Foreign correspondents, contributors and special reporters in Spain

Accreditation procedure

Regulations

In compliance with section b), article 3.7 of Royal Decree 1418/2004, dated 11 June,  the Directorate General of Communication, reporting to the Ministry of the Presidency, is responsible for the  "accreditation of foreign correspondents, contributors and special reporters".

This procedure is regulated by Royal Decree 3882/82, of December 29 (Official State Gazette (BOE) 31/12/82).

Accreditation of Foreign Correspondents

Media accreditation is reserved for members of the press who represent a foreign news media organization witch they are bound by contract and who work exclusively for them.

Acreditation will be granted upon presentation of the following:

1. Letter by the media organization signed by the Editor-in-Chief or News Editor indicating:
   • that the applicant is a professional journalist who has been appointed to report news for the said media organization
   • that there is a permanent working relationship between the applicant and the media, indicating the applicant's salary
   • that the applicant will only perform news reporting task
   • if there are other accredited correspondents from the same media, indicating who is  the Bureau Chief
   • characteristics of the media (type of information, broadcast or circulation or audience, etc.)

The letter signed by the media organization's Editor-in-Chief or News Editor must be addressed to:

Directora General de Comunicación , Secretaría de Estado de Comunicación, Complejo de la  Moncloa. 28071- Madrid. Fax: (+34) 913 214 231.

2. Photocopy of valid passport/national ID card.
3. If the applicant is living in Spain, photocopy of resident card or ID card issued by the Registro Central de Ciudadanos de la Unión Europea (Central Registry for EU citizens).
4. Photocopy of the employment contract.
5. Photocopy of the professional press card issued in the applicant's country of origin.
6. Applicant's work record.
7. Two ID-sized photos.
8. Duly completed accreditation application form

Accreditation of Foreign Press Contributors

Professionals residing in Spain who work regularly as part-time journalists for a foreign media or who are paid per assignment, are accredited as foreign press contributors.

Accreditation will be granted upon presentation of the following:

1. Letter by the media organisation signed by the Editor-in-Chief or News Editor indicating:
   • that the applicant is a regular contributor to the media and is paid for his/her work
   • characteristics of the media (type of information, circulation or audience, area of influence, etc.)
   • if applicable, the names of other correspondents or contributors accredited in Spain for the same media.

The letter signed by the Editor-in-Chief or News Editor must be addressed to:

Directora General de Comunicación, Secretaría de Estado de Comunicación,  Complejo de La Moncloa  28071- Madrid. Fax: (+34) 913 214 231.

2. Photocopy of valid passport/national ID card.

3. If the applicant is a journalists from a non-EU country, freelance work permit and resident card. Journalists from EU countries, an ID card issued by the Registro Central de Ciudadanos de la Unión Europea (Central Registry for EU citizens).

4. Photocopy of the professional press card issued in the applicant's country of origin.

5. Applicant's work record.
6. Two ID-sized photos.
7. Duly completed accreditation application form

Accreditation of Special Reporters

Accreditation to special reporters is granted to foreign journalists who work in Spain on a temporary basis and require accreditation to facilitate their work.

Accreditation will be granted upon presentation of the following:

1. Letter by the media organisation signed by the  Editor-in-Chief or News Editor indicating:
   • that the applicant is a professional journalist who works for the said media and is planning to travel to Spain as the media's special reporter in this country.
   • period for which the accreditation is requested (less than three months).
   • professional assignment.

The letter signed by the Editor-in-Chief or News Editor must be addressed to:

Directora General de Comunicación, Secretaría de Estado de Comunicación, Complejo de La Moncloa. 28071- Madrid. Fax: (+34) 913 214 231,

2. Photocopy of valid passport.
3. Two ID-sized photos.
4. Duly completed accreditation application form

Application and documentation required

Servicio de Corresponsales Extranjeros
Subdirección General de Información Internacional
Dirección General de Comunicación
Secretaría de Estado de Comunicación
Complejo de la Moncloa
28071 - Madrid
Tel.: (+34) 913 214 119 - (+34)913 214 126 - (+34)913 214 176
Fax: (+34)913 214 231
corresponsales@mpr.es

Journalists who do not hold a resident card and need to apply for a visa must do so at the corresponding Spanish consulate.

Application renewal

Accreditations are valid por one year. Afterwards, they can be renewed on an anual basis upon request by the media organisation.

In addition to the application form, the following are required:

1. A letter of assignment signed by the Editor-in-Chief or News Editor, addressed to the Director General de Información Internacional, specifying that the journalist is still working for the organisation and requesting the renewal of his or her foreign press pass.
2. Photocopy of passport, if renewed in the last year.
3. Photocopy  of resident card.
4. ID-sized photo in JPG format to replace the photo on existing press pass.
5. Duly completed application form (same as new application).
   When de application form is submitted to the Servicio de Corresponsales Extranjeros, it will be processed for accreditation renewal. Interested parties will be notified when the new foreign press card is ready.

Presentation of application

1. Through La Moncloa website
   Applications for accreditation or accreditation renewal can be submitted online through the La Moncloa website. Applicants are required to fill in the application form and attach a scanned file of all the documents required.
2. By mail to the:
   Servicio de Corresposales Extranjeros
   Dirección General de Comunicación
   Secretaría de Estado de Comunicación
   Complejo de La Moncloa
   28071 - Madrid
   Tel.: (+34)913 214 119 - (+34)913 214 126 - (+34)913 214 176
   Fax: (+34)913 214 231
   corresponsales@mpr.es
   
3. Through any of the channels indicated in Article 38 of Law 30/92, of November 26, on the Legal Framework of Public Administration and Common Administrative Procedures.