Regulation for International Correspondents
The regulation governing the accreditation procedure for correspondents, collaborators and special envoys is Royal Decree 3882/82 of 29 December (B.O.E. 31.12.1982).
Accreditation as a foreign press correspondent
This accreditation is issued to journalists working for foreign media to which they are linked by a contract and with exclusive focus on this news task.
The documentation to be provided is as follows:
1. Original letter from the director or editor of the media outlet addressed to the director of the Department of International Information, State Secretariat for Communication, Moncloa Palace, 28071 Madrid, stating:
- That the person concerned is a professional journalist and has been appointed to work as a journalist for the media outlet.
- That there is a permanent employment relationship between the person concerned and the media outlet, and mentioning, if possible, the income that they will receive.
- That the person concerned will focus exclusively on the news task for which they have been appointed.
- In the event that there are other correspondents of the same media outlet accredited in Spain, it must be indicated which of them is the chief correspondent.
- Characteristics of the media outlet (type of information, dissemination or audience, etc.).
- The letter should include a contact address.
2. Copy of valid passport or ID card.
3. In the case of journalists from non-EU countries: Spanish residence card.
4. For EU nationals: document issued by the Central Register of EU Citizens.
5. Employment contract or justification of the employment relationship with the media outlet.
6. If available: qualifications entitling the person concerned to work as a journalist in their country of origin, if such qualifications are required in their country of origin.
7. Short professional CV of the applicant.
8. Photograph in JPG format.
9. Accreditation application form, duly completed.
Additional documentation may be requested, if necessary, for the resolution of the file.
Accreditation as a foreign press collaborator
Professionals who are resident in Spain and regularly carry out journalistic activity for a foreign media outlet, without exclusive focus, or who are remunerated for work carried out, may apply to be accredited as foreign press collaborators.
The documentation to be provided is as follows:
1. Original letter from the director or editor of the media outlet addressed to the director of the Department of International Information, State Secretariat for Communication, Moncloa Palace, 28071 Madrid, stating:
- That the journalist collaborates regularly with their media outlet, receiving financial remuneration for their work.
- Characteristics of the medium: type of information, circulation or audience, geographical scope covered, etc.
- If applicable, names of other accredited correspondents or collaborators in Spain for the same media outlet.
2. Copy of valid passport or ID card.
3. In the case of journalists from non-EU countries: self-employed work and residence permit.
- Journalists who do not have authorisation to reside in Spain and need to apply for a visa must apply for accreditation at the Spanish consular office corresponding to their place of residence.
4. For EU nationals: document issued by the Central Register of EU Citizens.
5. If available: qualifications entitling the person concerned to work as a journalist in their country of origin, if such qualifications are required in their country of origin.
6. Short professional CV of the applicant.
7. Photograph in JPG format.
8. Accreditation application form, duly completed.
Additional documentation may be requested, if necessary, for the resolution of the file.
Accreditation as special envoy
This accreditation may be requested by journalists from foreign media outlets who sporadically carry out their professional work in Spain and wish to have an accreditation that facilitates their work.
The documentation to be provided is as follows:
1. Original letter from the director or editor of the media outlet addressed to the director of the Department of International Information, State Secretariat for Communication, Moncloa Palace, 28071 Madrid, stating:
- That the person concerned is a professional journalist in the service of the media outlet and plans to travel to Spain as a special envoy for the media outlet.
- Period for which accreditation is requested (fewer than three months).
- News task to be carried out.
2. Copy of valid passport or ID card.
3. Journalists who do not have authorisation to reside in Spain and need to apply for a visa must apply for accreditation at the Spanish consular office corresponding to their place of residence.
4. Photograph in JPG format.
5. Accreditation application form, duly completed.
Additional documentation may be requested, if necessary, for the resolution of the file.
Renewal of accreditation as a foreign press correspondent or collaborator in Spain
Accreditations are valid for one year. After this time and at the media outlet's request, they shall be renewed for annual periods.
The following documentation shall be attached to the renewal application:
1. Original letter from your media outlet, addressed to the Directorate General for International Information, stating that you will continue to work for your media outlet.
2. Copy of your passport and residence card or ID card, if you have renewed them.
3. Photograph in JPG format, only if you want to change the one you currently have.
Submission of the application and regulatory documentation
If the request for accreditation or renewal is submitted by e-mail, it should be sent to the following address: corresponsales@comunicacion.presidencia.gob.es.
In this case, the original of the letter from the director or editor of the media outlet must be delivered by hand or sent to the following postal address:
Foreign Correspondent Service
Sub-Directorate General for International Information
International Information Department
State Secretariat for Communication
Moncloa Palace.
28071 - MADRID.
The contact telephone numbers for the Foreign Correspondents Service are as follows: 91 321 4176 - 91 321 4126