Booking child models in Spain.
What the official sources say about permits, hours, school, supervision and earnings for models under 18. Checked October 2026.
Who decides
The labour authority (autoridad laboral). From 25 May 2027 it will be the labour authority of the territory where the artistic activity takes place, or where most of it takes place (RD 607/2026, art. 11.3.a).
Permit or licence
Work under 16 is banned (Estatuto de los Trabajadores, art. 6.1). Minors under 16 may take part in public shows only in exceptional cases with written authorisation from the labour authority for specific acts (ET art. 6.4). Until 24 May 2027 (RD 1435/1985, art. 2): the minor's legal representatives apply, with the minor's consent if old enough to judge. The authorisation is in writing and names the show or act. From 25 May 2027 (RD 607/2026, art. 11): the company applies, with the legal representatives' authorisation and the minor's consent if 12 or older. One authorisation per activity, listing the authorised days, hours and places. It is valid across Spain. Extensions must be notified at least 15 working days ahead. The new decree covers performing arts, audiovisual and music work, including recordings for distribution on the internet. The sources do not name print or photo modelling expressly.
Age bands
Under 16 needs authorisation. Bands from 25 May 2027: up to 2 months, 2 months to 1 year, 1 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12, 12 to 16. 16 and 17 year olds have separate rules.
Working hours
Until 24 May 2027 the decree sets no hour table. The general rule for under 18 is a maximum of 8 hours of actual work a day, a break of at least 30 minutes if the day exceeds 4.5 hours, no overtime, no night work and 2 days weekly rest (ET arts. 6, 34, 37). From 25 May 2027 (RD 607/2026, art. 11.2), including preparation time: no work at all up to 2 months; 2 months to 1 year, 2 h a day and 4 h a week; 1 to 3, 3 h a day and 6 h a week; 3 to 6, 4 h a day and 10 h a week; 6 to 12, 5 h a day and 15 h a week (25 h in non school periods); 12 to 16, 6 h a day and 24 h a week (30 h in non school periods). Breaks of at least 30 minutes. No overtime and no night work. In exceptional cases night work may be authorised: ages 12 to 14 until 23:00 (00:00 in non school periods); 15 to 16 until 00:00. Night work at most 3 days a week, with at least 16 hours rest after each day.
School
From 25 May 2027 the work must fit the child's daily schooling or a company provided alternative that follows the official curriculum. It should take place mainly in non school periods such as holidays or weekends (art. 11.2.a).
Chaperone and supervision
From 25 May 2027 a relative up to second degree, or a person named by the company with the legal representatives' agreement, must be present during the work (art. 11.2.b). Before that date: not stated in the sources checked.
Earnings
From 25 May 2027 the minor may not suffer any pay discrimination because of age (art. 11.2.g). No trust or set aside rule is stated in the sources checked.
Good to know
RD 607/2026 was published on 25 July 2026 and enters into force 10 months later. BOE shows RD 1435/1985 repealed with effect from 25 May 2027. From that date minors may not take part in sexually explicit scenes. Children under 7 may not take part in violent scenes. Extra precautions on lighting, sound and make-up apply up to age 3.