In short
- At 16 or 17, the law does not require them to be accompanied: none of the seven regional regulations we have reviewed requires it at that age, although some festivals still ask for a signed authorisation.
- Under 16, they almost always have to go in with an adult: the Valencian Community is the exception, because between 14 and 15 an authorisation from the father, mother or guardian is enough.
- Not just any adult will do everywhere: Andalusia accepts a person authorised by the parents, whereas Madrid, Catalonia and, since March 2026, Galicia refer to parents or guardians.
- On the day of the concert, bring the minor's DNI, the festival's authorisation form and a copy of the signatory's DNI: without those documents you may be turned away, and some festivals do not refund the ticket.
For under-16s, the short answer is that the minor will have to go in accompanied almost everywhere in Spain. The small print lies in who can accompany them: since 7 March 2026, Galicia only accepts the father, mother, guardian or legal custodian at any music event venue, whereas in Andalusia an adult authorised by them is enough.
There is no national rule that settles this for the whole country. Each region regulates it in its own way and, on top of that, each festival publishes its own entry conditions, which can be stricter than the law. This guide covers all three levels: age, who can accompany and what to bring.
How old do you have to be to go to a concert alone?
From the age of 16, the regional regulations we have reviewed (Madrid, Catalonia, Valencian Community, Andalusia, Galicia, Basque Country and Aragon) do not require going to a concert with an adult. Aragon states it explicitly: over-16s can go in alone during the live performance, provided they are visibly identified, so that nobody serves them alcohol.
The fact that the law does not require it does not mean every festival accepts it. Some also ask 16- and 17-year-olds for a form signed by their parents: that was the case at Vibras Fuengirola in its 2026 edition. What counts at the gate is what the organiser publishes, so it is worth reading it before buying.
Under-16s: when an authorisation is enough and when you have to go with them
Under 16, the general rule is to go in accompanied. Madrid, Catalonia, Andalusia, Galicia and Aragon set it out this way for concerts, and the same applies in the Basque Country in indoor venues that serve alcohol.
The Valencian Community is the only one that distinguishes two age bands. Its entertainment law allows under-16s into concert halls and live music shows with the authorisation of the father, mother or guardian, and only requires under-14s to be accompanied. In practice, a 14- or 15-year-old boy or girl can go to a concert in Valencia with a signed authorisation, without their parents having to go in. The same law adds that the admission of minors is determined by the organiser's right of admission, so a festival can ask for more.
Another condition recurs in almost all the regulations: when the concert is held in a venue or nightclub, minors have to leave when the performance ends, even if the venue stays open for its usual business.
Who can accompany: parents, guardians or an authorised adult
This is where it is easiest to get it wrong: assuming that any adult will do. It depends on the region and the festival.
- Only parents or guardians: this is the approach in Madrid, Catalonia and Aragon (which refers to parents or those exercising parental authority). Galicia went further in its law of March 2026: it prohibits under-16s from entering leisure venues and «spaces intended for music events» unless they are with their father, mother, guardian or legal custodian. If a minor breaks this rule, the offence is theirs: the law classifies it as minor.
- An authorised adult is also accepted: in Andalusia, an under-16 can go with their legal guardian or with an adult expressly authorised by them. In the Basque Country, the regulation refers to parents or «responsible persons».
Open-air festivals do not always fit into the venue categories of these regulations, which is why the organiser's conditions carry so much weight. In Andalusia, for example, the regional government explained when it approved the 2018 reform that, at festivals, the conditions are set by the event's municipal licence. If you are going with a minor who is not your child, check beforehand whether the festival accepts authorised adults.
The rules in each region
The table summarises what the seven regulations say about concerts and shows with live music. In other regions, the reference is their public entertainment law, and always the conditions published by each festival.
| Region | Under-16s | Who can accompany | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid | Can enter venues and nightclubs only if there is a live performance, and accompanied | Parents or guardians | Law 17/1997, art. 25 |
| Catalonia | Can enter concert halls, nightclubs and music bars only with a live performance, and accompanied | Parents or guardians | Decree 112/2010, art. 53 |
| Valencian Community | Aged 14 to 15, with authorisation; under-14s, accompanied | Father, mother or guardian | Law 14/2010, art. 34 |
| Andalusia | In venues with music, only if the owner or organiser allows it for that performance, and accompanied | Legal guardian or an adult authorised by them | Decree 10/2003, art. 3 (amended in 2018) |
| Galicia | Only accompanied in leisure venues and at any music event venue | Father, mother, guardian or legal custodian | Law 6/2025, art. 29 (since 7/3/2026) |
| Basque Country | Accompanied in indoor venues that serve alcohol; in pubs, only until 22:00 | Parents or responsible persons | Decree 17/2019, art. 52 |
| Aragon | Accompanied during the live performance; from 16, can go alone and identified | Parents or those exercising parental authority | Law 11/2005, art. 32 |
All of them maintain a prohibition with no exceptions: alcohol cannot be sold or served to under-18s.
What each festival asks for on top of the law
The conditions of two 2026 festivals show how much they vary from one gate to another:
- Share Festival (Barcelona): under-16s enter with their father, mother, guardian or an adult authorised by them. At the entrance you have to present the signed authorisation form and a photocopy of the DNI or passport of the minor and of the person giving authorisation. An adult can accompany a maximum of five minors and must buy their own ticket.
- Resurrection Fest (Viveiro): under-16s can only attend with their father, mother, guardian or legal carer; another adult will not do. 16- and 17-year-olds enter without a companion, and under-12s go free. If the conditions are not met, the festival can eject the minor without a refund.
The difference between the two is in line with their regions: Galician law does not accept authorised adults at any music event venue, whereas the Catalan regulation lists concert halls, nightclubs and music bars, and does not mention open-air festivals.
What to bring on the day of the concert
- The minor's DNI or passport. It is the first thing they ask for at the age check, including for 16- and 17-year-olds.
- The DNI of the accompanying adult, if the minor has to be accompanied.
- The festival's authorisation form, signed by the father, mother or guardian. Always use the template published by the organiser: each one asks for different details.
- A photocopy of the DNI of the person signing the authorisation. Some festivals, such as Share, also ask for the minor's.
- The adult's ticket: the person accompanying has to be inside the site and needs their own.
Check the entry conditions on the festival's official website a few days beforehand. They change from one edition to the next and, if a document is missing at the gate, you will usually not be let in.
If you are going with young children, this other guide has tips for planning the day.
Regulations consulted on 24 October 2026 in their official gazettes: Law 17/1997 of the Community of Madrid and Law 11/2005 of Aragon (consolidated texts from the BOE), Law 14/2010 of the Valencian Community (consolidated text from the BOE, with the amendment of Law 3/2026), Decree 112/2010 of Catalonia (DOGC), Decree 211/2018 of Andalusia (BOJA), Law 6/2025 of Galicia (BOE) and Decree 17/2019 of the Basque Country (BOPV). Entry conditions for Share Festival and Resurrection Fest as published on their official websites.
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