When an international production begins evaluating where to establish its base of operations in Spain, Madrid almost always appears near the top of the list. This is no coincidence. In recent years, the Spanish capital has consolidated an audiovisual ecosystem that combines a concentration of talent, technical infrastructure, a diversity of locations and enviable logistics for travelling around the rest of the country. This article explains, without beating around the bush, what makes Madrid a first-class film production hub and what an international production needs to know before arriving.
Madrid’s position in Spain’s film industry
The numbers speak for themselves. In 2025, Madrid hosted 71 feature films, 52 television series and more than 410 commercials, consolidating its position as the region with the highest international expenditure in Spain, according to the economic impact study prepared by Olsberg SPI for Spain Film Commission and PROFILM. The Madrid Film Office managed more than 4,115 specific assistance services that year, representing a 7% increase compared to the previous year, and Madrid City Council processed 11,001 filming applications for public roads through the Filming Authorisation Office.
This volume is not the result of a one-off commitment: film production in Madrid (kw film production Madrid) has been growing steadily for more than a decade. Netflix, Prime Video and HBO Max have an operational presence in the city, which has accelerated the development of the entire local audiovisual value chain. International series such as The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (AMC), Kaos (Netflix) and Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue (MGM+/BBC) are just some recent examples of productions that have chosen Madrid as their main filming base.
Crew and talent concentration in Madrid
One of the decisive factors for any international production is the availability of qualified technical and artistic crew without the need to bring them in from elsewhere. Madrid has the largest pool of audiovisual professionals in Spain: directors of photography, camera operators, art directors, production designers, sound technicians, VFX specialists and a long list of highly specialised professionals with experience in international shoots.
This concentration of talent is both a logistical and economic advantage: hiring local crew means not having to incur travel or accommodation costs for a significant number of professionals. For more detailed information on how to access this talent, you can consult our guide on how to hire a film crew in Spain and the specific article on the art department in Spanish productions.
Production infrastructure and services
The infrastructure supporting film production in Madrid (kw filming in Madrid) is extensive and continues to expand. The city has an ecosystem of more than 3,000 companies in the audiovisual sector covering all stages of the production process, from pre-production to final delivery.
Equipment rental and technical suppliers
Madrid has a well-established network of film equipment rental houses offering state-of-the-art cameras, lighting systems, cranes, dollies and specialised rigs. Local availability avoids the costs and bureaucracy associated with international equipment transportation.
Post-production facilities and workflow
Madrid has well-equipped post-production studios capable of meeting the needs of demanding productions: colour grading, sound mixing, mastering, localisation and VFX services. The presence of international platforms in the city has driven the modernisation of these facilities, which regularly work with workflows adapted to the delivery standards of the main distributors.
Studio infrastructure
Madrid is experiencing a significant expansion in terms of studio infrastructure. Madrid Content City is already one of the largest audiovisual hubs in Europe and is currently in Phase IV of its expansion, scheduled for completion in 2026. Added to this are projects such as Toboggan Group’s 30,000-square-metre production hub in Villaverde—the first of three phases—and new virtual production facilities being developed by companies such as EFD Studios. The region’s installed capacity allows several large-scale productions to be accommodated simultaneously.
Location diversity within and around Madrid
One of the reasons why international productions choose to film in Madrid (kw filming in Madrid) is the extraordinary variety of environments offered by the region without the need for extensive travel. Within a few hours by car, it is possible to go from a historic city centre with 16th-century architecture to a desert landscape, a mountain forest or a Castilian plain that can perfectly double for any region of Central Europe.
Urban locations: architecture, streets and institutional spaces
Urban filming locations in Madrid cover a very broad spectrum. The historic centre offers 16th- to 19th-century architecture, with streets, squares and institutional buildings that can be adapted to multiple narrative contexts. The AZCA financial district and the areas surrounding Paseo de la Castellana provide a modern metropolitan aesthetic comparable to that of any European capital. The Barrio de las Letras, Malasaña, Madrid de los Austrias and Gran Vía are spaces with a very distinctive visual identity and a proven track record in fiction productions.
The process for obtaining permits to film in public spaces in Madrid is well regulated and relatively streamlined compared with other European capitals.
Natural and rural environments within reach
Within a radius of less than two hours from the centre of Madrid, there are very different environments. The Sierra de Guadarrama offers pine forests and alpine landscapes less than 60 kilometres away. The province of Guadalajara, in the vicinity of Madrid, provides highland landscapes and medieval rural architecture. To the south and east, the La Mancha plain offers open horizons and a distinctive light that has appeared in numerous internationally recognised productions. This diversity makes Madrid an efficient base for productions that need to alternate between urban filming and natural exteriors without multiplying crew travel.
Connectivity and logistics as a base for shooting across Spain
Madrid is more than a filming destination: it is the best logistical base for producing anywhere on the Iberian Peninsula. Its central geographical position and communications network make it the most efficient starting point for productions that need to move between several regions. If you are considering which area of Spain best suits the specific needs of your project, we recommend consulting our guide to choosing a filming region in Spain.
Transport links: air, rail and road
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport is the fourth-largest airport in Europe in terms of capacity, with direct connections to the main international production markets. In 2026, the opening of the direct connection between Terminal 4 and the Spanish high-speed rail network is scheduled, further strengthening its role as an intermodal hub.
From Madrid, the AVE connects with Barcelona in around two and a half hours, with Seville in approximately two and a half hours, with Valencia in just under two hours and with Málaga in around two and a half hours, making it possible to manage teams and resources spread across the country with relative ease. The network of radial motorways departing from Madrid also facilitates the transportation of heavy equipment to any point on the Iberian Peninsula.
Madrid as a base for multi-region productions
Productions combining locations across several autonomous communities find an optimal operational base in Madrid: domestic flights from Barajas, high-speed trains and the motorway network make it possible to reach Andalusia, the Valencian Community, Castile and León, Galicia or the Basque Country within reasonable travel times. This reduces crew relocation costs and facilitates centralised production coordination from a single command centre.
Institutional support: Film Madrid and regional incentives
The Community of Madrid offers a solid institutional support framework for international productions. Regarding tax incentives for filming in Spain, international productions can access a tax deduction of up to 30% on the first million euros of expenditure in Spain and 25% on the excess, with a maximum limit of €20 million per production (€10 million per episode in the case of series).
The Madrid Film Office also offers direct assistance with location management, guidance on permits and coordination with local administrations. Madrid City Council processes filming permits for public roads through a well-defined structure.
Working with Spain Film Commission from Madrid
Spain Film Commission works as a point of contact for international productions that want to establish themselves in Madrid or use the city as a base for a broader project in Spain. The main objective is for the production to be able to focus on what matters: filming. To this end, the Madrid Film Office offers services such as location identification, connections with local technical suppliers and advice on tax incentives.
If your production is evaluating Spain as a destination and Madrid as a central production hub (kw film production hub), contact us for advice tailored to the specific needs of your project.
