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Filming Permits Spain Made Simple
We Navigate the Bureaucracy
Getting film permits in Spain? We've been navigating Spanish bureaucracy since 2008, from simple street permits to complex UNESCO site authorizations. Standard municipal permits take about 15 working days, while heritage sites or natural parks need 30-45 days minimum.
Get your permit quoteWe cover all of Spain: Madrid • Barcelona • Valencia • Seville • Bilbao • Malaga • Canary Islands • Balearic Islands • Every Regions
15+ Years in the Video Production Business
200+ Successful Projects
100% Permit Acquisition
Here's What you're Actually Dealing With
Let's be honest, Spain's permit requirements can be overwhelming. After 15+ years of handling permits for international productions, we've learned that every municipality has its own quirks and requirements.
The reality of filming permits in Spain:
- Even putting a tripod on a sidewalk requires paperwork
- Heritage sites have their own complicated approval process
- Insurance requirements vary wildly between cities
- Everything needs to be submitted in Spanish
- Deadlines are strict and there's little flexibility
The good news? We know exactly how to navigate this system.
Spain's Permit System: What We've Learned
Over the years, we've mapped out Spain's permit hierarchy. Here's how it actually works.
Municipal Permits (Ocupación de la Vía Pública)
The foundation of everything. You need this for any equipment on public streets. Yes, even a tripod. Processing takes about 15 working days and costs depend on the location. Barcelona's film office is particularly well-organized; smaller municipalities can be... more challenging.
Traffic Department Permits
When your shoot affects traffic flow, you need additional permits from regional traffic authorities. This adds 20-30 working days to your timeline and additional fees depending on the scope of disruption. The paperwork here gets complex fast.
Heritage and Cultural Sites
This is where things get more complex. Major heritage sites and museums have their own approval processes beyond standard municipal permits. Each location sets its own rules for commercial filming, some may allow it with advance booking, others may restrict it entirely. Processing times and fees vary dramatically depending on the specific site and their policies.
UNESCO World Heritage sites and major tourist attractions require special consideration due to visitor management and conservation concerns. We work directly with site management to understand current policies and requirements.
Coastal Filming
Beaches seem simple but they're not. You need municipal permits for areas above the shoreline, coastal department permits for the beach itself, and environmental permits if it's a protected area. Some beach shoots require three separate permits.
Drone Operations
AESA (Spanish Aviation Safety Agency) handles these. Processing takes 10-15 days, and you need a licensed operator and detailed flight plans. No overflying highways without additional traffic department approval.
Environmental and Private Areas
Protected areas, even private ones, require environmental permits from regional authorities. Many lakes and rivers are completely off-limits due to pest control or bird protection.
Why International Productions Choose Us
We Know the System
Since 2008, we've secured permits for BBC, Discovery, EA Sports, and hundreds of international productions. We've built relationships with film offices across Spain and understand exactly how each region operates.
English Communication
Complete communication in English eliminates the language barriers that often delay international productions. No Google Translate confusion or missed deadlines.
Nationwide Coverage
Whether you're filming at Guggenheim Bilbao, Park Güell Barcelona, or during Semana Santa in Seville, we handle permits with the same expertise nationwide.
What We Handle for You
At Camera Crew Spain, we've streamlined the entire permit acquisition process. Here's what's included:
- Complete permit application preparation and submission
- Transparent coordination of all municipal and regional permit fees. No hidden costs or unrealistic "all-inclusive" promises.
- Civil liability insurance coordination when required
- Complete Spanish-language documentation
- Direct communication with local authorities
- Regular status updates in English
- On-set support when authorities show up during filming
- Emergency contact throughout your shoot
We work with location scouting and production logistics to ensure every aspect of your Spanish production runs smoothly.
How We Handle Your Production Permits
Quick Assessment
(24-48 hours)
Step 1Share your shooting locations and dates. We'll analyze what permits you need and give you realistic timelines. No surprises later.
Documentation Prep
(2-5 days)
Step 2Our team prepares all applications in Spanish, coordinates insurance certificates, and handles technical documentation. You don't need to worry about translation errors or missing forms.
Submission and Follow-up
Step 3We submit everything and stay on top of processing times:
Municipal permits: 15 working days
Heritage sites: 30-45 days
Protected areas: 30-60 days
Complex multi-location shoots: 45+ days
Delivery and On-Set Support
Step 4All authorizations delivered before your shoot date. Plus, we can provide an on-site location manager during filming to handle any authority interactions.
Authorizations By Production Type
Commercial and Advertising Projects
Brand campaigns in iconic Spanish locations require careful permit planning. We handle everything from product launches requiring multiple locations to international commercial productions with tight deadlines.
Documentary and TV Productions
Heritage site access for historical documentaries, cultural event filming during festivals, and TV production requiring academic institution permits - we've navigated it all.
Corporate Video Projects
Executive interviews in prestigious venues, conference filming, and corporate video production in commercial facilities each have specific permit requirements we understand.
Ready to secure your Film permits in Spain?
Our English-speaking team has been handling Spanish bureaucracy since 2008. Available for urgent requests as well.
Get Your Permit Quote TodayCommon Questions About Film Permits
No. Even placing a tripod on public streets requires permits. Penalties can include: Production shutdown, significant fines, equipment confiscation. Spanish authorities actively monitor filming activity, especially at tourist locations.
All Spanish municipalities require civil liability insurance covering third-party damages during filming. Coverage amounts vary by location and production scale. We coordinate with Spanish insurance providers who understand municipal requirements and provide proper Spanish-language documentation for permit approval.
Municipal permits: 15 working days minimum. Heritage sites: 30-45 days typically. Protected areas: 30-60 days. Complex multi-location: 45+ days for coordination.
We recommend starting 6-8 weeks before your shoot for heritage locations, 4 weeks for standard municipal permits.
Permit costs depend on many factors including region and city, location type, production scope, equipment requirements, and local regulations. We provide accurate cost estimates during our initial assessment based on your specific requirements.
Basic municipal permits are required for any equipment on public streets, even tripods. Traffic permits are needed if you disrupt traffic flow. Heritage sites have their own approval processes beyond municipal permits. Coastal filming requires multiple permits from different departments.
Each location has specific requirements. We assess your exact needs during our initial consultation to identify all required permits.