Drone Laws in Macau

Summary of Drone Laws in Macau

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (Macau)

Drone Regulator in Macau: Macau Civil Aviation Authority (AACM)

Link to AACM Drone Section: Macau Drone Regulations

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UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Macau

The Macau agency responsible for drone safety, AACM, has provided several internet-accessible details on flying a drone for fun or for work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details go to the link above.

Are drones allowed in Macau?

According to AACM, drone use is allowed in Macau, subject to strict AACM regulations. Read on for more details.

Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Macau

Category	CAT 1 Total mass ≤ 250 grams	CAT 2 Total mass > 250 grams to ≤ 7 kg	CAT 3 Total mass >7 kg to ≤ 25 kg
Registration, labeling, and notification requirements
Labeling	X	✓	✓
Unmanned aircraft registration	X(Remark 1)	✓	✓
Unmanned aircraft pilot registration	X(Remark 1)	✓	✓
Notification before the flight (Remark 2)	X(Remark 1)	✓	✓
Operating conditions
Restrictions on unmanned aircraft  operations	✓(Remark 1)	✓(Remark 1)	Subject to the requirements of the activity permit
Minimum operating age	Not applicable	14 years of age (Remark 5)	18 years of age (Remark 6)
Permits granted by the Civil Aviation Authority
Activity permit (Remark 3)	X(Remark 1)	X(Remark 1)	✓
Operator permit(Remark 4)	X	X	✓
Insurance
Third-party insurance	X	X	with minimum coverage of  $10,000,000 (ten million patacas)

Remark 1:   CAT 1 / CAT 2 operations that exceed the conditions established in paragraph 184 of the Air Navigation Regulation of Macao must be approved by the Civil Aviation Authority in advance and notified before the flight.
Remark 2:  Submit notification before flight through the “Online Application for drone operation permit” electronic platform, https://uav.aacm.gov.mo.
Remark 3:  Submit an activity application through the “Online Application for drone operation permit” electronic platform, https://uav.aacm.gov.mo.
Remark 4: Fill out the “Initial Application for Unmanned Aircraft (UA) Operator Permit” form and submit it to the Civil Aviation Authority (Only applicable for the operation of unmanned aircraft having a total mass exceeding 7 kg but not exceeding 25 kg).
Remark 5:  The person is at least 14 years of age or the minimum operating age defined by the manufacturer of the unmanned aircraft, whichever is higher; or if the person is under 14 years of age or the minimum operating age defined by the manufacturer, whichever is higher, the operation of the unmanned aircraft is conducted under the direct supervision of a person who is at least 18 years of age and who can operate the unmanned aircraft.
Remark 6:   The person is at least 18 years of age. The Civil Aviation Authority is satisfied that the person is fit and qualified to operate the unmanned aircraft type and model corresponding to that aircraft and for the purpose specified in the UA operator permit.

If you comply with the following guidelines, you can fly your drone in Macao without a permit.

• The UAVs weigh 7kg or less.
• The UAV flies no higher than 30m above the ground surface
• Flying takes place in the daytime
• The UAV does not carry dangerous substances or tow/discharge any objects
• The operator is on-site, within 100m of the UAV, and keeps visual line of sight operation (VLSO) and direct control over it
• UAV does not fly within 100m of a gathering of 100 persons or more
• UAV does not pass within 1000m of any airport/landing location nor the aircraft flight path area
• The UAV does not fly within 50m of protected buildings

Whether authorization is required or not, the UAV must be labeled with the owner’s phone number and name in Chinese, Portuguese, or English

If you want to deviate from any of the above, you must request authorization from the AACM.

How can you apply for authorization to fly a drone in Macau?

Residents, tourists, or organizations can apply the following two methods:

Method 1: Register an account, log in, and submit the application through the “Online application for unmanned aircraft activities” link https://uav.aacm.gov.mo.

Personal Account User Manual
Organization Account User Manual

Method 2: Download and fill in the “Application Form for Unmanned Aircraft Activities” (Application / Reporting Session), and submit it to the Civil Aviation Authority by mail, fax, email, or in person.

Applicants should submit detailed information no less than ten working days in advance. No fee is charged. The evaluation and approval process takes no more than ten working days.

Penalties

Anyone who violates the existing rules must expect penalties of up to 23.200 euros (20,000 MOP).

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Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Macau

Follow the general rules listed above, but check for updates by visiting the regulator’s links provided.

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Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Macau

Follow the general rules listed above, but check for updates by visiting the regulator’s links provided.

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Useful published information on flying drones in Macau

This is a quick video explaining the rules of drone flights in Macau, provided by AACM

Here is a sample of what you might expect if you follow the drone laws and fly in Macau…

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NOTE: This page is about the Regulation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), Small UAS, Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and drone are interchangeable terms unless specified. Model Aircraft, toy, remote-controlled, and RC aircraft may be covered by the same regulations unless specified.

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Traveling with a Drone?

Click here to read our Comprehensive Guide For Traveling With A Drone.

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