Where is ‘Money Heist’ Filmed?

The Spanish-language Netflix drama Money Heist follows a group of robbers who seize control over Spain’s Royal Mint and the Bank of Spain. The majority of the show takes place in these two locations. But, fans might not know that certain scenes were not filmed at the actual site So, where is Money Heist filmed? 

The ‘Money Heist’ crew filmed in multiple locations around Madrid

Although people can visit the Royal Mint of Spain daily, the Money Heist crew could not film at the actual location! According to CatsHostels.com, the first two seasons were filmed in multiple locations across Madrid. For example, some interior scenes were filmed in a town called Colmenar Viejo. 

Since the Royal Mint is a public corporation managed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Business, it’s understandable why the cast and crew can’t film inside. There are some essential documents in the building, so it’s safe to assume the officials want to keep the information secure and private.

The cast and crew film the exterior scenes in front of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). The building is used to emulate the Royal Mint’s external structure in the series. The original location has narrow streets, which would pose difficulty for shooting sets. Unauthorized personnel can’t simply walk inside, as the building is not considered a tourist site. Also, the state agency is used to develop research for scientific and technological advances. So, it makes sense that no one, not even the Money Heist crew, can film inside. 

Did the ‘Money Heist’ crew film in the Bank of Spain?

The Bank of Spain is the central bank of Spain. Established in Madrid by Charles III in 1782, the facility is used to stabilize the government finances through its state bonds. Often referred to as the “Chamber of Gold,” there is a vault that contains mostly gold reserves, ingots, and old coins. In the Netflix series, the gang orchestrated the Bank of Spain heist to save Rio (Miguel Herrán) from the authorities.

In season 3 and beyond, most of the scenes take place inside the Bank of Spain. So, fans might be surprised to know the Money Heist crew did not film in the actual building. To recreate the Bank of Spain, the staff built TV sets to replicate the Madrid Content City. At first, the team tried to film inside the building. But, their permit application were rejected for “security reasons.”

The show films in 300 locations in seven countries

Although the series takes place in Madrid, some scenes are filmed worldwide. The Netflix series films in multiple locations outside of Spain. Also, the shooting for the show has taken place in Denmark, Thailand, Italy, Panama, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. 

All five seasons of Money Heist are streaming now on Netflix.