Filming in Andalucía
The southernmost region of continental Europe, Andalusia offers an extraordinary diversity of landscapes and environments. Deserts, high mountain ranges, forests, tropical settings, beaches and cliffs coexist alongside whitewashed villages, historic sites and modern cities. The region also preserves a remarkable architectural heritage, including castles, Baroque mansions and remarkable Moorish palaces.
Across its eight provinces, Andalusia has served as the backdrop for the creation of many cinematic worlds that remain part of the collective imagination. Its landscapes have represented places as diverse as Planet Naboo in Star Wars and the kingdoms of Dorne, Meereen and the Dothraki Sea in Game of Thrones.
Andalusia is also a place where iconic stories have taken shape on screen. Characters such as James Bond, Lawrence of Arabia, Indiana Jones or even Lady Di have all been connected to productions filmed in the region.
A territory where filmmakers can build their own universe. Andalusia offers a highly qualified network of professionals and specialised companies, an exceptional variety of locations, a 30% tax rebate, free assistance through film commissions, access to funding programmes, and a safe, reliable production environment. The region’s technical and creative professionals are widely recognised both nationally and internationally.
About Andalucía
Andalusia, located in the south of Spain and the southernmost region of continental Europe, offers one of the most diverse landscapes in the Mediterranean. Within a relatively compact territory, productions can find deserts, high mountain ranges, forests, wetlands, tropical environments, beaches and cliffs.
The region stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and includes landscapes such as the deserts of Almería, the peaks of the Sierra Nevada — the highest mountains in mainland Spain — vast natural parks, river valleys and an extensive coastline. Andalusia is also home to unique ecosystems such as Doñana National Park, one of Europe’s most important wetlands.
This geographical diversity allows filmmakers to recreate a wide range of settings without leaving the region, from arid landscapes and Mediterranean villages to historic cities and contemporary urban environments.
Shooting Permits
Filming permits in Andalusia are generally managed at the local or regional level, depending on the location and the type of activity involved.
Many shoots with minimal impact in public spaces can be arranged through local authorities with relatively simple procedures. Permits are typically required for activities involving:
· Road closures or traffic control
· Use of special effects, cranes or large technical equipment
· Filming in protected natural areas or heritage sites
· Exclusive use of public spaces
The Andalusia Film Commission and its network of local film offices assist productions in identifying the relevant authorities, facilitating communication with public administrations and coordinating the permitting process.
Productions are strongly encouraged to work with local production service companies or experienced location managers who can guide them through the administrative procedures.
Drone Filming
Drone filming in Spain is regulated by the Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA).
Drone operators must be properly licensed and comply with national aviation regulations, which define operational categories, restricted airspace and safety requirements. Additional permits may be required when filming in urban areas, near airports or in protected natural environments.
Productions should always work with certified Spanish drone operators to ensure compliance with aviation and safety regulations.
Infrastructure
Andalusia has a modern and well-developed infrastructure network that facilitates film production logistics and mobility.
The region is connected by an extensive system of motorways, high-speed rail (AVE), regional rail lines and international airports, offering fast access between provinces and direct connections to major European cities.
Andalusia has six international airports — Málaga, Seville, Granada-Jaén, Almería, Jerez and Córdoba — as well as major commercial ports and marinas along both the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. This infrastructure allows productions to move crews, equipment and materials efficiently across the region.
Tax Incentives
Andalucía offers a competitive tax incentive scheme for audiovisual productions carried out in the territory.
Tax rebate
· Up to 30% tax rebate.
· 30% on the first €1 million of eligible expenditure.
· 25% on the remaining expenditure incurred in Spain.
Rebate limits
· Up to €20 million per feature film.
· Up to €10 million per episode for television series.
Minimum spend in Spain
· €1 million for standard productions.
· €200,000 for animation and VFX productions.
Eligible beneficiaries
Producers registered in the Registry of Cinematographic Companies of the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA).
Eligible expenses
· Costs of creative personnel with tax residence in Spain or in a country of the European Economic Area.
· Expenses related to the use of technical industries, production services and other audiovisual suppliers operating in Spain.
Population
8 733 535 hab.
Area
87,599 km2
Province
Time Zone
CET (UTC+1)
Summer (DST) / CEST (UTC+2)
Other facts and info
- More than 300 sunny and bright days annually
- More than one thousand kilometers of coast
- The largest desert in Europe
- Snowed mountains with the highest peak in mainland Spain
- The largest Film Cities Network in Spain
Visa & Work Permits
International productions filming in Andalusia operate under Spanish immigration and labour regulations designed to facilitate audiovisual activity.
Professionals from EU and European Economic Area countries do not require visas or work permits to participate in productions in Spain.
For non-EU professionals, requirements depend on the duration of the stay. For shoots of up to 90 days, many professionals may enter Spain without a specific work permit, depending on their nationality and the nature of the production. For stays longer than 90 days, a specific audiovisual work visa is required.
The Andalucía Film Commission and the Spain Film Commission provide guidance to international productions on visa procedures and administrative requirements, helping coordinate with authorities and local production partners when filming in Andalusia.
Green shooting
Andalusia offers a wide range of natural landscapes and protected environments, and film productions working in the region are encouraged to adopt responsible and sustainable practices when filming.
The region includes numerous protected natural areas, national parks and cultural heritage sites. Productions filming in these environments must follow the regulations established by the relevant authorities to ensure the protection of landscapes, wildlife and local communities.
Responsible filming practices include minimizing environmental impact, managing waste appropriately, limiting the use of vehicles in sensitive areas and respecting the ecological and cultural value of locations.
The Andalucía Film Commission and its network of local film offices assist productions in planning shoots responsibly, facilitating permits and helping productions understand the environmental and administrative requirements associated with filming in natural or heritage locations.
This support helps ensure that audiovisual productions can take advantage of the region’s landscapes while respecting the environmental, cultural and social values that make Andalusia a unique filming destination.
Audiovisual Aids
Here you can find links to the different public institutions and organizations that offer financial support for audiovisual projects. These funding opportunities may cover various stages of the production process, including development, pre-production, production, post-production and promotion.
The information provided will help producers and companies identify the available programmes and institutions that support the creation, financing and international circulation of audiovisual works. These resources are designed to encourage production activity, strengthen the audiovisual industry and facilitate access to funding opportunities within the sector.
Associations
The principal producer’s associations in Andalusia are set up in order to represent and defend the individual and collective professional rights of its members and, in addition, of the Andalusian audiovisual industry in general.
Focused on the audiovisual industry’s specific needs, these associations promote its member’s interests through its presence in organizations and institutions of the business area. It is also represented by means of its attendance to national and international markets.