Regulation
Minimum age to get a tattoo in Valencia
The rule that governs in the city of Valencia is not the national one: it is regional. And it says something that surprises a lot of people.
The applicable rule
Decree 83/2002 of 23 May (Valencian Government) regulates tattooing, micropigmentation, piercing and similar techniques across the whole Valencian Community. It is the text a Valencia studio has to comply with.
What it says about minors
Its article 18 states that these practices may be performed on minors provided they request it themselves and their legal guardian gives written consent.
Put plainly: the Valencian rule sets no numerical minimum age. What it requires is two things at once — that the minor asks for it, and that there is written authorization from a parent or legal guardian. It falls to the legal guardian to judge whether the minor has sufficient maturity and judgement.
What happens in practice
The law permitting it with authorization does not mean a studio will do it. Many Valencia studios apply a policy of their own and will not tattoo anyone under 18 under any circumstances, out of legal caution and out of responsibility. Others will only from a certain age, with the guardian present and with documentation. Call before you make the trip: it saves you the journey.
What to bring if you are a minor and the studio accepts it
- The minor's national ID or passport.
- The parent's or legal guardian's national ID.
- The family book (libro de familia) or a document proving legal guardianship.
- Signed written authorization. Many studios have their own form.
And piercing
That same article 18 covers piercing, scarification and similar techniques, with the identical requirement of a request from the minor plus written consent from the legal guardian.
This page summarizes the regulation for information purposes and does not replace the official text or legal advice. See Decree 83/2002 as published in the DOGV (the Valencian official gazette) for the full wording.