Spain’s audio-visual sector has seen substantial growth and evolution recently, establishing itself as a pivotal component of the nation’s economy and a global leader in the industry.
The sector encompasses a wide range of media, including film and television productions, animation, video games, eSports, advertising, visual effects (VFX), video-on-demand (VOD) services, and more, excluding print media.
To bolster this growth and attract foreign investment, the Spanish government has implemented strategic measures. These include enticing tax incentives for film and TV productions, streamlined administrative processes for international companies, and investments in cutting-edge production facilities. Furthermore, global promotional campaigns have been launched to highlight Spain’s diverse locations, skilled workforce, and robust production capabilities.
International talent plays a crucial role in driving sectoral growth and dynamism. Initiatives like the Spain Audio-visual Hub, launched in 2021, aim to increase international productions by 30% by 2025, underscoring the importance of foreign investment and talent. Several international companies have also established significant production facilities in Spain, further attracting top-tier global talent and fostering innovation.
In 2021, the Spanish government introduced new guidelines simplifying the entry and stay of foreign professionals in the audio-visual sector, part of a broader strategy to position Spain as a “hub for the audio-visual sector in Europe.”
This article provides an overview of streamlined procedures designed to facilitate the entry of international talent into Spain’s audio-visual industry.
Immigration Solutions for Foreign Talent
In line with government objectives, updates to immigration laws in 2021 introduced more agile procedures, recognizing the sector’s often urgent need to hire or transfer foreign professionals to Spain.
The primary aim of these reforms is to attract foreign talent to the audio-visual sector and facilitate the exchange of skills and experience. The new regulations are characterized by their responsiveness, flexibility, and simplicity in reducing bureaucratic hurdles and standardizing administrative criteria.
Types of Visas and Permits
Non-EU professionals working in the audio-visual sector—including directors, producers, actors, screenwriters, cinematographers, camera operators, technicians, game designers, developers, testers, and more—can benefit from these streamlined procedures.
Stays of up to 90 days:
For short visits, audio-visual professionals can work in Spain without requiring a work permit. This is ideal for projects like filming scenes, photography shoots, attending festivals as jury members, or brief instructional workshops. However, third-country nationals requiring a Schengen visa must obtain one before entering Spain.
Stays Between 91 and 180 days:
Mid-length stays are covered by a special visa allowing work and residence for up to 180 days. This option suits longer projects such as full-length movie productions, TV series development, extended music tours, or major advertising campaigns spanning multiple cities.
Stays more than 180 days:
Long-term stays are facilitated by a dedicated residence permit that combines living and working rights in Spain. This permit is ideal for extended projects or professionals engaged in multiple tasks over a prolonged period, such as multi-year video game development cycles, resident producers overseeing Spanish content, or ambitious animation projects. The duration of the residence authorization matches the contract or transfer period to Spain, with a maximum validity of two years, extendable in two-year increments provided the conditions are maintained.
The legislation also covers visas and permits for family members accompanying professionals in the sector. If the professional is a minor, they can reside in Spain with their parents or legal guardians.
Applicants must demonstrate their relationship with the hiring or transferring company and confirm their involvement in audio-visual production or artistic activities intended for public broadcast or recording by various media.
It is crucial for both the professional and the employing company to comply with social security and tax obligations. Foreign professionals must obtain a Foreign Identification Number (NIE), and the contracting company must register them with the Social Security system unless covered by international agreements.
This comprehensive framework aims to facilitate the seamless integration of international talent into Spain’s vibrant audio-visual sector, supporting its ongoing growth and competitiveness on the global stage.