The 5 Authorities You Need Approval From Before You Shoot

May 19, 2026·Von Mario Krsek

One of the most common mistakes international productions make when planning a shoot in Mallorca is assuming there's a single permit office to contact. There isn't. Depending on your locations and the nature of your shoot, you may need approval from up to five different authorities, each with its own process, timeline, and requirements.

Here's who they are and what they control.

1. The Ajuntament — Your Local Town Hall
Every municipality in Mallorca has its own town hall (ajuntament), and public spaces within that municipality fall under its jurisdiction. Filming on a street in Palma requires approval from the Ajuntament de Palma. Filming in a village square in Valldemossa requires approval from the Ajuntament de Valldemossa.

Applications typically require a detailed shoot plan — dates, times, locations, crew size, equipment, and a description of any impact on public access. Some municipalities also require public liability insurance certificates.

Processing times range from 3 days to 3 weeks depending on the town and the time of year.

2. The Consell de Mallorca
The Consell governs the island's rural and natural areas. If your shoot takes you off the main roads and into the Mallorcan countryside — olive groves, mountain terrain, rural tracks, or protected natural parks — this is the body you need to approach.

The Consell is also responsible for some of the island's most iconic filming locations, including parts of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Applications here often require an environmental impact assessment alongside standard production documentation.

3. The Govern de les Illes Balears
The Balearic regional government controls beaches, coastal zones, and certain significant heritage buildings. Beach shoots are among the most frequently requested location types for commercial and fashion productions — and they come with specific rules around crew size, equipment footprint, and seasonal restrictions designed to protect nesting wildlife and manage tourist access.

Summer months (June–September) are particularly tightly regulated. If your production needs beach access, apply early and have a contingency plan.

4. Private Landowners
Many of Mallorca's most stunning locations — centuries-old fincas, luxury estates, private gardens, and historic manor houses — are privately owned. No government authority can grant you permission to film on private land. That requires a direct agreement with the owner.

These negotiations can be straightforward or complex depending on the owner's experience with productions. A local fixer with established contacts can often open doors that cold outreach cannot.

5. Specialised Authorities (AESA, Traffic, Police)
Certain activities trigger additional permit requirements regardless of location:

Drone operations: All commercial drone use in Spain falls under AESA (Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea). Operators must be certified, and flights in urban or restricted areas require specific authorisation.
Road closures or traffic management: Any shoot that affects vehicle or pedestrian traffic requires coordination with the local Policia Local and sometimes the Guardia Civil.
Pyrotechnics or special effects: Additional safety permits and fire authority notification are required.

Film Shooting Permit Mallorca — Government Office in Spain