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Drone rules in Spain (2026): registration, zones, insurance

Verified against official sources on September 29, 2026

In short

Spain uses the EU drone rules, including visual line of sight and a usual open-category height limit of 120 m from the closest point of the ground. Camera drones commonly require operator registration, and an existing EASA-state registration is recognised. For urban flights, operators subject to registration must notify the Ministry of the Interior at least five calendar days ahead; this notice does not permit flights over assemblies of people. Check ENAIRE Drones, the conditions for your drone class, any required coordination and insurance before flying.

On this page

Who regulates drones

Drones in Spain are regulated by AESA, the Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea. The EU drone rules have applied since 31 December 2020, and the national Royal Decree 517/2024 has applied since 25 June 2024.1,10

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  • ENAIRE, Spain's aeronautical information service provider, runs the ENAIRE Drones app, which maps where drone flights are prohibited or limited. AESA answers drone questions through its drone mailbox, drones.aesa@seguridadaerea.es.9,3

Registration

In the open category, operator registration is required for a drone of at least 250 g or capable of transferring more than 80 J on impact. It is also required for a drone with a camera or other personal-data sensor, except a compliant toy. Every specific-category operation requires operator registration. Register in the applicable state of residence or first operation rather than duplicating an existing EASA-state registration.3,14

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  • Residents of Spain register with AESA on its electronic office (sede electrónica). Registration is free of charge, and you can be registered in only one EU member state at a time.3,4
  • Your operator registration number must be shown on every drone you operate, readable with the naked eye when the drone is on the ground. On small drones it may go in the battery compartment.5
  • Operator certificates issued after 25 June 2024 are valid for 3 years. You renew by submitting an amendment to your registration, which extends the expiry by another 3 years.3

Categories and weight classes

The open category does not require prior operational authorisation, but geographical zones can still require permission or coordination. It requires a drone under 25 kg, visual line of sight, a usual maximum height of 120 m from the closest point of the ground and no flights over assemblies of people.14,5

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  • In A1, C0 and eligible unlabelled or privately built drones under 250 g may overfly uninvolved people, although this should be avoided. C1 flights must not intentionally overfly them; minimise an unexpected overflight. Never overfly assemblies. A2 with C2 keeps 30 m from uninvolved people, reducible to 5 m with active low-speed mode and the required assessment. A3 stays 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas.14,6
  • Drones without a class label that were placed on the EU market before 1 January 2024 may still fly: under 250 g in subcategory A1, and under 25 kg in subcategory A3.5
  • Spain lowers the EU minimum pilot age of 16 in the open category: 12 for A1 with a C0 drone that is not a toy or a legacy drone under 250 g, and 14 for C1, C2, C3 and C4 drones and heavier legacy or home-built drones.5,10

Pilot competence

For C1 drones, for A3 flights and for unlabelled drones of 250 g or more, you need the A1/A3 certificate. AESA provides the online course and exam free of charge: 40 questions in 40 minutes, with a 75% pass mark, and the certificate is valid for 5 years.6

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  • The A2 certificate requires the A1/A3 exam, a declared self-training of practical skills, and an additional theory exam with AESA. AESA's remote pilot courses and exams are only available in Spanish.6,7
  • Pilot certificates issued by EASA member states are recognised in Spain. Controlled-airspace and FIZ flights have additional conditions, but the low-height VLOS exception in Article 42 must be distinguished from operations that require ATS coordination and the applicable communications competence.7,15,10

Where you can fly

Keep the drone within 120 m of the closest point of the ground and in visual line of sight, and stop the flight if it poses a risk to aircraft, people, animals, the environment or property.14

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  • For urban flights, operators subject to registration must notify the Ministry of the Interior at least five calendar days before the operation. The notice is separate from airspace permissions and never removes the open-category prohibition on flying over assemblies of people.10,11,9
  • Article 40 restricts overflight of buildings, homes and their patios or similar areas in urban operations. C1 drones of at least 250 g normally keep 5 m from these properties; C2 in A2 keeps 30 m, reducible to 5 m in active low-speed mode. The competent body, owner or responsible administrator can grant a prior exemption under Article 40(4); all other flight conditions still apply.10,9
  • Article 42 allows a controlled-airspace/FIZ exception only for VLOS flights at no more than 60 m outside the relevant aerodrome and heliport geographical zones. Otherwise ATS coordination is required. A height below 60 m alone does not establish permission, and other overlapping zones still apply.9,10

Geographical zones

Royal Decree 517/2024 sets general geographical zones that apply everywhere: urban environments, the surroundings of aerodromes and heliports, controlled airspace, prohibited and restricted areas, critical infrastructure and military or security areas.9,10

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  • Around public-use and military aerodromes, the zone extends 6 km beyond each runway end and 5 km to each side up to 45 m height, and wider above that. Flying there is prohibited unless coordinated with the aerodrome manager and, where one exists, the air traffic service provider.9
  • The ENAIRE Drones map shows prohibited and restricted airspace, danger areas, protected natural areas and zones restricted for aerial photography. Temporary zones and NOTAMs are published there too.12,9,8
  • Capturing images in a zone restricted for aerial photography (listed in AIP ENR 5.7) needs a prior request to the Air Force Cartographic and Photographic Centre (CECAF).9

Insurance

Under Article 8 of Royal Decree 517/2024, liability insurance is mandatory for drones under 20 kg flown in subcategory A2, in the specific category or in the certified category. A1 flights and A3 flights with drones under 20 kg are exempt.10,5

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  • Operators of drones of 20 kg or more must be insured under Regulation (EC) No 785/2004, with a minimum of 750,000 SDR for drones up to 500 kg. For lighter drones, Royal Decree 37/2001 sets a minimum of 220,000 SDR.5,10
  • The policy does not have to be permanent: cover for each flight or group of flights is enough, and a policy held by a club, federation or association also counts.10,5

Privacy and photos

According to the Spanish data protection agency (AEPD), drone operators who record images, video or other data about identifiable people are subject to the GDPR and Spain's Organic Law 3/2018, whether the flight is recreational or professional.13

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  • The AEPD advises not to publish footage captured for personal use on the internet where people can be identified or private spaces such as homes, gardens or terraces are shown. Blur people, vehicles or homes before sharing.13

Flying as a visitor

An operator registration from another EASA member state is valid in Spain. Display your operator number, hold the pilot competence required for your drone and subcategory, comply with local zones and obtain insurance when your operation requires it. Spain does not make insurance compulsory for every open-category flight.7,15,10

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  • Visitors from outside the EU must register with the first EU country where they intend to fly. If that is Spain, you register with AESA under the same rules as Spanish operators, using the e4F electronic identification for foreigners.7,3,16
  • Non-EU pilot qualifications do not automatically replace EU competence. Obtain the EU training and certificate required for your drone class and subcategory; C0 does not require an A1/A3 exam. AESA courses are in Spanish, and you may use recognised training from another EASA state.16,7
  • The Ministry of the Interior notice for urban flights also applies to visitors. If you are outside Spain, the Ministry says you can file it at Spanish embassies or consulates.11

Penalties

Breaches of the drone rules can be sanctioned under the civil aviation law (Ley 21/2003) or the public security law (Ley Orgánica 4/2015). This includes failing to give the Interior Ministry notice before an urban flight.10

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register a drone under 250 g in Spain?

Yes, if it has a camera or another sensor that can capture personal data and it is not a toy. Registration with AESA is free.3

Can I fly a drone in a Spanish city?

Only when all conditions are met. If you are subject to operator registration, notify Interior at least five calendar days ahead. Check the building-overflight and separation rules, any valid exemption, ENAIRE zones and required coordination. An Interior notice does not authorise flights over assemblies of people.10,11,9

Is drone insurance mandatory in Spain?

It depends on how you fly. It is mandatory in subcategory A2, in the specific category and for drones of 20 kg or more. A1 flights and A3 flights with drones under 20 kg are exempt.10,5

I am a tourist from the USA or the UK. What do I need to fly a drone in Spain?

Where registration is required, register in the first EASA state where you intend to fly, with AESA if that is Spain. Obtain EU pilot competence when your drone class and subcategory require it, then follow Spanish geographical-zone and notification rules. A foreign licence does not replace these steps.16,7

How high can I fly a drone in Spain?

The usual open-category limit is 120 m from the closest point of the ground. The Article 42 exception in controlled airspace/FIZ is limited to VLOS at no more than 60 m outside relevant aerodrome/heliport zones. Check all zone conditions; the height limit alone is not permission.14,9,10

Sources

Informational summary, not legal advice. The official sources below are binding.

  1. 1
    UAS/drones regulationsAgencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA) · accessed September 29, 2026
  2. 2
    UAS/DronesAgencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA) · accessed September 29, 2026
  3. 3
    Drone Operator Registration/UASAgencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA) · accessed September 29, 2026
  4. 4
    Registro de operadores de UASAgencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA), sede electrónica · accessed September 29, 2026
  5. 5
    Operations with UAS/Drones - Open category (subcategories A1, A2 and A3)Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA) · accessed September 29, 2026
Show all 16 sources
  1. 6
    Training of UAS/drones pilots in the 'open' categoryAgencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA) · accessed September 29, 2026
  2. 7
    How to fly a UAS in SpainAgencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA) · accessed September 29, 2026
  3. 8
    Geographical areas of UASAgencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA) · accessed September 29, 2026
  4. 9
    Guide to UAS flight requirements and limitations, depending on the place of operations (UAS Geographical Zones), UAS-OPR-P01-DT16 Ed.03Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA) · accessed September 29, 2026
  5. 10
    Real Decreto 517/2024, de 4 de junio, por el que se desarrolla el régimen jurídico para la utilización civil de sistemas de aeronaves no tripuladas (UAS)Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE) · accessed October 1, 2026
  6. 11
    Comunicación de operaciones de aeronaves pilotadas por control remoto (UAS) en entornos urbanos o sobre concentraciones de personasMinisterio del Interior · accessed September 29, 2026
  7. 12
    ENAIRE DronesENAIRE · accessed September 29, 2026
  8. 13
    Drones and Data ProtectionAgencia Española de Protección de Datos (AEPD) · accessed September 29, 2026
  9. 14
    Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on the rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft (consolidated text, 1 May 2025)Publications Office of the European Union (EUR-Lex) · accessed September 29, 2026
  10. 15
    Travelling with dronesEASA · accessed September 29, 2026
  11. 16
    I am a non-EU visitor and I want to fly a drone in EuropeEASA · accessed September 29, 2026

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