You are an avid drone flier and you have booked a trip to Spain. Can you bring your drone along? Are you allowed to fly your drone in Spain? What about any insurance requirements and permits? What are the drone regulations in Spain? Do you know?
Lot’s of questions. No answers?
DroneDJ is here to help. Even though we do not guarantee the accuracy and correctness of the information we do try to provide you with the best possible information we have been able to bring together for you. If you want to be absolutely sure that you are not breaking any laws in the country that you are visiting, contact the local Aviation Administration or check with local law enforcement agencies.
What are the drone regulations in Spain?
Permit requirements: not for hobbyists, commercial pilots do require a permit
Maximum flight altitude: 120 meters or 400 feet
Maximum flight distance allowed: line-of-sight only, you have to be able to see the drone
Insurance requirements: only required for commercial drone pilots
Weight restrictions: up to 25 kg (55 Lbs) (MTOW = Maximum take-off mass) for commercial pilots
Airport restrictions: commercial drone pilots need to stay 8 kilometers (5 miles) away from airports and airfields and 15 km (9.4 miles) away for approved beyond-line-of-sight drone flights.
Other restrictions: keep a 150m distance from buildings and 50m from other people not involved in the drone flying operation. You cannot fly your drone where other low-altitude flight activities take place, such as paragliding, heliports, etc.
No-fly zones: It is not allowed to fly over crowds of people, gatherings, buildings, controlled airspace. Some parks or nature reserves may be off limits as well.
Permit required: flying your drone in national parks requires a permit
Hours of operation: drone flying is allowed during daytime only
Commercial pilots: a permit is required for commercial drone operations. According to this website commercial drone pilot licenses require training (60 hours) and are expensive 350-1,600 EUR.
Minimum age: 18 years
Fines and penalties: up to 225.000 EUR
Other information: In general use common sense and stay away from people
Sources: Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aerea (Spanish Air Safety Agency), General Directorate of Civil Aviation, AENA – Spanish Airports and Air Navigation, EASA – European Aviation Safety Agency, IcarusRPA (drone map)
If you have useful information on flying drones in Spain, let us know in the comments below.
Last updated: December 6th, 2017
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