QUICK GUIDE
Visas for non-EU crew
For members of non-EU audiovisual production crews traveling to El Hierro, a work visa or short-stay visa for the audiovisual sector is required. This must be requested by the production company at the competent Immigration Office (provincial, such as Santa Cruz de Tenerife for the Canary Islands) or at the Spanish consulate in the country of origin. This visa is specific to audiovisual activities and allows stays of up to 90 days without additional authorization (if exempt from the Schengen visa requirement) or up to 180 days under a simplified procedure; for longer periods, a residence permit is required.
Audiovisual visas from the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration:
- Submission of applications for international mobility residence permit
- International Mobility in the Audiovisual Sector
Or you can manage it through the Consulate of the country of origin.
Temporary Entry of Equipment and Goods
Production equipment can be temporarily imported into Spain (up to 6 months) duty-free through special customs procedures. There are two options for this:
ATA Carnet
An international document issued by the Chamber of Commerce of the country of origin, which allows the temporary admission of professional goods such as audiovisual equipment. It requires a bond or guarantee (in the Canary Islands, 25% of the declared value, refundable upon return).
H1 Customs Declaration
Electronic system of the Tax Agency that replaces the DUA for simplified declarations of temporary import, managed in Customs of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Contact: Customs and Special Taxes Department, adsczt@agenciatributaria.es
Always consult official sources for updates.
Filming permits
The processing of filming permits depends on the type of location (natural areas, beaches, roads, buildings, etc.) and the relevant authority in each case. When filming includes several locations, separate permits will only be required if each location falls under the jurisdiction of a different authority.
Applications must be submitted to the relevant administration via the official registry, allowing for the minimum advance notice -the timeframe for each administration is indicated at the section Filming permitsand must be accompanied by:
- Project Report
- Copy of the current civil liability insurance policy covering the filming activity
- Copy of the identification document of the company or legal entity
- Safety plan, if applicable
It is necessary to provide details of the intended use of the space (traffic closures, technical installations, drones, etc.), as well as a description of the filming, technical requirements, schedule, and safety and environmental protection measures.
Production companies are advised to check the local holiday calendar before applying for filming permits, as certain holidays and public events may affect location availability and the permit application process. Additionally, some locations may have access restrictions at certain times of the year due to fire risk or adverse weather conditions.
It is recommended to inform the El Hierro Film Commission so that the office can track the status of the application with the relevant authority.
Simplify your process: Unified form
To facilitate the processing of your application, you can download the form below. This document has been validated by the relevant authorities on the island and can be submitted to the corresponding institution as an application for a filming permit.
The form must be accompanied by the documentation indicated above, as well as any other additional documentation that may be required by each department or depending on the type of activity or event, as detailed in the sections of the Filming Permits section.
Drones
The use of drones in El Hierro is subject to the regulations of the State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) and the airspace regulations managed by ENAIRE, due to its status as a Biosphere Reserve and the existence of areas with flight restrictions.
Before any operation, it is essential to consult the airspace zoning on the ENAIRE Drones platform, where permitted, restricted or conditional areas are identified.
Permits based on location
Depending on the filming location:
- Protected natural areas:
- Prior authorization from the Environment Department of the El Hierro Island Council
- Other environments (depending on the area affected):
- Relevant sectoral permits (coasts, roads, urban areas, etc.)
Operational limitations
Flight conditions (altitude, distances, specific restrictions) will be determined by AESA and ENAIRE regulations and the applicable sectoral authorizations in each case.
Mandatory requirements:
- Registration as a UAS operator in AESA
- Pilot training and accreditation according to standard STS scenarios (if applicable)
- Valid civil liability insurance specifically for drones (minimum €1,000,000)
- Prior notification to the Ministry of the Interior when the flight takes place in urban environments (with elements such as streetlights, pedestrian crossings or water channels), over concentrations of people or in situations that may affect public safety and require coordination with the Security Forces.
Flight plan and technical documentation
- GPS coordinates of the flight zone
- Maximum operating radius (usually ≤ 100 m)
- Take-off and landing points
- Drone model
- Dates, times and duration of the operation
- Description of the operation and purpose of the filming
- Security measures and risk mitigation
Services
Transport
Air
Maritime
Shipping companies
Ferry connections departing from Los Cristianos (Tenerife) and arriving at Puerto de la Estaca (El Hierro). Approximate journey time: 2.5 hours.
Fred Olsen: 922 790 556, fredolsen.es
Baleària Canarias: 912 660 215, baleariacanarias.com
Port of La Estaca
(+34) 922 55 09 03
Land
TransHierro, bus and taxi cooperative
Phone: (+34) 922 55 07 29 | (+34) 922 55 11 75
Email: info@transhierro.com (general) or taxi@transhierro.com (taxis)
Web: transhierro.com/
Car rental
Bamir: (+34) 922 55 01 83, autosbamir.es
Autos Cruz Alta: (+34) 922 55 00 04, https://cruzaltarentacar.com/
Cicar / Cabrera Medina: (+34) 922 55 15 39, cicar.com
TransHierro: (+34) 922 55 17 75 | (+34) 922 55 07 29, transhierro.com
Europcar: (+34) 922 55 01 83, https://www.europcar.es/
Avis: (+34) 928 09 23 30, avis.es
Plus Car: (+34) 922 55 00 76, autospluscar-elhierro.com
Buget: (+34) 928 09 23 30, budget.es
Enterprise: (+34) 922 55 15 39, enterprise.com
Other
Base Camps
Contact us and we'll help you find an available space to set up your base camp.
Accommodation
Check the available accommodations to house the team.
Restaurant
Check available restaurants for catering or hospitality services.
UNESCO Geopark
UNESCO recognizes El Hierro as a Global Geopark for the international value of its geological and landscape heritage. This designation does not imply a general prohibition on filming, but it does require that any audiovisual activity be carried out under criteria of sustainability, conservation, and respect for the environment.
For this reason, filming within the Geopark must minimize its environmental and landscape impact, especially in sensitive or protected areas.
Restrictions
- Restrictions on large-scale technical installations with significant visual or physical impact
- Limitation of occupancy and vehicle access outside authorized areas
- Protection of geological features, flora, fauna, and sensitive habitats
- Prohibition of altering the terrain, extracting materials, or leaving waste behind
- Control of noise, artificial lighting, and drone flights in certain areas
- Possible limitations on capacity, schedules, or access depending on the sensitivity of the site
Best practices
In protected natural areas or sites of special conservation, prior authorization from the Environmental Department of the Cabildo of El Hierro will be required, in addition to any relevant sectoral permits (Coasts, Roads, Ports, drones, etc.).
It is recommended to plan filming well in advance and to prioritize productions with a low environmental impact and appropriate integration into the island’s natural and cultural environment.
The UNESCO Geopark management model promotes a balance between conservation, outreach, and the sustainable development of the territory.
Useful Phone Numbers
Emergencies
General emergencies: 112
Virgen de los Reyes Hospital (24/7):
C. los Barriales, 1, 38900 Villa de Valverde, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
(+34) 922 553 000
Health centers:
Local Police: 092
Civil Guard: 062
Parcel and Freight Transport
Post
correos.es
Valverde: (+34) 922 55 02 91
Frontera: (+34) 922 55 91 27
Private Companies
TransHierro: (+34) 922 55 11 75, transhierro.com
EuroTour Express: (+34) 922 55 13 62, https://eurotourexpress.com/
Liberty Express: (+34) 922 09 10 13, libertyexpress.com
Recommended Credits
Credits and use of institutional logos
Audiovisual productions filmed on El Hierro must include in their credits an acknowledgment of the institutions and entities that collaborated or provided support for the project during filming.
Likewise, the relevant official logos must be incorporated—such as those of the El Hierro Film Commission, the Island Council of El Hierro, municipal governments, or other collaborating entities—following the guidelines and corporate identity manuals provided in each case.
Logo download
Public Administration Identity
Audiovisual record of filming in El Hierro
Once filming has been completed, the El Hierro Film Commission will request promotional and informational material from the production company in order to include it in the historical archive of productions filmed on the island.
The required materials include:
- Trailer or teaser
- Stills and behind-the-scenes images from filming
- Official poster
- Sinopsis
- Technical and cast & crew information sheet
Part of this material will be used for informational, promotional, and institutional communication purposes across the Film Commission’s channels (website, social media, publications, reports, etc.), always linked to the promotion of El Hierro as an audiovisual destination.
The production company must provide this material and expressly authorize its use and dissemination for the purposes described above.