In Aragon, a concert or festival in a venue without a permanent licence for that activity needs prior authorisation. It is granted by the town council, unless the event spans several municipalities. You apply 30 working days in advance, and the event carries insurance by capacity band, a bond and fixed ratios of admission staff and security guards. And you cannot sell tickets until you have the permit in hand.
The foundation is Law 11/2005 of 28 December, regulating public entertainment, recreational activities and public premises in Aragon, whose consolidated text in the BOE (Spain's official gazette) was last updated on 31 July 2026. The regulation that turns everything into figures is Decree 143/2018 of 26 July, published in BOA (Aragon's official gazette) no. 145 of 27 July 2018, which governs occasional and extraordinary events. Insurance is covered by Decree 13/2009 of 10 February, BOA no. 36. If you organise in other regions, see our guides for Galicia, Catalonia, the Basque Country, Andalusia and Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.
Who grants an event permit in Aragon: the town council or the Government of Aragon?
First, you need to know what type of event it is. Article 2.1 of Decree 143/2018 distinguishes three:
- Regular events: those held routinely in permanent premises. A venue licensed for concerts.
- Occasional events: those held «en espacios abiertos al público, utilizando instalaciones eventuales, portátiles o desmontables durante un tiempo determinado» (in spaces open to the public, using temporary, portable or demountable structures for a set period). A festival with a stage and fencing.
- Extraordinary events: those that differ from what is usually held in a venue and are not listed in its operating licence. A concert in a sports hall or a warehouse.
Occasional and extraordinary events «precisan de previa autorización administrativa» (require prior administrative authorisation) (article 8). Article 9.1 assigns it to the «ayuntamiento del término municipal donde se celebre» (town council of the municipality where it takes place). The Government of Aragón authorises in only two cases (article 9.2): when the venue spans more than one municipality and a separate authorisation from each council is not feasible, and when sector legislation requires its involvement.
Our reading of a mismatch. Article 23.b) of Law 11/2005 reserves events «de carácter extraordinario» (of an extraordinary nature) for the autonomous community. The 2018 decree moves the general rule to the town council, and the Government of Aragon's procedure sheet 1327 limits its procedure to the two cases in article 9.2. In practice, the first port of call is the town council. In Huesca and Teruel, regional applications are decided by the Territorial Delegations.
There is one exclusion. Article 3.1 leaves out events organised by local authorities or the Government of Aragon in their own premises or in open spaces with free public access. If a council hires you for its local festivities, it handles the permit itself, although articles 13.2, 15, 16 and 19 to 22 still apply.
How far ahead do you apply, and what paperwork is needed?
The deadline is the figure most organisers miscalculate. Article 10.2 of Decree 143/2018 requires the application to be submitted «con una antelación mínima de 30 días hábiles a su realización, salvo que el aforo sea de menos de 50 personas, en cuyo caso el plazo será de 15 días hábiles» (at least 30 working days before the event, unless the capacity is under 50 people, in which case the period is 15 working days). These are working days: no Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays. Our calculation: 30 working days is about six calendar weeks, more if public holidays fall in between.
| Step | Deadline | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Authorisation application (capacity of 50 or more) | At least 30 working days before | Decree 143/2018, art. 10.2 |
| Authorisation application (fewer than 50 people) | At least 15 working days before | Decree 143/2018, art. 10.2 |
| Notification of the decision to the organiser | At least 5 working days before | Decree 143/2018, art. 10.4 |
| Notice to 112 SOS Aragón and the Government Sub-delegation | At least 72 hours before | Decree 143/2018, art. 13.1 |
| Bond | Lodged with the application | Decree 143/2018, arts. 10.1 and 12 |
Procedure sheet 1327 describes the deadline differently: submission from 30 working days before and up to 72 hours before the event. Our reading: the decree is the rule and it speaks of a «minimum» lead time. Apply 30 working days ahead or earlier, and do not count on the 72-hour window.
What documents the Government of Aragon asks for
According to procedure sheet 1327, a regional application includes ten documents. Among them are proof of availability of the venue, a technical safety report, measures to identify minors and prevention of sexual assault. It also covers the list of admission staff, the security firm, capacity control, the insurance certificate, a declaration on complaint forms and proof of the bond. The administration also checks that you are up to date with the tax authority and Social Security, and that you are registered for the IAE (business activity tax). In addition, each town council may set «prohibiciones, limitaciones o restricciones» (prohibitions, limitations or restrictions) on these authorisations in its bylaws (third additional provision of the decree): read the local bylaw before applying.
The regional authorisation carries a fee. The consolidated text of Aragon's fees, in its consolidated version in the BOE, sets tariff 02 of fee 04, «Espectáculos y actividades recreativas de carácter extraordinario» (Events and recreational activities of an extraordinary nature), at €40.00 per authorisation and day. Amounts may change through rules published in the BOA: confirm the figure on the Government of Aragon fees page before paying.
What insurance and bond does Aragon require by capacity?
These are two separate guarantees. Insurance covers harm to the public and third parties. The bond answers for damage to public property and for penalties.
Public liability insurance under Decree 13/2009
Article 8 of Law 11/2005 requires you to take out the policy before the event starts. Article 2.4 of the regulation approved by Decree 13/2009 clarifies that if the organiser is not the owner of the venue, they need their own policy. The sums in article 2.1 are set by maximum authorised capacity:
| Maximum authorised capacity | Minimum cover | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 50 people | €150,000 | Decree 13/2009, art. 2.1.a |
| Up to 100 people | €300,000 | Decree 13/2009, art. 2.1.b |
| Up to 300 people | €600,000 | Decree 13/2009, art. 2.1.c |
| Up to 700 people | €900,000 | Decree 13/2009, art. 2.1.d |
| Up to 1,500 people | €1,200,000 | Decree 13/2009, art. 2.1.e |
| Up to 5,000 people | €1,500,000 | Decree 13/2009, art. 2.1.f |
| 5,001 to 25,000 people | +€120,000 for every 2,500 people or part thereof | Decree 13/2009, art. 2.2 |
| More than 25,000 people | +€120,000 for every 5,000 people or part thereof | Decree 13/2009, art. 2.3 |
Our own calculation for a festival of 12,000 people. If the €120,000 is counted on the excess over 5,000, that is 7,000 people, or three bands of 2,500: 1,500,000 + 360,000 = €1,860,000. If it is counted on the total capacity, that is five bands and the result is €2,100,000. The text allows both readings; the prudent one is the second.
Demountable structures have their own rule (article 3.2). If their capacity cannot be determined and they are on the public highway, the minimum is €150,000 per structure. The excess cannot exceed 5% of the cover, «sin superar los 30.000 euros» (not exceeding €30,000) (article 6). And the insurance is proven only by a certificate from the insurer with the content set out in article 4. Our guide to public liability insurance for events explains what the policy covers.
The bond under article 12
Article 12.1 of Decree 143/2018 sets minimums: €2,000 up to 500 people, €4,000 from 501 to 1,000 and €6,000 above 1,000. Add €1,000 «por cada incremento de aforo en más de 1.000 personas» (for each increase in capacity of more than 1,000 people), up to a maximum of €20,000. Our calculation for 12,000 people: 6,000 + 11 × 1,000 = €17,000. The ceiling is reached at 15,000. It is lodged in cash, as a bank guarantee or as surety insurance, and returned within 3 working days after the inspection report (12.3 and 12.4). For capacities up to 1,000 people, the administration may waive it by reasoned decision (12.5).
How much admission staff, security and medical cover does Decree 143/2018 require?
The decree turns security into ratios. All are calculated on the authorised capacity of enclosed or delimited spaces, and the authorisation must state the minimum staffing required (articles 17.5 and 18.5).
| Obligation | From what capacity | Minimum ratio | Article |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admission staff | Over 250 with alcohol; over 300 without alcohol | 2 up to 500; 3 up to 1,000; 1 more for every 2,000 above | 17.1.b and 17.2 |
| Admission at each entrance | Whenever there is an admission service | 1 accredited person per gate | 17.3 |
| Private security guards | Over 250 with alcohol; over 500 without alcohol | 1 up to 500; 2 up to 1,000; 1 more for every 500 above | 18.2.b and 18.3 |
| Automatic capacity control with CE marking and cameras | 1,000 people maximum capacity | Full system | 19.1.b |
| First-aid post or BLS or ALS ambulance | Enclosed open-air spaces, no capacity threshold in the text | From one hour before until the end | 20.2 |
Without alcohol, the admission ratios fall to 1 up to 500 and 2 up to 1,000, and one guard is enough up to 1,000.
Our own calculation for a festival of 12,000 people with a bar. Guards: 2 for the first 1,000 and 22 bands of 500 for the remaining 11,000, 24 in total. Admission: 3 for the first 1,000 and 5 for the remaining 11,000, so 8 people, or 9 if the fraction is counted. On top of that, one person per gate (17.3). Admission staff cannot act as guards, or vice versa (17.7 and 18.6). Our guide to security guards at events explains the licences required.
From 1,000 people, article 19.2 also requires a capacity control officer who can tell the security forces at any moment how many people are inside. That figure is easier to give if ticket issuing and gate counting come from the same access control system. Medical cover by region is covered in our guide to ambulances at events.
Toilets, sound and notice to 112
Article 7.3 requires at least one washbasin and one accessible toilet, and the remaining facilities depend on the capacity granted. Portable units can be replaced by public toilets open within 100 metres (7.4). With music, article 22.1 requires a sound limiter; the limits are in our guide to event noise in Spain.
Once the authorisation is granted, the administration notifies 112 SOS Aragón and the Sub-delegation 72 hours in advance (article 13.1). Procedure sheet 1902 sets out the thresholds: in enclosed spaces, more than 10,000 people in municipalities of over 25,000 inhabitants and more than 2,500 in smaller ones. In open spaces with free public access, 10,000 or more.
When is a self-protection plan needed in Aragon?
The current reference is national. Order INT/1068/2026 of 7 October, published in BOE no. 252 of 10 October 2026, approved the new Basic Self-Protection Guideline. Its annex I, section E, sets these thresholds for public entertainment and recreational activities:
| Type of space | National guideline threshold | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosed building | 1,000 people or more, or 28 m evacuation height | E.1.1 |
| Demountable or seasonal enclosed structure | 1,000 people or more | E.1.2 |
| Open air, delimited space | 5,000 people or more | E.2.1 |
| Open air, undelimited space | 20,000 people or more | E.2.2 |
Section 1.4 allows «las administraciones públicas» (public administrations) to set «valores umbrales más restrictivos» (stricter threshold values). Our reading: a fenced festival of 5,000 people in Aragon needs a self-protection plan under the national rule. Before fixing the capacity, ask Aragon's Civil Protection whether any lower threshold applies. The magazine's report on the 2026 guideline explains the other changes.
What rules does Aragon set on ticket sales and resale?
The rule that most affects a promoter's calendar is the one on when you can open sales.
No sales without authorisation
Article 11.2 of Decree 143/2018 says: «La válida publicidad y venta de entradas de un espectáculo público o actividad recreativa queda condicionada a la efectiva obtención de la correspondiente autorización administrativa» (Valid advertising and sale of tickets for a public event or recreational activity is conditional on the corresponding administrative authorisation actually being obtained). The organiser must state in the advertising and on every ticket the information needed to refund the cost if the authorisation is not granted. Having submitted the application is not enough: you need the decision.
Under article 11.1, the authorisation also sets the maximum capacity, «la forma de expedición de entradas» (the way tickets are issued) and «los precios de las entradas» (ticket prices). Our reading: if the decision lists specific prices, changing them later with dynamic pricing may go beyond what was authorised. Check with the authorising body before activating variable tiers.
How many tickets go on sale and who sells them
Law 11/2005 sets four rules in article 38:
- 70% to the public. Companies must sell directly to the public «al menos, el setenta por ciento de cada clase de localidades» (at least seventy per cent of each class of seat) (38.1). For season passes or members' events, the percentage is calculated on what is not reserved (38.2).
- Authorised commissioned sales. Sales with a surcharge «podrá ser autorizada» (may be authorised) by the body that grants the authorisation, once the transfer is proven with the numbering of the tickets transferred (38.5).
- No street selling. «Quedan prohibidas la venta y la reventa ambulantes» (Street selling and street resale are prohibited) (38.6).
- Remote sales. The online regime is referred to a regulation in line with e-commerce legislation (38.7).
Resale
Article 48.o) classes as a serious infringement «la reventa de entradas no autorizada y el incumplimiento de las condiciones establecidas para su venta» (unauthorised ticket resale and breach of the conditions set for their sale). The European Consumer Centre notes that «distintas comunidades autónomas contemplan en su legislación prohibiciones expresas a la reventa» (various autonomous communities provide for express bans on resale in their legislation). The national framework is in our guide to ticket resale in Spain, and refund criteria in the one on refund policy.
Until what time, and with what rules on minors, can an event run in Aragon?
The hours of an occasional event do not come from a table: each authorisation sets them. Article 6 of Decree 143/2018 says that the start and end times «será el señalado para cada evento en la autorización» (will be those stated for each event in the authorisation), reasoned and respectful of noise pollution rules.
The reference for venues is article 34.1 of Law 11/2005:
| Premises | General closing time | Article |
|---|---|---|
| General rule | 1:30 | 34.1.a |
| Bars with music, pubs, clubs and similar | 3:30 | 34.1.c |
| Dance halls, nightclubs, café-theatres and café-concerts | 5:30 | 34.1.c |
Article 34.1.e) extends closing «en una hora» (by one hour) on Fridays, Saturdays and the eves of public holidays. After closing there is a half-hour clearing period, during which «no podrá emitirse música ni servirse nuevas consumiciones» (no music may be played and no new drinks served) (34.1.d). For a real case in Zaragoza, the magazine published the schedules and tickets for Vive Latino 2026.
Minors
Article 32.1.b) of the law prohibits minors from entering dance halls, nightclubs, ballrooms and pubs. It admits those over sixteen and minors accompanied by their parents, «exclusivamente durante las actuaciones en directo» (exclusively during live performances), visibly identified. When the performance ends, they must leave. Article 14.2 of the decree extends those conditions to enclosed spaces used for serving alcohol.
The organiser states in the event plan how minors will be identified (14.3). Admission and security staff may ask for ID at the entrance (14.5). Anyone in regular contact with minors must show that they have no final conviction for sexual offences (14.7). The detail is in our guide to alcohol and minors at events.
What fines apply for non-compliance?
They are set by article 51 of Law 11/2005. The infringements are in articles 47 to 49, and the decree specifies some in its articles 24 and 25:
| Type | Fine | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | Up to €600 | Breaching authorisation requirements not classed as serious (Decree 143/2018, art. 25) |
| Serious | €601 to €30,000, and cumulatively up to €300,000 | Exceeding capacity without serious risk; breaching hours; unauthorised resale; lacking guards or admission staff (arts. 48.e, 48.j, 48.o and 48.l) |
| Very serious | €30,001 to €60,000, and cumulatively up to €600,000 | Exceeding capacity with serious risk; holding expressly prohibited events (arts. 49.d and 49.g) |
Serious infringements may also bring suspension or closure for up to six months. Very serious ones, closure for up to three years «y acumulativamente hasta 10 años» (and cumulatively up to 10 years). Lacking automatic capacity control or cameras counts as serious (article 24.2 of the decree).
A note on summer 2026. Decree-Law 2/2026 of 29 July, issued for the eclipse of 12 August, added to the law a ban on gatherings or parties «cuando carezcan del preceptivo título habilitante» (when they lack the required permit), with raves in mind. Its final provision says it was «vigente los días 10 a 13 de agosto» (in force on 10 to 13 August). The consolidated BOE text still shows those wordings. Our reading: do not build anything on that nuance. Article 8 of Decree 143/2018 already requires prior authorisation, and 11.2 bars ticket sales without it.
Checklist before announcing an event in Aragon
Classify the event. Occasional if you set up structures in an open space; extraordinary if you use a venue whose licence does not cover it. If it spans more than one municipality, the procedure is regional.
Count 30 working days back. That is the minimum lead time under article 10.2 of Decree 143/2018. With fewer than 50 people, 15.
Do not open presale without the decision. Article 11.2 makes sales conditional on the authorisation actually being granted. State on every ticket how the price is refunded if it is not.
Calculate insurance and bond from the tables. Above 5,000 people, add €120,000 for every 2,500 or part thereof, using the prudent reading. The bond reaches €20,000 at 15,000 people.
Size admission and security. With alcohol: one more guard for every 500 people above 1,000, and one admission person per gate.
Install capacity control and cameras from 1,000 people, and appoint the officer who will report to the security forces.
Review the contract with your ticketing provider. Prove the transfer with the numbering of the tickets and reserve at least 70% of each class for sale to the public.
Get the hours in writing in the authorisation. If the line-up runs past the small hours, make sure the decision says so.
Sources
- Ley 11/2005, de 28 de diciembre, reguladora de los espectáculos públicos, actividades recreativas y establecimientos públicos de la Comunidad Autónoma de Aragón, texto consolidado — BOE (BOA of 31 December 2005), last updated 31 July 2026; arts. 8, 15, 23, 32, 34, 38, 47 to 49 and 51
- Decreto 143/2018, de 26 de julio, del Gobierno de Aragón, celebración de espectáculos públicos y actividades recreativas ocasionales y extraordinarios — BOA no. 145, 27 July 2018; arts. 2, 3, 6 to 14, 17 to 20, 22, 24 and 25
- Decreto 13/2009, de 10 de febrero, del Gobierno de Aragón, reglamento de seguros de responsabilidad civil en espectáculos públicos — BOA no. 36, 23 February 2009; annex I, arts. 1 to 6
- Trámite 1327: espectáculo público o actividad recreativa de carácter ocasional o extraordinario — Government of Aragon, Directorate-General for Interior and Emergencies, accessed 13 November 2026
- Trámite 1902: comunicación de celebración de espectáculos públicos y actividades recreativas ocasionales o extraordinarias — Government of Aragon, accessed 13 November 2026
- Decreto Legislativo 1/2004, de 27 de julio, Texto Refundido de las Tasas de la Comunidad Autónoma de Aragón, texto consolidado — BOE, fee 04, tariff 02
- Tasas de la Comunidad Autónoma de Aragón — Government of Aragon, accessed 13 November 2026
- Decreto-ley 2/2026, de 29 de julio, del Gobierno de Aragón, medidas urgentes por el eclipse total del 12 de agosto de 2026 — BOE no. 244, 2 October 2026 (BOA no. 147, 31 July 2026), art. 3 and final provision
- Orden INT/1068/2026, de 7 de octubre, Directriz Básica de Planificación de Protección Civil de autoprotección — BOE no. 252, 10 October 2026, section 1.4 and annex I, section E
- Reventa de entradas — European Consumer Centre in Spain, Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda, accessed 13 November 2026