How to
FILM IN
Castilla y León
Castilla y León Film Commission offers assistance to companies and professionals who want to film in the Community of Castilla y León. This page details relevant aspects about the general filming conditions in the provinces of Castilla y León, as well as technical standards and generalized safety measures in all filming.
Motorways and dual carriageways
The Directorate-General for Roads and Infrastructure Directorate-General of Roads of the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda is responsible for managing the state road network, including the Castilla y León road network which is not owned by the Autonomous Community or the province. Before filming on public roads and land used for traffic purposes, you must apply for the relevant authorization at the following link.
Provincial Network
The Provincial Network, comprising the provincial councils’ roads, is characterized by the municipalities in each province’s ability to easily access it.
- Provincial Network of Ávila. With ID AV-P-XXX.
- Provincial Network of Burgos. With ID BU- XXX, BU-P- XXXX or BU-V- XXXX.
- Provincial Network of León. With ID LE- XXXX, although they were previously referred to as CV- XXXXX.
- Provincial Network of Palencia. With ID PP- XXXX.
- Provincial Network of Salamanca. With ID DSA- XXX with the “D” for Diputación (Council), although they were previously referred to as CV- XXX, CM- XXX or CP-X.
- Provincial Network of Segovia. With ID SG-P- XXXX or SG-V- XXXX.
- Provincial Network of Soria. With ID SO-P-XXXX, although they were previously referred to as SO-V-XXXX.
- Provincial Network of Valladolid. With ID VP- XXXX.
- Provincial Network of Zamora. With ID ZA-P-1 XXX, ZA-P-2XXX, ZA-V-2 XXX or ZA-L-2 XXX.
Any application for filming on these roads must be made in writing and submitted to the Provincial Traffic Headquarters in each province.
Procedure
The procedure to request to film on roads governed by Castilla y León consists firstly of an authorization by the Ministry of Mobility and Digital Transformation, Directorate-General for Roads and Infrastructure to authorize the use of the road, and a request to the Directorate-General of Traffic to coordinate and supervise the authorized filming.
Authorizations
The first step is to apply for the corresponding authorization from the Ministry of of Mobility and Digital Transformation. The Directorate-General for Roads and Infrastructure, through the Territorial Services of Mobility and Digital Transformation will be in charge of receiving the application, either online through this link or in person at any registry office in Castilla y León.
It is advised that all documentation is submitted with the application (plans, portfolio, information on the planned shots, etc). It is advised that all documentation is submitted with the application (plans, portfolio, information on the planned shots, etc). This application must be sent as soon as possible, with a recommended time to start the process of one month before the planned date of filming, given the high volume of activity that the Ministry of of Mobility and Digital Transformation has to deal with.
In the event that the road is owned by the municipality, it is advised that you inform the corresponding local council of the application.
Apply for permission from the Directorate-General of Traffic (DGT)
The authorization issued by the Directorate-General of Transport and Logistics of Castilla y León only authorizes the use of the road under the conditions stated in the authorization. In order to arrange the filming, as well as to limit its impact, you must contact the Directorate-General of Traffic, who will be in charge of supervision.
The Directorate-General of Traffic is an agency that is part of the Spanish Government under the Ministry of the Interior and responsible for the execution of road policy on state-owned roads. This is why, as those in charge of regulating the road, they are responsible for coordinating the filming once the Ministry, as body in charge, has authorized it.
The presentation of any request, letter or submission addressed to the Directorate-General of Traffic can be made through its online site on the application page for audiovisual filming.
Attach the documentation requested for the specific procedure you wish to carry out and select the Provincial Headquarters, Local Headquarters or Local Traffic Authority where you wish to submit the application.
It is recommended not to wait for authorization from the Directorate-General for Transport and Logistics to start the procedure with the DGT, but to start both procedures at the same time.
Activities that take place on cattle trails are regulated by the Ministry of Environment, Housing and Spatial Planning and the Directorate-General for Natural Heritage and Forest Policy.
The procedure for requesting and obtaining a permit to film in these spaces must be done in writing and presented at the Registry Assistance Offices of the Junta de Castilla y León or at any of the places established in article 16.4 of the Law 39/2015 (LPACAP). It has a resolution period of 3 months.
Article 4 of Organic Law 14/2007, of 30 November, on the reform of the Statute of Autonomy of Castilla y León stipulates that natural heritage is an essential value for Castilla y León’s identity, and is currently under special protection and support. With this objective in mind, current Law 4/2015, of 24 March, on the Natural Heritage of Castilla y León was passed, which seeks the transversal protection of the community’s natural heritage, in a way that is in line with the socio-economic development of the community while being one of its driving forces for rural development.
An essential part of Law 4/2015 of 24 March 2015 is Section 4, which is specifically dedicated to the conservation of natural areas. It creates the Network of Protected Natural Areas (RANP), which is made up of three complementary networks: the Natura 2000 Network, the Network of Natural Spaces (REN) and the Network of Natural Areas of Special Interest. The first derives from community commitments; the second on the development of national and regional regulations, and the third incorporates those figures whose protection is included in other regulations or international conventions.
Procedure
The procedure to apply for filming in natural areas governed by Castilla y León involves authorization by the local services of each province:
The application can be made through the Electronic Register sent to the local environmental service or to the Directorate-General for Natural Heritage and Forest Policy (if the activity affects more than one province).
D-G for Natural Heritage and Forest Policy
C/ Rigoberto Cortejoso, 14. 47014 – Valladolid 983419000 (Ext. 801733) espacios.naturales@jcyl.es
Irrespective of these authorizations, it is necessary to inform local authorities of the activities to be carried out.
Different river basins pass through Castilla y León, and are managed by different confederations: the Duero River Basin Confederation, the Ebro River Basin Confederation and the Miño Sil River Basin Confederation, which depend on the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge.
In accordance with the provisions of Article 51 of the Rewritten Text of the Water Act, sailing and being on the water in the Duero, Ebro and Sil river basins requires the prior presentation of a declaration of responsibility to the basin organization in accordance with the instructions and requirements specified by them.
Hydrographic Confederation of Duero
The international River Basin District of Duero is the largest on the Iberian Peninsula with 98,073 km2, comprising the territory of the Douro river basin as well as the transitional waters of the Oporto estuary and the associated Atlantic coastal waters. It is an area shared between Portugal (20% of the total area) and Spain (80%). The Spanish part of the River Basin District of Duero (DHD) includes parts of the autonomous communities of Castilla y León, Galicia, Cantabria, La Rioja, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura and Madrid. Just over 98% of the surface area of the Spanish basin belongs to Castilla y León.
The list of reservoirs where you can sail can be found here.
Procedure
You must fill in the Declaration of Responsibility form for sailing by following these instructions and attaching the project report.
This declaration of responsibility must be submitted at least 1 month before the start of the activity.
Hydrographic Confederation of Ebro
The Ebro basin is located in the NE of the Iberian Peninsula and occupies a total surface area of 85,534 km2. It is the largest river basin in Spain, making up 17% of the Spanish peninsular territory and one of the main European Mediterranean basins. The River Basin District of Ebro (EBRD) comprises the Spanish territory of the Ebro river basin and its transitional waters, the Garonne river basin and the other river basins that flow into the Atlantic Ocean across the border with France, except those of the Nive and Nivelle rivers, as well as the endorheic basin of the Gallocanta Lagoon. Castilla y León accounts for 9% of the area.
Procedure
The declaration of responsibility for sailing and being on the water must be requested through the The Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge’s Online Site following these instructions and attaching the project report.
This declaration of responsibility must be submitted at least 15 working days before the start of the activity.
Hydrographic Confederation of Miño-Sil
The Spanish part of the Hydrographic Basin of Miño Sil (DHMS) comprises the river basins of the Miño — with its major tributary, the Sil — and Limia rivers in Spanish territory. The DHMS is an inter-community basin: it extends over 7 provinces, belonging to the Autonomous Communities of Galicia (77.02%), Castilla y León (22.9%) and Asturias (0.08%).
Procedure
You must fill in the Declaration of Responsibility form for sailing by following these instructions and attaching the project report.
This declaration of responsibility must be submitted at least 15 working days before the start of the activity.
The Community of Castilla y León has a rich architectural, historical and cultural heritage. The assets that comprise it and that may be subject to specific protection are governed by the provisions of Law 11/2006, of 26 October, on the Heritage of the Community of Castilla y León.
The aforementioned law establishes a general system of protection for the assets that make up the region’s Historical Heritage, which takes the form of a general obligation to preserve, as well as a specific system of protection for Assets of Cultural Interest and another for Assets of Heritage Interest.
Filming in heritage sites governed by Castilla y León
Authorization for filming in heritage sites governed by Castilla y León are regulated by the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage of the Regional Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sport. The procedure for applying for and obtaining authorization to film in these areas must be done in writing and submitted to the Register of the Community of Castilla y León by means of the general application for registration or through the Electronic Register. Approval can take up to 14 working days.
You can find the different procedures with regard to Cultural Heritage at the following link.
Filming in heritage sites governed by local councils
In the case of monuments and municipal buildings governed directly by local councils in Castilla y León, a request must be made to the corresponding body.
Filming in heritage sites governed by National Heritage
Patrimonio Nacional is the Spanish public body dedicated to the care of State-owned assets that come from the legacy of the Spanish Crown. The Royal Palaces, Monasteries and historic buildings managed by Patrimonio Nacional, as well as its green spaces, can host audiovisual projects, provided that they can be compatible with the functions of representation and are respectful of the space in which they work and the environment. Patrimonio Nacional manages the following spaces in Castilla y León:
• Monasterio de Santa María La Real de las Huelgas (Burgos)
• Real Sitio de La Granja de San Ildefonso (Segovia)
• Real Sitio de Riofrío (Segovia)
• Real Monasterio de Santa Clara de Tordesillas (Valladolid)
Instructions for filming in areas governed by National Heritage.
Castilla y León is home to 13 cathedrals, all of which have been declared Sites of Cultural Interest (BIC).
- El Salvador Cathedral Church (Ávila)
- Cathedral of Santa María (Astorga)
- Cathedral Church of Santa Maria in (Burgos)
- Cathedral of Burgo de Osma (Soria)
- Cathedral of Our Lady of Saint Mary (Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca)
- Cathedral of Santa María de Regla (León)
- Cathedral of San Antolin (Palencia)
- Cathedral of the New Assumption of the Virgin (Salamanca)
- Old Cathedral of Santa Maria (Salamanca)
- Cathedral Ensemble (Salamanca)
- Cathedral Church of Saint Mary (Segovia)
- Cocathedral Church of San Pedro (Soria)
- Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption (Valladolid)
- Cathedral Church of the Transfiguration (Zamora)
Procedure
The procedure to request to film in Cathedrals in Castilla y León consists of an authorization from the Territorial Heritage Services of each province, due to their status as BIC (Asset of Cultural Interest).
And on the other hand, to the corresponding archbishopric, as they are the owners of the property:
In Castilla y León there are various museum centers dependent on the Autonomous Community, that is, those of which it is the owner (Autonomous Museums) or whose management it exercises (Provincial Museums).
The regional museum panorama is completed with more than 350 museum centers of public or private ownership that make up the Museum Network of Castilla y León.
Procedure
In order to film in the museums of Castilla y León it is necessary to obtain authorisation from the Territorial Service of Culture, Tourism and Sport of the Junta de Castilla y León of the province in which the museum is located. To do so, the application form is available at the Electronic Headquarters.
In addition, it is necessary to have the cession of the intellectual property rights of the works that require it. And, in the case of obtaining images for commercial or advertising purposes, the conditions and specific aspects of their realization, including economic ones, will be expressly established by the legal act or transaction that is applicable in accordance with the legal regime of the affected assets.
The most relevant cultural assets of Castilla y León are protected by an administration resolution that recognizes their value and historical importance. This recognition has been carried out since the early nineties of the 20th century by the Junta de Castilla y León in accordance with the procedures established in Law 12/2002, of July 11, on Cultural Heritage of Castilla y León.
Procedure
To find out if a location is included in the catalogue of protected assets, you can consult the Database of Assets of Cultural Interest.
The procedure for filming in the areas declared B.I.C. of Castilla y León consists of an application to the Territorial Heritage Services of each province, which can be processed through this link.
In order to film in train stations, authorization must be requested by providing the script of the scenes to be filmed and paying the corresponding fees to the state-owned company ADIF, a public company within the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda.
On the ADIF filming page you can find a list with the managed spaces and the form to apply if you wish to film in them.
If the scenes are to be shot inside a train, permission must be requested from RENFE by filling in the following form.
Military buildings and sites are managed by the Ministry of Defence of the Spanish Government. According to their location and functionalities, the military spaces or facilities available for filming are usually restricted. However, in recent years, films and television series have been shot in military facilities, where vehicles and materials have been used, with significant collaboration from the Ministry of Defence.
Instructions on how to apply for filming at military sites are set out in Instruction 65/2004, of 31 March 2004, of the Secretary of State for Defence.
Applications, which shall in any case be in writing, must be submitted to the Directorate-General for Infrastructure of the Ministry of Defence at least 10 days in advance for prior visits and one month in advance for filming, and must contain at least the following requirements:
- Applicant’s ID
- Site you wish to film at
- If applicable, date of the prior visit to check out locations and IDs of the people who will attend this visit
- Start date of filming and its duration
- Latest version of the full production script
- Designation of a person in charge, including address for letters, fax and telephone number.
Filming from drones, helicopters or similar are regulated by Civil Aviation regulations, and the production company must have the corresponding authorization in order to do so. The company in charge of regulating and controlling the safety of civil aviation in Spain is the Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA).
To film aerial images by aircraft, it is essential to hire a company and a pilot certified by AESA. It is the company’s responsibility to make the necessary arrangements to authorize the flight and to ensure its smooth running.
Filming with helicopter and aircraft
Helicopter and aeroplane aerial photography flights are considered specialized commercial operations. There are minimum altitudes that all flights must respect and which may condition the aerial shots to be filmed.
On the AESA website on aerial work activity you can find more information on regulations, operator licensing and other relevant issues in relation to this type of activity.
It is recommended to bear in mind that aerial filming in Castilla y León is restricted to a specific flight area, so it is advisable to request all relevant information from AESA before choosing a location and deciding on the characteristics and route of the flight to be carried out. In the application ENAIRE Insignia application you can see the areas in which there are flight restrictions.
Filming with drones
As with other aircraft, there is a legal framework that regulates their activity and allows for the safe development of the remotely piloted aircraft sector, i.e drones or RPAS.
From 31 December 2020, the European UAS/drones regulation will apply. This rule affects all drones regardless of their purpose (recreational or professional) or size/weight. Information on national and EU regulations can be found on the AESA website on drones. Given this regulation, it is essential to have a certified company and pilot, responsible for processing the necessary authorizations and for flying in urban areas, as well as mandatory civil liability insurance, in order to take images with remotely piloted aircraft. You can check the minimum requirements to fly any drone here.
Activity in areas where there are clusters of buildings, such as the main towns in Castilla y León, will require specific authorization from AESA based on a specific aeronautical safety study.
Procedure
Authorization from the Ministry of the Interior
The procedure to obtain authorization to fly remotely piloted aircraft is done through the Ministry of the Interior’s website.
Irrespective of these air authorizations, you must inform the local administrations of the activity to be carried out, considering that take-off and landing will be made from the ground.
There are some restrictions on flying aircraft near military sites or airports. In the ENAIRE drones application, you can see the areas in which there are prohibitions or restrictions on drone flights, as well as dangerous areas and other warnings.
Restrictions and administrative requirements in Castilla y León
Generally, according to the provisions of Law 42/2007 of 13 December 2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity, drone flights are not prohibited in the region of Castilla y León, nor do they require authorization from the Directorate-General for Natural Heritage and Forest Policy, provided that the flights do not intentionally disturb the animal species present in the area (i.e. the animals are not being chased or the drone is not approaching nests or shelters). In this case, authorization is required, provided that the purpose of the disturbance is justifiable (research, dissemination, etc.; Article 54 of Law 42/2007 of 13 December 2007).
Specific requirements and restrictions can be found on the Regional Government of Castilla y León’s Environment page.
Persons under 16 years of age may take part in public performances, provided that such participation does not endanger their physical health or their professional and human training, according to Royal Decree 1435/1985, which regulates the special employment relationship of artists in public performances.
La participación de menores de 16 años en espectáculos públicos deberá autorizarse por los representantes legales de los menores de 16 años (padres o tutores), presentando una solicitud en la Oficina Territorial de Trabajo de la provincia correspondiente.
Workers’ Statute
Article 6 of the Workers’ Statute allows for the participation of children in public shows, subject to obtaining administrative authorization and the provisions of Article 6.4: “the participation of children under the age of sixteen in public shows shall only be authorized in exceptional cases by the employment authority, provided that it does not endanger their physical health or their professional and human development; the authorization must be in writing and for specific events.”
Therefore, the employment relationship has to be established on the initiative of the parents or legal representatives who have to submit an application to the employment authority, accompanied by the child’s consent, if he/she is able to form a judgement. The Ministry of Employment will respond with written approval or refusal specifying the show or performance to which the application refers and, once granted, the parent or guardian may sign the contract, also requiring the child’s consent to sign it.
In Spain, the legal age for entering the job market is 16, although only those over 18 and those over 16 and under 18 who are emancipated or who have reached the age of majority can sign by themselves and be contracted to work. Children between the ages of 16 and 18 who are not emancipated and have not reached the age of majority need their parents or guardians’ consent or the authorization of the person or institution who take care of them. In any case, a child under 16 cannot work, so any employment contract between an employer and a child below this age is null and void.
The European Union recommends that children should not participate in public shows, except in cases expressly listed by law and with prior authorization, granted individually, of the authority. With regard to night work carried out by children, both national legislation and that of the International Labor Organization (ILO) prohibit it, authorising it in exceptional cases and with limits: 3 nights per week and with 16 consecutive hours of rest.
Filming with animals is governed by Law 5/1997 of 24 April on the protection of pets. This legislation states in Article 7. Filming and advertising: This legislation states in Article 7. Filming and advertising:
The filming, photographing or recording in any type of media of fictional scenes that simulate cruelty, mistreatment or suffering of animals will necessarily require prior authorization from the competent body of the Autonomous Administration, for the purpose of verifying that the damage apparently caused is indeed simulated.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, Directorate General of Agricultural and Livestock Production is the competent body in matters of Animal Welfare.
Procedure
The procedure to request a shoot with animals consists of a request to the Animal Health and Production Section, Territorial Service of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development of each province:
The request must be made in writing and submitted to the Registry of the Community of Castilla y León through the general registration application or through the Electronic Registry.
In addition to the above regulations, we must have the corresponding authorization to import the animals if they come from outside Spain:
- If the animals come from the EU, authorization is issued in the corresponding Autonomous Community and must pass a veterinary inspection.
- If the animals come from outside the EU, authorization must be sought from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and the Environment, who can quarantine them if necessary.
Spanish labor legislation establishes a system of measures to minimize workers’ risks and ensure their safety.
For all audiovisual projects filmed in the country, an occupational health and safety plan must be drawn up, approved by the national enforcement body, the Institute for Health and Safety at Work – Ministry of Employment and Social Security.
In relation to the hiring of temporary staff, there is a specific regulation, the Collective Agreement for the Local and Regional Television Sector of Castilla y León. It sets the minimum wages and contract conditions according to the defined categories.
All weapons and military equipment to be used in audiovisual filming must be incapable of producing actual fire. Only blank cartridges may be used if they are not inoperable, and identification and authorization to handle them must be provided.
Perceptive permits or authorisations from the governmental authority are required for transport, storage and use, and which are covered by the Real Decreto 989/2015, of 30 october. The presence of the Local Police and the Fire Prevention and Extinction Service may be required.
Weapons and explosive material for shooting can be obtained through the territorial delegations of either the National Police Directorate or the Guardia Civil.
