Frequently asked questions
What is Sandbox Madrid?
Sandbox Madrid is Madrid City Council's controlled testing environment designed to enable companies, research centers, and startups to test innovative solutions in real-world conditions. It offers technical support, administrative coordination, and access to public or municipal spaces, always guaranteeing legal certainty and the protection of citizens.
What advantages does it offer?
It offers administrative simplification through a single point of contact, technical support throughout the process, access to public spaces or municipal infrastructure, institutional visibility, and the possibility of validating the usefulness and scalability of the solution in a real urban environment.
What regulation governs Sandbox Madrid?
Sandbox Madrid is regulated by Ordinance 1/2025, dated January 28, which establishes the legal framework, access procedure, evaluation criteria, and obligations of participating entities. It is also supplemented by decrees that create and regulate the Evaluation Committee.
What regulations apply in addition to this ordinance (e.g., regarding data or security)?
The European, national, and regional regulations in force in each area (safety, environment, data protection, etc.) apply.
Is future modification of the ordinance anticipated based on the results of the Sandbox?
Yes, expressly. The City Council may adapt and improve the regulations based on the results and conclusions obtained in the tests.
Which projects are eligible?
Innovative projects that are sufficiently mature, aligned with the verticals of the call for proposals, and technically feasible.
Who can request access to the Sandbox?
Public sector entities, as well as individuals or legal entities from the private sector who wish to participate in the call for proposals and contribute to the technological and innovative development of the city, may apply.
Can foreign companies participate?
Yes, provided that they meet the established requirements and can prove legal representation or the necessary means to operate in Spain in accordance with the call for applications.
What are the minimum requirements for projects?
Projects must be innovative, sufficiently mature technically to operate in a real environment, have the necessary authorizations, and demonstrate a positive impact on the city.
What are the minimum requirements for promoters?
Promoters must demonstrate sufficient technical and financial resources, provide the required safety guarantees, and be up to date with their tax and Social Security obligations.
Do the current calls for proposals prioritize certain verticals?
The call for proposals aimed at private sector entities refers exclusively to the following verticals:
- Sustainability.
- Circular economy.
- Energy.
The call for proposals aimed at public sector entities is open to all verticals:
- Sustainability.
- Economy.
- Energy.
- Safety and emergencies.
- Sustainable mobility.
- Accessibility.
- Tourism.
- Street furniture and elements of public roads and spaces.
- Any other area relating to municipal public services under the jurisdiction of Madrid City Council.
What is the purpose of the calls for proposals?
The calls for proposals regulate the selection process for projects that will be admitted to the Sandbox.
Are there any open calls?
- Call for proposals aimed at public sector entities: open from October 2025.
- Call for proposals aimed at private sector entities: open from January 2026.
What is the application process?
1. Start: Submission of the application, review, and correction of any formal defects, if necessary.
2. Investigation. Project evaluation: By the Evaluation Committee and, where applicable, request for relevant reports from the competent bodies depending on the subject matter of the project.
3rd Resolution: Once the Evaluation Committee has formulated its proposal, the procedure will be resolved by the authorizing body, the head of the General Directorate for Innovation.
What documentation do I need to submit?
The applicant's accreditation, the official form, a project report, the safety and accessibility study, the relevant administrative authorizations, and the certificates required by the call for proposals must be submitted.
What is the deadline for submitting applications?
- Call for proposals aimed at public sector entities: the deadline is ongoing and remains open until modified or revoked.
- Call for proposals aimed at private sector entities: the deadline will begin on January 20, 2026, and will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on March 2, 2026.
What is the deadline for resolving applications?
- Call for applications aimed at public sector entities: 6 months from the date of application for the test.
- Call for proposals aimed at private sector entities: 6 months from the date of publication of the call.
Can applications be corrected?
If defects are detected in them, a period of 10 business days will be granted for their correction.
How do I submit the application?
The application must be formalized using the official form available on the Madrid City Council website (https://sede.madrid.es) and submitted electronically using an accepted identification certificate.
If submitted by means other than the website, an email must be sent to sandbox@madrid.es
indicating the date and time of submission.
Foreign entities that are unable to use the electronic systems provided may submit their application through a legal representative or an authorized person in Spain, providing documentation proving their representation and, where applicable, the authorization annex available on the electronic headquarters.
Questions during the presentation
What is the evaluation like?
The management unit analyzes the application, the Evaluation Committee issues a reasoned proposal, and the competent body issues the final decision.
How are the proposals submitted evaluated?
The Evaluation Committee will assess the projects and evaluate the expected impact of the proposal. The criteria applied will be as follows:
- Degree of innovation of the project
- Technical quality of the project
- Technological maturity
- Feasibility of testing and technical requirements
- Cost
- Impact on the city and public interest
- Tractor effect
What happens after authorization?
The start date, phases, and scope of the tests are determined, as well as the public spaces to be used and the guarantees required. In addition, the monitors responsible for monitoring are designated.
Once access authorization has been granted, when should testing begin?
The tests must begin within three months of notification of authorization of access, unless other deadlines or dates are specified in the notification.
How long do the tests last?
The maximum duration is one year, with the possibility of extending it for up to six additional months for justified reasons.
Where can the tests be performed?
In physical and virtual spaces in the city of Madrid, with priority given to the Villaverde district. Requests for locations other than this one must be justified.
Is there a list of public spaces and roads for testing?
Is there a list of green areas for testing?
How can citizens participate in project testing?
By expressly accepting, preferably electronically, an information document detailing the conditions, risks, and rights of participation.
What rights do participants have within the controlled environment?
To receive clear information, to have your personal data protected, to withdraw at any time, and for the promoter to respond to any damage or incident.
What happens if I use infrastructure in testing?
The promoter must guarantee that the infrastructure will be restored to its original condition once the tests have been completed and provide the necessary financial guarantees.
Who supervises the tests?
Supervision is carried out by monitors appointed by the Evaluation Committee, who verify compliance with the authorized conditions.
What happens at the end?
The promoter must submit a final report within one month, and the managing body prepares an annual evaluation report on all the tests carried out in the Sandbox.
Who is liable for the damages?
The developer is solely liable for damages.
What insurance do I need?
It is mandatory to have civil liability insurance and any additional guarantees determined by the authorization.
Who is responsible for covering the costs of the tests?
Each promoter is responsible for financing their projects and must have the necessary resources for testing. Projects may be financed by external sources (e.g., national or European calls for proposals).
Does access to the Sandbox come with any kind of financial assistance?
No. Access to the Sandbox does not imply the granting of any type of financial aid to developers and projects.
How much does it cost to participate?
Public sector entities are exempt.
All other promoters must pay the applicable taxes based on the space used for the events and their duration.
How is personal information protected?
Data processing is carried out in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and current Spanish legislation on data protection.
Will confidential project information be disclosed as a result of participating in the Sandbox?
No. The City Council and its staff will guarantee the confidentiality of any information to which they may have access and which the promoting entities expressly identify as confidential.
When can authorization be revoked?
Authorization may be revoked in the event of safety risks, significant breaches, or substantial deviations from the approved conditions.
Is there a penalty system or just revocation of authorization?
The ordinance does not establish financial penalties, but it does provide for the revocation of authorization and the inability to reapply for access for two years.
How do I contact Sandbox Madrid?
By email: sandbox@madrid.es