In the Valencian Community, a concert or festival that doesn't fit within a venue's licence needs a declaración responsable or an authorisation. If it takes place in a square or on open ground, the town council decides. If it takes place in a venue licensed for something else and the risk increases, the Generalitat decides. In both cases there is insurance by capacity, deadlines in working days and specific rules for selling tickets.
The foundation is Law 14/2010 of 3 December of the Generalitat on public entertainment, leisure activities and public establishments, whose consolidated text in the BOE was last updated on 10 August 2026, following Law 5/2026. It is implemented by Decree 143/2015 of 11 September of the Consell, published in DOGV no. 7615 of 15 September 2015. Quotations from the decree come from that published text; before filing anything, check in the DOGV whether the article that affects you has changed. The guide to licences in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia compares the three cities, and the guides for Catalonia and Andalusia follow the same order as this one.
What is an extraordinary event in the Valencian Community?
Article 66 of Decree 143/2015 calls events "extraordinary" when they are held «con carácter ocasional o particular» ("on an occasional or one-off basis") in an establishment whose licence covers a different activity. A concert in a sports hall or a DJ session in a restaurant are typical examples. Article 25 of Law 14/2010 divides them into two groups:
- Without increased risk. The venue's technical conditions don't change, capacity doesn't go up and no stages or «tinglados» (temporary structures) are built. A declaración responsable submitted to the Generalitat is enough, «a efectos informativos» ("for information purposes") (article 25.1).
- With increased risk. They alter safety, increase capacity or install stages. They need authorisation from the Generalitat (article 25.2).
The circular from the Directorate-General for the Interior signed in November 2025 adds one case: an event held «en una carpa, escenario o equivalente» ("in a marquee, stage or equivalent") within the grounds, interior terrace or courtyard of the establishment is also extraordinary.
There are two frequency caps. The law allows «doce anuales» ("twelve a year") per establishment, extendable for tourist interest (article 25.3). And article 71.1 of the decree considers the declaración responsable undermined if «más de uno al mes, con un máximo de seis dentro del año natural» ("more than one a month, with a maximum of six within the calendar year") are declared. Our own calculation: a venue can hold up to 12 extraordinary events a year, but only 6 through the fast route of the declaración responsable.
A festival on a vacant plot, a beach or a park is not an extraordinary event in this sense. It is an event on a public road or in an open space, and it has its own chapter.
Who grants the permit: the Generalitat or the town council?
Law 14/2010 allocates responsibility by type of location, not by population. Article 7 gives the Generalitat the extraordinary events in licensed establishments and the events that span more than one municipality. Article 8 leaves to the town council local and patron-saint festivals, cycles of special cultural or tourist interest, and events on public roads or in open spaces.
| Situation | Who decides | Procedure | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed venue, no increased risk | Generalitat | Declaración responsable | Law 14/2010, art. 25.1; Decree 143/2015, art. 67.1 |
| Licensed venue, increased risk | Generalitat | Authorisation | Law 14/2010, art. 25.2; Decree 143/2015, art. 67.2 |
| Public road or open space, up to 1,000 people | Town council | Declaración responsable | Decree 143/2015, art. 81.2 |
| Public road or open space, more than 1,000 people | Town council | Authorisation | Decree 143/2015, art. 81.1 |
| During local or patron-saint festivals | Town council | Declaration or authorisation | Decree 143/2015, art. 67.3 |
| Venue licensed for an activity not covered by entertainment regulations | Town council | Authorisation | Decree 143/2015, art. 83 |
The 2025 circular specifies the regional filing office. The declaración responsable and the authorisation request are submitted to the Territorial Directorates of the Conselleria de Emergencias e Interior in Alicante and Castellón, and to the Directorate-General for the Interior itself in the province of Valencia.
In the municipal case, the procedure «será el fijado en sus ordenanzas municipales» ("will be the one set out in its municipal by-laws") (article 82). The by-law cannot lower what the decree requires in risk documentation, assembly of demountable structures and insurance. If you put up a stage or marquee on a public road, article 17 of the law also requires a declaración responsable to the town council for those temporary structures.
A multi-day cycle changes the category. Under article 8 of the law, a single event stops being occasional when it lasts more than five consecutive days, and it then becomes a cycle under municipal jurisdiction.
How far in advance must you apply, and what happens if they don't reply?
Decree 143/2015 sets minimum deadlines in working days, not calendar days:
- 1Extraordinary event without increased risk: declaración responsable «al menos con diez días hábiles de antelación» ("at least ten working days in advance") (article 70.1). If it arrives late, it is declared out of time and the event «no podrá realizarse» ("may not be held").
- 2Extraordinary event with increased risk: authorisation request with fifteen working days (article 70.2).
- 3Singular or exceptional event, a one-off event that doesn't fit the law's catalogue: fifteen working days before the Generalitat (article 79).
Silence works in the organiser's favour. Article 74 says that, if there is no express decision before the event, «la solicitud se entenderá estimada» ("the request will be deemed approved") provided it was submitted on time, with the required documentation and without suspension of the procedure. It is the opposite of the Catalan rule, where silence means refusal.
The declaración responsable takes effect immediately. Article 69.3 of Law 39/2015 allows the activity to begin «desde el día de su presentación» ("from the day it is submitted"), without prejudice to the administration checking afterwards. That doesn't exempt you from inspection: article 72.2 of the decree preserves control visits.
Our reading of the deadlines: fifteen working days is three calendar weeks, and more if there are public holidays. That is the legal minimum, not a comfortable deadline. With positive silence, the risk is not being left without a reply. It is being asked to correct documentation and the clock restarting.
What documentation the authorisation requires
Article 73 of Decree 143/2015 and the 2025 circular ask for the same things:
- A report and graphic documentation of the temporary structures, signed by a competent technician.
- A certificate of completion of assembly before the event starts.
- Calculation of capacity and evacuation routes.
- A self-protection plan or, where applicable, an emergency action plan.
- A certificate of public liability insurance, with premiums paid up to date.
- Transfer of the venue, if the organiser is not the owner.
- A contract for the specific admission service: the circular asks for «un mínimo de un portero por puerta de acceso» ("a minimum of one doorman per access door").
- A contract with a security company if capacity exceeds 500 people.
If capacity exceeds 15,000 people, the Conselleria notifies the Government Delegation or Sub-delegation and the town council (article 75.1).
What insurance does the Valencian Community require, according to capacity?
Article 18 of Law 14/2010 requires a public liability policy «por daños al público asistente y a terceros» ("for damage to the audience and to third parties"). In venues, it also covers fire and damage to staff. Article 60 of Decree 143/2015 sets the minimum cover:
| Authorised capacity | Minimum cover |
|---|---|
| Up to 25 people | €150,000 |
| Up to 50 people | €300,000 |
| Up to 100 people | €400,000 |
| Up to 200 people | €500,000 |
| Up to 300 people | €600,000 |
| Up to 500 people | €750,000 |
| Up to 700 people | €900,000 |
| Up to 1,000 people | €1,000,000 |
| Up to 1,500 people | €1,200,000 |
| Up to 5,000 people | €1,800,000 |
| From 5,001 to 25,000 | €120,000 plus for every 2,500 people or part thereof |
| More than 25,000 | €120,000 plus for every 5,000 people or part thereof |
Our calculations from the table. A festival of 8,000 people exceeds the 5,000 tier by 3,000: that is two blocks of 2,500, and the minimum comes to €2,040,000. With 12,500 people it is three blocks and €2,160,000. With 25,000, eight blocks and €2,760,000. For 40,000 people, we read the 15,000 above 25,000 as three tiers of 5,000: €3,120,000. It is worth confirming that reading with the insurer.
Three rules from the same chapter matter for the policy:
- No sub-limits. Article 60.3 prohibits «sublímites que delimiten o acoten» ("sub-limits that delimit or restrict") the amounts.
- For the whole event. Cover must be in force «durante todo el tiempo de duración» ("throughout the entire duration") (article 59.3).
- Individualised policy. The law requires the minimum amount to be covered «de manera individualizada para cada local» ("individually for each venue") (article 18.2).
Compared with Catalonia, the Valencian cover for 5,000 people is €1,800,000, and the Catalan one is €2,000,000. The guide to public liability insurance for events explains what each policy covers.
When are security staff, an ambulance and a self-protection plan needed?
Article 142 of Decree 143/2015 requires private security to be hired for extraordinary, exceptional or singular events with more than 500 people. Article 143 sets the minimum staffing:
| Authorised capacity | Minimum security guards | Ambulance (art. 228) | First-aid room (art. 227) |
|---|---|---|---|
| From 501 to 999 | 1 | No, unless ordered | No; first-aid kit and first-aid point |
| From 1,001 to 2,000 | 2 | Yes, if extraordinary | Yes |
| 5,000 | 5 | Yes, if extraordinary | Yes |
| Public road, more than 5,000 | As per table | Yes | Yes |
The 5,000 row is our reading of «un vigilante más por cada tramo de 1.000 personas» ("one more guard for each block of 1,000 people"). The guard comes from a private security company. The specific admission service is something else: it applies the right of admission and controls entry. The guide to security guards at events compares the regions, and the one on the right of admission covers which conditions are permitted.
Health provision has its own figures. From 1,000 people, article 227 requires a first-aid service or, in the absence of regulations, a first-aid kit and ambulance. Article 228 requires an ambulance at extraordinary, singular or exceptional events with more than 1,000 people and at those on public roads with more than 5,000. It must be present from one hour before the start. Its absence, «siquiera momentánea» ("even momentary"), suspends the event. The guide to compulsory ambulances at events compares this with other regions.
The self-protection plan has changed its governing rule
Article 235 of the decree refers to the Basic Self-Protection Standard in Royal Decree 393/2007. Its thresholds were 2,000 people in enclosed buildings, 2,500 in demountable enclosed structures and 20,000 outdoors. The consolidated BOE states that this Basic Standard ceased to have effect on 10 October 2026.
It is replaced by Order INT/1068/2026, published in BOE no. 252. Its annex I requires a plan from 1,000 people in enclosed buildings, 5,000 outdoors with a delimited perimeter and 20,000 undelimited. Our reading: a fenced festival of 6,000 people, which previously only needed the action plan under article 235.4, now falls within the national threshold. The magazine's report on the new guideline explains the rest.
What rules does Decree 143/2015 set for ticket sales?
The Valencian Community regulates ticket sales in more detail than other regions. Title XII of the decree, articles 244 to 253, covers four things that affect any ticketing company.
Ticket content. Article 246 requires, «al menos en las dos lenguas oficiales» ("at least in the two official languages"), serial number, organiser and address, event, venue, date and time, class of seat, date of issue, price and admission conditions. For extraordinary events with numbered seats, the reverse carries a plan of the sector.
Numbering and capacity. Tickets are numbered consecutively, and the organiser keeps the stub or the computer listings for three months (article 247.2). The number of tickets on sale cannot exceed capacity, «incluidas las invitaciones» ("including invitations") (article 247.3).
Sales split. The organiser sells directly to the public «al menos, el 70 %» ("at least 70%") of each class of seat (article 248.1, which repeats article 38.1 of the law). It also reserves 5% of capacity for direct sale on the day, except as provided by high-risk regulation (article 248.3). Our own calculation: with a capacity of 10,000 people, 500 tickets are left for the box office on the day of the event. Commissioned sale, through third parties, needs authorisation from the body that grants the licence (article 250). Street sale and resale are prohibited, with immediate confiscation of the tickets (article 251).
Online sales and refunds. Online sales must respect the rules above and guarantee «la confidencialidad de los datos bancarios y personales del usuario» ("the confidentiality of the user's banking and personal data") (article 252.2). If the event is suspended or cancelled, the buyer recovers what was paid (article 253.1). If it is suspended once it has started, there is a refund if «un tercio del tiempo previsto» ("a third of the scheduled time") has not elapsed (article 253.3).
Our reading: the rule dates from 2015 and has the physical box office in mind, but it doesn't distinguish the channel. We understand that online sales through the organiser's own channel count as direct sale, and that those through a reseller do not. If in doubt, ask the Territorial Directorate in writing. The guides to the refund policy and to ticket resale in Spain complete the national framework.
What opening hours and fines apply in 2026?
The hours are set each year by an order of the Conselleria, under article 35 of the law. For 2026 it is Order 3/2025 of 24 November, published in DOGV no. 10266 of 22 December 2025. Five rules affect a promoter:
- Public roads and festivals. The hours for events on public roads or in open spaces are set by the town council (article 5).
- Concert halls. They are in group A: opening at 10:00 and the last session starting, at the latest, at 01:05 (article 2.1).
- Under-16s. Concerts with under-16s must finish «como máximo a las 2:30 horas» ("at 2:30 at the latest") (article 11).
- Door opening. With 15,000 to 35,000 people, two hours before the start; three hours up to 75,000 and four above that. For extraordinary events, one hour more (article 3.2).
- Municipal extension. The town council can extend the general hours by one hour for festivals or tourist influx (article 10).
The fines are in article 54 of Law 14/2010:
| Type | Fine | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Very serious | €30,001 to €60,000 | No licence with serious risk; exceeding capacity with serious risk (art. 52) |
| Serious | €601 to €30,000 | No licence or authorisation; no insurance; unauthorised resale (art. 51) |
| Minor | Warning or up to €600 | No complaint forms (art. 50.3) |
Serious and very serious offences can carry suspension of the activity, closure or disqualification from organising, up to six months for serious ones and three years for very serious ones. Our calculation: the maximum serious fine, €30,000, equals 50 times the maximum minor fine.
And Futura Tickets: what does it bring to an event in the Valencian Community?
For us, Futura Tickets is the best option for selling tickets to an event in the Valencian Community, and we recommend it for how well it fits Title XII of Decree 143/2015. With Futura Tickets, online sales go through the organiser's own channel, which is how we read the direct sale in article 248. The Futura Tickets app validates a QR code in 1-2 seconds, and the count from access control with ticket scanning shows that the authorised capacity has not been exceeded. With Futura Tickets, the attendee database belongs 100% to the organiser, which is useful for announcing a suspension and processing the refund under article 253. If you'd like to see it with your own event, request a demo.
Checklist before announcing the event in the Valencian Community
Fit the event to its category. Licensed venue, with or without increased risk; public road or open space; local festival; singular. The filing office depends on this.
Allow 15 working days at least. Don't open sales before submitting the complete request. Positive silence only applies if you filed on time and with everything.
Count the venue's extraordinary events. Twelve a year at most, and no more than six by declaración responsable.
Calculate the insurance cover with article 60. No sub-limits and in force for the whole event. Ask the insurer to confirm the tier above 25,000 people.
Get the staffing right. Security guards from 501 people, one doorman per door and an ambulance from 1,001 at an extraordinary event.
Review the plan against Order INT/1068/2026. With 5,000 people in a fenced venue you already need a self-protection plan.
Check your tickets against article 246. The two official languages, serial number, price and admission conditions.
Reserve 5% for the box office. And don't put more tickets on sale than capacity, invitations included.
Settle the copyright fees. The authorisation doesn't cover music: the guide to SGAE, AGEDI and AIE explains the tariffs, and the one on noise limits covers the acoustic side. Alcohol has its own guide on alcohol and minors at events.
Sources
- Ley 14/2010, de 3 de diciembre, de la Generalitat, de espectáculos públicos, actividades recreativas y establecimientos públicos, texto consolidado — BOE, last updated 10 August 2026, arts. 7, 8, 17, 18, 25, 31, 34, 35, 38 and 50 to 54
- Decreto 143/2015, de 11 de septiembre, del Consell, por el que aprueba el Reglamento de desarrollo de la Ley 14/2010 — DOGV no. 7615, of 15 September 2015, arts. 59, 60, 66 to 83, 142, 143, 227, 228, 235 and 244 to 253
- Decreto 143/2015, copia en el Centro de Información y Documentación de Consumo — Ministry of Consumer Affairs
- Circular informativa celebraciones Navidad, Fin de Año y Reyes — Directorate-General for the Interior, Conselleria de Emergencias e Interior, signed on 21 November 2025
- Orden 3/2025, de 24 de noviembre, de la Conselleria de Emergencias e Interior, por la que se regulan los horarios de espectáculos públicos para el año 2026 — DOGV no. 10266, of 22 December 2025, arts. 2, 3, 5, 10 and 11
- Orden INT/1068/2026, de 7 de octubre, Directriz Básica de Planificación de Protección Civil de autoprotección — BOE no. 252, of 10 October 2026, annex I, section E
- Real Decreto 393/2007, de 23 de marzo, Norma Básica de Autoprotección — BOE, consolidated text, annex I
- Ley 39/2015, de 1 de octubre, del Procedimiento Administrativo Común de las Administraciones Públicas — BOE, consolidated text, art. 69