipality. The ENAIRE drone application allows you to consult the areas where there are bans or restrictions on drone flights, as well as dangerous areas and other warnings.

Filming with tethered balloons

• An alternative method of aerial filming and recording is to use balloons or zeppelins that are connected to the ground by a cable, known as tethered balloons or zeppelins. As they are controlled from the ground and are not free-floating, they are not considered to be aircraft. As a result, it is easier to obtain permits to use them. However, production companies should be aware that certain altitude and movement restrictions apply, and that their operational characteristics preclude certain shots and movements available to drones.

• In these cases restrictions on taking images in Restricted Photographic Flight Zones (RVF) also apply, and the relevant report from the Air Command is required Although no specific permit is required to fly and operate them, it is advisable to request information from AENA, AESA or ENAIRE and to inform them as to where the flight is going to take place so that they can certify and confirm that it will not affect what they consider to be the easement areas of airports and heliports.

• If the balloon or zeppelin is to be deployed from the public highway or a municipal park, you must apply for a Public Thoroughfare Occupation Permit (see “Filming on the Public Thoroughfare and Parks” above for further information), indicating where it is to be assembled and operated.

Airports

• Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport: Applications are handled by the Management and Communications Department of the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport Press Office. They have an official tariff guide that includes a section on audiovisual filming. Due to security constraints at the airport, it is important that the airport management be informed in detail of all filming requirements so that they can assess their feasibility. Filming will be confined to specific areas of the airport so as not to disrupt normal airport activities.

• Madrid-Cuatro Vientos Airport: Descriptive photographs, relevant information and the contact details for the department responsible for managing authorisations for the use of space or infrastructure for filming can be found in the locations catalogue. Several private airlines operate from the airport, and it is possible to hire aircraft or facilities for filming.

Trains

• ADIF manages Madrid’s two main train stations, Madrid Puerta de Atocha and Madrid Chamartín, as well as two logistics centres (Madrid Abroñigal and Vicálvaro). The ADIF filming website contains a catalogue with the spaces it manages, a list of tariffs and the application form for filming in these spaces.

• RENFE manages the City of Madrid’s short, medium and long-distance train stations as well as its suburban or ‘Cercanías’ stations. Should you wish to film in these facilities, please contact Renfe’s Press Office.

• Madrid also has a Railway Museum located in the old Delicias Station. A large number of vintage locomotives and carriages, which are often used in audiovisual productions, are preserved here. To film in these facilities, please contact the Commercial Department of the Spanish Railway Foundation.

 Metro

• Metro Madrid has a vast network of infrastructure and facilities, including stations, tunnels, trains and ancillary areas of great interest to the industry.

• It has a commercial catalogue of locations for audiovisual filming available in Spanish and English.

• The commercial department is responsible for arranging the reservation of spaces in Metro Madrid stations or carriages: LD_SerComercial@metromadrid.es.

• The metro facilities are the direct responsibility of the Community of Madrid. For further information, please contact the Film Madrid – Film Promotion Office of the Community of Madrid.

Buses

• The Municipal Transport Company (EMT) is responsible for managing the city’s buses and all spaces related to the service. It has a variety of premises, warehouses, old workshops, modern workshops and office space available for filming. It also has historical buses. Applications for filming should be addressed to the EMT Publicity Department via the form available on their website or by email to publicidad@emtmadrid.es.

• Madrid also has a long-distance bus station, the Madrid South Bus Station (Estación Sur de Autobuses de Madrid). Should you wish to film in its facilities, please contact info@estaciondeautobuses.com.

Motorways and roads

• The M-30, including the ring of tunnels and junctions in the southern section is under the direct jurisdiction of Madrid City Council. Should you wish to film on this road, you will have to apply for a Public Highway Occupation Permit (see “Filming on the Public Highway and in Municipal Parks” above for more information).

• The M-45 and all three-digit ‘M’ roads are under the direct jurisdiction of the Community of Madrid. Any application to film on these motorways must be made in writing and submitted to the Registry of the Community of Madrid. For more information on availability and conditions, please contact Film Madrid – Film Promotion Office of the Community of Madrid.

• All other roads, whether they are radial motorways (A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, A-6) or access and ring road motorways (all two-digit ‘M’ roads except for the M-30 and the M-45) , are part of the State Road Network. On the website of the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) you will find a form to apply for permission to film on these roads. You can carry out the procedure online via the DGT website or in person at any of the Local or Provincial Traffic Authority Headquarters (see contact details for the Madrid Provincial Traffic Authority).

Public car parks

• The Municipal Transport Company (EMT) manages a large number of unrestricted access, resident and mixed public car parks. Applications for filming should be addressed to the EMT Publicity Department via the form available on their website or by email to publicidad@emtmadrid.es.

Principle of minimum impact

• All film shoots that take place on the public highway or in municipal parks must adhere to the principle of minimum impact to ensure that they occupy as little space as possible and cause as little inconvenience as possible to other citizens and organisations.

• They must comply with the limits on noise levels emitted to the outside environment set out in article 15 of the Madrid City Council Ordinance on Protection against Noise and Thermal Pollution, depending on the type of area in which filming takes place (non-residential, residential, industrial, etc.). Noise levels must be kept as low as possible, especially when filming at night or in the morning, in an effort to reduce disturbances and ensure the rest of local residents.

• All necessary precautions must be taken to prevent damage to roads, furnishings and wooded areas where the filming is carried out. The production company will be responsible for the cost of any such damage. If any damage were to occur, the competent authority must be notified immediately.

Signposting and notifications

• Whenever filming involves the partial occupation of the public highway, the production team must notify in advance the residents and especially the shopkeepers in the area who may be affected by the film shoot, explaining the project to them in person, the possible inconveniences that it may cause them, and the solutions proposed to minimise these adverse effects, while showing respect and generosity in all cases.

• Information signs must be put in place to demarcate work areas and to inform pedestrians and drivers of possible traffic disruption in the area, ensuring that pedestrians can move safely around the filming area and that there are no obstacles that could inconvenience people with reduced mobility (the elderly, the visually impaired, wheelchair users).

• Avoid blocking access to surrounding buildings, garages and premises and ensure that the activity does not cause any permanent inconvenience to pedestrians, residents and shopkeepers in the area. If filming entails blocking an access, then those affected must be appropriately notified before and during filming, and transit will be facilitated when the cameras are not filming.

Safety measures

• All cables and materials must be kept in an orderly and safe manner. They must be placed so as to cause the least inconvenience to passers-by and the general public; we recommend that they be laid at the edges of the public highway, such as the strips where the road intersects with the pavement, or the pavement with the buildings. If they cross stairs, cables should be tied down with tape to prevent the risk of tripping. If cables have to run across a busy pavement, it should be placed at a right angle under a piece of rubber with adhesive tape visible to the public with appropriate lighting or safety signposting. It is essential to consult with the local authority if you wish to run cables through public buildings or urban furniture.

• The production company must surround all structures located on the public highway (cranes, platforms, light sources or similar infrastructure) with an appropriately marked safety perimeter, while also ensuring that all structures are properly secured and looked after at all times and are only used by staff trained in the use of the corresponding equipment.

• If lighting equipment is used, the production company must also ensure that the placement of this equipment does not dazzle drivers passing through the area, and that the lights are not aimed directly at houses and businesses without the express permission of their owners. In the case of filming at night, the production company must provide the affected residents with opaque screens for the windows where the lighting required by the filming may cause direct disturbance. All generators must be located as far away as possible from any residential property.

• When filming on the road and when filming requires road closures for vehicles or pedestrians, the entire crew must be visible and wear reflective vests.

Cleaning and catering

• The production team must leave the locations they use in perfect condition at the end of each day’s filming. All waste produced by the production process (props, disposable items, etc.) must be properly disposed of, and you must remember to remove the informational signs and posters used to inform residents of the production, together with the adhesives used to attach cables and other materials. Should containers be needed for the waste that may be generated during filming, these can be requested on a temporary basis from the General Directorate of Cleaning and Waste Services.

• Outdoor catering on the public highway in Madrid is prohibited under all circumstances. If a production is carried out on the public highway, the production team must arrange to take their meals in the restaurants in the area of the shoot or find an enclosed space nearby where they can provide catering for the technical and artistic staff.

Filming at night

• When filming at night, special attention must be paid to any possible inconvenience to local residents and shopkeepers, especially in residential areas. If filming extends well into the night, the residents of the area must be explicitly made aware of this and informed as to the noise that may be generated.

• All activities are subject to the Madrid City Council’s Ordinance on the Protection against Noise and Thermal Pollution, and complaints from residents may result in the local authority imposing a ban on filming. To avoid conflicts, we recommend that all scenes that could generate noise above conversation levels are shot before 11pm, especially those that involve simulated explosions.

• If it is necessary to use bright sources of light that could disturb residents, opaque screens must be provided to protect the windows affected. If such lighting is likely to endanger traffic on the public thoroughfare by causing reflections that could dazzle drivers, the hazard must be adequately signposted on the streets leading to the location.

Safety zones

• When filming on the public highway with any type of permit, it should be borne in mind that many buildings that house governmental, parliamentary, judicial or diplomatic bodies are considered security zones, along with their surrounding areas. In order to facilitate the filming process, it is advisable to inform the relevant communications departments of any filming.

Civil liability insurance policy

• All production companies that film in the City of Madrid, especially in its public spaces, must have civil liability insurance for themselves and for third parties in the event of accidents and damage to property or equipment. We recommend that you take out a specific insurance policy for each production.

Any child under the age of 16 taking part in an audiovisual work in the Community of Madrid in a leading or supporting role must be duly authorised by the Directorate-General for Labour of the Ministry of Economy, Employment and Competitiveness of the Community of Madrid, through the Subdirectorate-General for Programming and Labour Organisation .

Terms and Conditions

• Persons under 16 years of age may participate in public performances, provided that such participation does not endanger their physical health or their professional and personal training, in accordance with Royal Decree 1435/1985 , which regulates the special employment relationship of performers in public performances.

• The participation of children under the age of 16 in public performances must be authorised by the Labour Authority prior to and as a prerequisite for the conclusion of the corresponding contract.

• Under no circumstances will performances be authorised if they involve:
  • Night work (between 10pm and 6am).
  • Overtime work.
  • Working days in excess of 8 hours of actual work. A minimum rest period of 30 minutes per day must be guaranteed. Every effort should be made to ensure that the work does not coincide with the child’s school hours.
  • More than 5 days’ work per week. The weekly rest period shall be two consecutive days.

Procedure

• Receipt of the application entails the opening of a file, the processing of which requires the express request of the child’s parents or legal representatives, as well as their declaration that the performance to which it refers will not be detrimental to the child’s physical well-being or to their professional and personal training.

• The Directorate-General for Employment shall issue a ruling authorising or refusing the child’s participation in the performance requested. If it is authorised, the ruling shall specify what the performance is and what the child’s participation in it entails.

• In the light of the documentation submitted and if the circumstances of the specific case so warrant, a report may be requested from the Labour Inspectorate.

• The documentation required with the application includes the following documents:
  • Affidavits from the parents/guardian, the production company and the consent of the child (in the case of children over the age of 7).
  • The child’s last school report or a favourable report from the child’s teacher.
  • A brief description of the work and the scenes in which the child will be involved.
  • An occupational risk assessment of the work to be carried out by the children.

Processing

• The application can be processed electronically via the e-government portal of the Community of Madrid or in person at a registry office by downloading the application for authorisation during the online process.

• Electronic processing, through the authorisation procedure for the participation of children under the age of 16 in public events (recommended). What do I need to use e-government services? Refer to the Processing Guide.

• The time limit for the notification of the express decision shall be that laid down in the rules governing the procedure in question. If the rules governing the procedure do not provide for such a time limit, it shall be three months.

• Nevertheless, the Directorate-General for Employment shall take a decision before the date indicated in the application for the child’s intervention, provided that the application is received at least five working days before that date. In the case of projects with special needs, it is advisable to consult the Subdirectorate-General for Programming and Labour Organisation before you submit the application for authorisation.

Pursuant to Act 4/2016, of 22 July, on the Protection of Domestic Animals of the Community of Madrid, , in order to film with animals it is necessary:

• To have the animal’s identification and health documents in order.

• To have a civil liability insurance policy for the animal.

• To obtain authorisation from the Town Council of the municipality in which the activity is to be carried out.

In the case of the City of Madrid, authorisations are processed by the Madrid City Council through the Directorate of ‘Madrid Salud’, the Autonomous Health Authority of Madrid. The application must be submitted using the form: Authorisation for the Participation of Animals in Events and Filming (minimum period: 15 days).

In addition to the above authorisation, you will also need a permit to transport animals issued by the Community of Madrid through the Directorate-General of Agriculture and Livestock. The application must be submitted using the form: Authorisation and Registration of Carriers and Vehicles for the Transport of Live Animals through the territory of the European Union.

Visas

Within the framework of the “Spain, Audiovisual Hub of Europe” plan, included in the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, the Agreement of the Council of Ministers of 2 November 2021 establishes a new entry and residence procedure for professionals from third countries working in the audiovisual sector. It established three channels through which foreign professionals working in the audiovisual sector can enter and reside in Spain:

• The first channel is for audiovisual professionals who intend to stay in Spain for up to 90 days within any period of 180 days. Such professionals shall be exempt from the obligation to obtain a work permit and a visa if they come from a country that is exempt from such visa requirements under EU regulations.

• The second channel is aimed at those audiovisual professionals who intend to stay in Spain for more than 90 days, up to a maximum of 180 days. In these cases, foreigners can obtain a visa that will allow them to stay and work in Spain for the duration of its validity. In addition, foreigners who initially entered Spain for a stay of 90 days within any 180-day period may, exceptionally, apply for a residence permit in the audiovisual sector for a maximum period of 180 days.

• The third channel involves the creation of a residence permit designed as a single permit for those foreigners who intend to reside and work in the audiovisual sector for more than 180 days.

All three entry and residence channels allow artists or professionals to stay in Spain with their immediate family members. This new procedure also allows under-age artists or professionals to enter Spain and work in the audiovisual sector accompanied by their parents.

Customs

• The European Union acts as a Customs Union, whereby its 27 member countries form a single territory for customs purposes. As a result, there are no fiscal borders and no controls or formalities associated with the transport of material between EU countries. It is however advisable to declare whatever equipment is being transported to the relevant customs office to ensure that it is legally covered.

• When transporting equipment to or from non-EU countries, it is advisable to use the ATA Carnet, a document used to transfer goods and equipment for professional work and which replaces state export and import documents. The ATA Carnet streamlines customs procedures, reduces costs and enables the use of the same document to travel to several countries. The ATA Carnet is processed by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce. The equipment must be covered by travel insurance and a valued inventory must be drawn up.

• For further information:
  • Exports: ICEX
  • Imports to the EU: Trade Helpdesk

• If they are permanently located on the public highway, buildings or monuments protected by the Law on Intellectual Property may be freely reproduced, distributed and communicated by means of paintings, drawings, photographs and audiovisual processes (art. 35.2) provided that such exploitation does not unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the author thereof and is not detrimental to the normal exploitation of the work ( 40 bis).

• If there are recognisable brand logos on the façade or if the building itself is registered as a trademark, the Trademark Act does not preclude the recording of the external image of the building, but it does impose a series of restrictions in the event of confusion, association, improper use or detriment to the registered trademark (art. 34). Professionals are therefore advised to thoroughly review these restrictions before using the images.

The use of replicas of the official uniforms or vehicles of the different security forces during a film shoot requires the authorisation of the relevant force. This authorisation, as well as any request for cooperation or participation in the shoot, must be requested directly from the force in question:

• Civil Guard: to request authorisation to use the “Guardia Civil” trademark, please follow the instructions given on their website.

• National Police: contact the Communications Office of the Directorate-General of Police.

• Madrid Municipal Police: contact the Headquarters of the Madrid Municipal Police Force.

• Madrid Fire Brigade: contact the City of Madrid Fire Brigade Headquarters.

• SAMUR and Civil Protection of Madrid: contact the Subdirectorate-General of SAMUR – Civil Protection.

Advertising and events on the event highway

• Any public or private event that involves the temporary occupation of the public highway must be authorised by the corresponding Municipal District Council. The procedure is different from that of audiovisual filming.

• For more information, please see the Madrid Convention Bureau’s guide to “Events on the Public Highway”.

Outdoor advertising

• Permits for filming on the public highway allow audiovisual productions to be carried out in public spaces, including the filming of advertisements, but they do not authorise the display of explicit advertising on the public highway or events involving the participation of the public. In order to carry out such activities, the relevant permits must be obtained in each case. When these activities are accompanied by audiovisual filming, an application must also be submitted for the corresponding filming permit.

• Outdoor advertising is any advertising that is visible from the public highway and from public spaces and is likely to attract the attention of people in open spaces or who are walking on the public highway, driving, whether in a private or public means of transport and, in general, anyone who is in or passing through places or areas of common use.

• Outdoor advertising is regulated by the Ordinance Governing Outdoor Advertising of 2009.

• For more information on procedures and conditions, please see the Frequently Asked Questions about Outdoor Advertising page and/or send your enquiry to the relevant District Council of the Municipality in which you wish to carry out the activity.

• Any private use of the local public domain for the purposes of promotions, communication actions or advertising campaigns of a commercial nature for a given brand, product or service, by means of marketing activities in the public domain (street marketing), entails the payment of a fee. Please fill in the form: Special advertising activities fee.

Production companies and audiovisual professionals wishing to film in any of the facilities belonging to Madrid Destino should contact the Madrid Film Office at info@madridfilmoffice.com.

General conditions

• To consult the fees and the terms and conditions for filming and recording in Madrid Destino facilities, please click here.

• Once the availability of the space has been confirmed, it will take at least 15 days to process any request to use a space owned by Madrid Destino.

• The use of the spaces is subject to compatibility with the activities of the centre in question.

• Interested parties must submit a report detailing their proposal and the scope of the filming.

Plan of Measures to Promote the Audiovisual Sector and Encourage Filming in the City of Madrid 2022

• On 26 May 2022, within the framework of the Plan of Measures to Promote the Audiovisual Sector and Encourage Filming in the City of Madrid which the Mayor of Madrid presented to the industry on 18 April, the Board of Directors of Madrid Destino Cultura Turismo y Negocio approved a reduction in the rate set for the use of certain spaces by the audiovisual sector.

• The following discounts will apply:
  • Up to one hundred percent (100%) for feature films, series, documentaries, short films (which receive support from the ICAA, the Community of Madrid or the Madrid City Council) and video clips (if the artist is distributed by a record company).
  • Up to ninety percent (90%) for entertainment programmes for television.
  • Up to fifty percent (50%) for advertising productions (commercials and advertising photography).

• These discounts are incompatible with any other discounts that may be applicable.

• The use of the spaces is subject to compatibility with the activities of the centre in question.

• All filming must be supervised and approved by the Madrid Film Office, which must submit a report to the department responsible for the company’s commercial team, detailing the proposal and scope of the filming (so that they can process any resulting discounts and contracts).

• Outdoor areas are open to the public and may not be closed to the public in their entirety. In any case, the use of such spaces must be respected, and all restrictions in terms of noise pollution and other applicable regulations must be complied with.

• Any expenses associated with the filming, such as surveillance, cleaning, security, supplies or any other expenses, will be paid by the Producer/Organiser of the filming. To this end, Madrid Destino will present the corresponding itemised invoice for any expenses incurred as a result of the use of the space.

• The Promoters/Organisers must take out an insurance policy to cover the risks inherent to the use of the space.

• Users will be held responsible for any deterioration, breakage or general damage caused to the facilities, elements and materials caused by misuse or negligent or fraudulent conduct, and will be liable for the payment of the corresponding repair costs, as well as for any possible damages caused.

• The production company must include the logos of the Madrid Film Office and the Madrid City Council in the film credits. If this is not possible, the Madrid Film Office and any other department involved must be mentioned in the acknowledgements section of the film.

• The production company agrees to provide the Madrid Film Office with at least 5 images of the filming carried out in each space rented by Madrid Destino, clearly showing the space itself and the production team at work in it. Furthermore, the production company agrees to provide the Madrid Film Office with other images of the filming of the project in different outdoor and indoor locations in the City of Madrid All this material will be used exclusively to promote the city as a filming location.

To film in facilities managed by the Community of Madrid in the city or in locations in other municipalities in the region, please contact the Film Madrid – Film Promotion Office of the Community of Madrid.