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Drone Laws in Portugal

Summary of Drone Laws in Portugal

Hobbyist Drone Laws For Residents of Portugal

Drone Operations in Portugal are currently regulated.


  • Hobbyist drone flights are allowed in Portugal
  • Hobbyist Portugal drone pilot license is required
  • Hobbyist Drone registration is required in Portugal for hobbyists flying over 250g, or drone with a camera
  • Drone Remote ID is generally required in Portugal (except in some classes C0, C4 with no RID)
  • Drone Insurance is not required but recommended for hobbyists’ drone operations in Portugal

Read below for more details on Hobbyist Drone Laws in Portugal and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Commercial Drone Laws For Residents of Portugal

Drone Operations in Portugal are currently regulated.


  • Commercial drone flights are allowed in Portugal
  • Commercial Portugal drone pilot license is required
  • Commercial Drone registration is required in Portugal for commercial drone operators
  • Drone Remote ID is generally required in Portugal (except in some classes C0, C4 with no RID)
  • Drone Insurance is required for commercial drone operations in Portugal

Read below for more details on Commercial Drone Laws in Portugal and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Drone Regulations For Visitors To Portugal

Drone Operations in Portugal are currently regulated.


  • Foreign visitor drone flights are allowed in Portugal
  • Foreign visitor drone pilot license is required
  • Drone registration is required in Portugal for visitors/tourists (unless previously registered in EASA)
  • Drone Remote ID is generally required in Portugal (except in some classes C0, C4 with no RID)
  • Drone Insurance is not required but recommended for tourist drone operations in Portugal

Read below for more details on Drone Laws in Portugal for Visitors (Tourists) and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Drone Rules For Government Drone Operators in Portugal

Drone Operations in Portugal are currently regulated.


  • Government drone flights are allowed in Portugal
  • Government drone pilot license is required
  • Drone registration is required in Portugal for Government operations
  • Drone Remote ID is generally required in Portugal (except in some classes C0, C4 with no RID)
  • Drone Insurance is not required for Government drone operations in Portugal

Read below for more details on Drone Laws in Portugal for Government Drone Operations and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Portuguese Republic (Portugal)

Drone Regulator in Portugal: National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC)

EU Nations Drone Regulator and Regulations: European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)

For a full explanation of EASA regulations simplified, please read our explainer: The rules for drone flyers in the European Union (Europe Drone Laws Simplified)


UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Portugal

The Portuguese agency responsible for drone safety, ANAC, has provided several internet-accessible details on flying drones for fun or work. The highlights of Portugal Drone Rules are outlined below. For more details, go to the links above.

Flying and operating drones in Portugal are subject to European Union Regulation 2019/947. The National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) supervises and implements Drone Rules Portugal.

According to the level of risk involved, this new legal framework will introduce three categories of drone operations: Open, Specific, and Certified.

Are drones allowed in Portugal?

According to ANAC, drones are allowed in Portugal, subject to ANAC and EASA regulations. Read on for details.

Categories of Allowed Drone Flights in Portugal:

Drone flights in Portugal are allowed in three categories defined by the level of risk associated with drone flights or operations. Whether you are a resident of Portugal or a visitor, you must operate within the limitations and follow the rules and procedures of the category in which your drone operation qualifies:

Open Category

Given the low level of risk, neither prior authorization by the competent authority nor a declaration by the drone operator is required. The drone’s total takeoff mass must be less than 25kg, and it must be operated within a visual line of sight at a maximum altitude of 120m.

Specific Category

Considering the moderate level of risk involved, flights in this category require authorization before the operation. The permission is given considering the mitigation measures identified in an operational risk assessment, except in specific standard scenarios where an operator declaration is sufficient.

Certified Category

Given the inherent dangers, certification of the drone and a licensed remote pilot are required. If your drone can carry people, you fall under the Certified category!

The most common rules to know for flying a drone in Portugal:

The ‘open’ category is the main reference for most leisure drone and low-risk commercial activities in European countries.

Subcategories of Open Category Drones

The ‘open’ category is, in turn, subdivided into three sub-categories – A1, A2, A3 — which may be summarised as follows:

  • A1: fly over people but not over assemblies of people
  • A2: fly close to people
  • A3: fly far from people

Each subcategory comes with its own set of requirements. Therefore, in the ‘open’ category, it is important to identify the subcategory of operation your activities will fall under to determine which rules apply to you and the training the remote pilot needs to undertake.

If you comply with the relevant requirements of the subcategories (A1, A2, and A3), no operational authorization is required before starting a flight.

Conditions required to avoid authorization

The following conditions must be met:

  • The drone operator has to be registered.

EU residents: Please register in the EU member state of your main residence (or principal place of business), and contact the Aviation Authority in your member state for further details.

Non-EU residents: Please register in the EU member state where you intend to operate your drone first. If the first drone operation will take place in Portugal, please register as an operator here.

  • All operated drones need sufficient insurance coverage.

Each country might have a different limit. For example, in Portugal, you must ensure the coverage is at least 1m EUR, and your insurance is valid in Portugal.

  • The drone pilot needs proof of competency.

Depending on the subcategory of your drone operation (see table below), you need a certificate for A1/A3 and additionally A2.

  • The drone must always be in a visual line of sight (VLOS).
  • The drone is flown at no more than 120 meters above ground level.
  • The drone must not carry any dangerous goods or drop any material.

Open Category Since January 1, 2024

Starting from January 1, 2024, operations in the open category must be conducted either with a drone bearing a C0, C1, C2, C3, or C4 class identification label or privately built or even without a class identification label, but only if placed on the market before December 31, 2023.

The markings look like this:

C0 Drone Class LabelC1 Drone Class LabelC2 Drone Class LabelC3 Drone Class LabelC4 Drone Class Label
easa drone c0 marking easa drone c1 marking easa drone c2 marking easa drone c3 marking easa drone c4 marking

If you are in the market, buy a drone with your desired marking. Choose one with the markings for the operations you will conduct.

For your benefit, here is a list of the currently available drones with class identification labels:

ClassCompanyTypeModel NameModel Numbers

easa drone c0 marking
DJIMulti-rotorDJI Mini 2 SE
DJI Mini 3, Mini 3 Pro, Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo
MT2SD, MT2SDCE, MT3PDCE, MT3PD,
MT3M3VDB, MT4MFVD

easa drone c1 marking
DJIMulti-rotorAIR 3, DJI MAVIC 3 V2.0, Cine V2.0, ClassicEB3WBC , L2AA, L2PA, L2C
easa drone c2 marking AgEagleFixed-wingSENSEFLY eBeeSENSEFLY EBEE X, GEO,
AG, TAC PUBLIC SAFETY
easa drone c2 marking
DJIMulti-rotorM30 EU, M3OT EU, DJI MAVIC 3E EU, 3T EU, ЗМ EUM30 RTK EU, M30T RTK EU, M3E-EU, M3T-EU, M3M-EU
easa drone c3 marking Quantum-SystemsFixed-wingTrinity F90+R10
easa drone c3 marking DJI Multi-rotor Matrice 350 RTKM350 RTK

Open Category From January 1, 2024

You will be able to operate them as described in the table below.

Be aware that ‘privately built’ means that you built the drone for your own personal use, so it was not purchased; it does not refer to UASs assembled from sets of parts placed on the market as a single, ready-to-assemble kit.

After 1 January 2024, if you have purchased a drone before that date without a class identification label, you will still be able to fly it in subcategory A1 if it weighs up to 250g or in subcategory A3 if it weighs up to 25kg.

Drone CategoryOperation SubcategoryOperational RestrictionsDrone Operator RegistrationRemote Pilot CompetenceRemote Pilot Minimum Age
Privately Built and Drones bought before 1/1/24 (under 250 g)A1 (fly over people, but not assemblies) – can also fly in Subcategory A3May fly over uninvolved people (should be avoided when possible)

No flight over assemblies of people
Not required unless a camera or sensor is on board and the drone is not a toyNo Training requiredNo minimum age
C0 (under 250 gram)A1 (fly over people, but not assemblies) – can also fly in Subcategory A3No flight expected over uninvolved people (if it happens, overflight should be minimized)

No flight over assemblies of people

Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level
Not required unless a camera or sensor is on board and the drone is not a toyNo flight expected over uninvolved people (if it happens, overflight should be minimized)

No flight over assemblies of people

Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level
16 years (some states can lower it to 12, but this will only apply to that state). No minimum age if the drone is a toy
C1 (under 900 gram)A1 (fly over people, but not assemblies) – can also fly in Subcategory A3No flight expected over uninvolved people (if it happens, overflight should be minimised)

No flight over assemblies of people

Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level
Yes. Drone Registration is requiredRead the user manual carefully

Obtain a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory by:

Completing the online training 

Passing the online theoretical exam
16 years (some states can lower it to 12, but this will only apply to that state
C2 (under 4 kg)A2 (fly close to people) – can also fly in Subcategory A3Must not overfly uninvolved people

Maintain a horizontal distance of 30 m from uninvolved people (can be reduced to 5 m if the low-speed function is activated)

Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level
Yes. Drone Registration is requiredRead the user manual carefully

Obtain a ’Remote pilot certificate of competency’ for A2 ‘open’ subcategory by:

Having a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory 

Conducting and declare a practical self-training

Passing an additional theoretical exam at the NAA or proctored online
16 years (some states can lower it to 12, but this will only apply to that state)
C3 (under 25 kg)A3 (fly far from people)Must not overfly uninvolved people

Maintain a horizontal distance of 150 m from uninvolved people and urban areas

Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level.
Yes. Drone Registration is requiredRead the user manual carefully

Obtain a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for the A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory by:

Completing the online training 

Passing the online theoretical exam
16 years (some states can lower it to 12, but this will only apply to that state)
C4 (under 25 kg)A3 (fly far from people)Must not overfly uninvolved people

Maintain a horizontal distance of 150 m from uninvolved people and urban areas.

Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level.
Yes. Drone Registration is requiredRead the user manual carefully

Obtain a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for the A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory by:

Completing the online training 

Passing the online theoretical exam
16 years (some states can lower it to 12, but this will only apply to that state)
Privately Built and Drones bought before 1/1/24 (under 25 kg)A3 (fly far from people)Must not overfly uninvolved people

Maintain a horizontal distance of 150 m from uninvolved people and urban areas.

Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level.
Yes. Drone Registration is requiredRead the user manual carefully

Obtain a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for the A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory by:

Completing the online training 

Passing the online theoretical exam
16 years (some states can lower it to 12, but this will only apply to that state)
Table of EASA Open Category Classification and Operational Requirements in place from January 1, 2024

From 1 January 2024, all drones operating in the specific category and all drones with class marks operating in the open category will be required to operate with an active and up-to-date remote identification system.

Drones with class identification label C1, C2, C3, C5 and C6 are already equipped with a remote identification system.

For details on the EASA Category as of January 2024, please see the Open Category Explainer.

Registration

According to European Regulation (EU) 2019/947, registration is mandatory for UAS operators (not for UAS themselves).

The UAS Pilot, also known as the Remote Pilot (RP), is the person physically behind the UAS flight controls. They are fully responsible for the safety of the flight throughout operations.

The UAS Operator is the person or company who oversees operations and gives flight instructions. This person or legal entity bears all responsibility for the operations of the drone (s) on their behalf. Very often, in the OPEN category and as individuals, the Pilot and the Operator are the same person.

How to register as a drone pilot or operator in Portugal?

The operator registration procedure is available at the ANAC Online Drone Registration link.

This UAS operator registration number is valid for one year and must be renewed periodically following the same procedure. Therefore, the operator always uses the same number unless the latter is permanently deregistered from the register.

Who should register?

As part of the OPEN category, registration is compulsory for operators:

  • UAS that have a mass of 250 g or more; 
  • UAS that have a mass of less than 250 g but:
    • can operate at speeds greater than 90km / h 
    • are equipped with a camera or a microphone, if these UAS are NOT toys * 

* A UAS is a toy when a manufacturer intends it for children under the age of 14 and meets the minimum safety criteria required to be so named. Compliance with these standards naturally limits the capabilities of the UAS (size, weight, non-dangerous spare parts, no powerful motor, etc.): see Directive 2009/48 / EC of 18 June 2009 on the safety of toys

Under the SPECIFIC category, registration is compulsory for all operators.

Natural persons can only register in the country where they reside.

Legal persons must register in the country where their principal place of business is located.

Registration can only be done in one Member State at a time.

Drone Insurance Portugal – Compulsory for Commercial

Attention: For the operation of a drone in Portugal, insurance is recommended for hobbyists but required for commercial drone operations. Your insurance coverage must be at least 1m EUR.

Note for foreign drone operators visiting Portugal

Whether you are a resident of Portugal or a visitor, you must operate within the limitations and follow the rules and procedures of the category in which your drone operation qualifies above.

EU Resident Visitors (Countries following EASA regulations)

  • If you are previously registered or have a remote pilot certificate in your home country or another EASA member state, then your registration and RPC are valid in Portugal. Follow the operational rules for your category of drone flight.
  • If you have not been registered or have a remote pilot certificate previously, you will need to do so in your home country or Portugal before conducting flights (depending on the category of drone flight you wish to undertake).

Operator Registration (Non-EU Residents)

  • If you are coming from a non-EU country and this is the first time you will fly your drone in an EU country, you MUST register as an Operator.
  • Upon registration, you will receive a unique Operator Registration number, which you MUST attach to your drone. If you have several drones, the same number must be attached to them.
  • You are not allowed to fly in NO FLY ZONES, and you must keep a minimum of 8km distance from airports/heliports.
  • If you have already conducted operations in another EU country before going to Portugal, you must not register again. You always register to the first non-EU country you have conducted flights.

Remote Pilot Certificate (Non-EU Residents)

  • If you want to fly your drone in Portugal and live in a non-EU country, you must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate from an EU country.
  • You can get the A1/A3 Certificate by registering with the online Remote Pilot School.
  • The online training and exam are required for those who want to fly a drone in the ‘Open’ category in subcategories A1/A3.
  • The pass mark is 75%, and you have three tries to pass.
  • Once you pass your exam, you will receive your remote pilot certificate. Its validity will be five years.
  • You must have your Remote Pilot Certificate when you plan to perform drone operations in Portugal and present it when the authorities ask.

Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Portugal

The most common drone flights you will undertake will most likely be covered by the Open Category described above.

For more details on the Open Category, please see our Open Category Explainer.

If your flights cannot be operated within the limitations of the Open Category, you may need to follow the Specific Category or Certified Category Rules.

For more details on the Specific Category, please see our Specific Category Explainer.

The Certified Category is complicated and aimed at the most sophisticated drone operators. We recommend you start at this EASA page.


Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Portugal

The most common drone flights you will undertake will most likely be covered by the Open Category described above.

For more details on the Open Category, please see our Open Category Explainer.

If your flights cannot be operated within the limitations of the Open Category, you may need to follow the Specific Category or Certified Category Rules.

For more details on the Specific Category, please see our Specific Category Explainer.

The Certified Category is complicated and aimed at the most sophisticated drone operators. We recommend you start at this EASA page.


What you must know about Portugal No Fly Zones or No Drone Zones

You need to know if you can operate your drone. Under what limitations? Will you need flight authorizations? And, if so, how do you get those authorizations?

We encourage you to read our explainer. It provides more details here: Explainer – What You Must Know About No Fly Zones or No Drone Zones

We provide links to where you can fly a drone below (Portugal Drone Map).

Useful published information on flying drones in Portugal

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


Authoritative Sources of Information on Portugal Drone Laws

We will attempt to keep an updated list of online authoritative links to regulators and other official websites here:



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.


Find out why

We think you must use a Drone Preflight Checklist

And a Drone Post-flight checklist

Free Drone Flight Checklist PDF

This Drone Flight Checklist is better than others.

It’s free!

It includes both the preflight checklist and post-flight checklist

It’s an easy-to-use printable PDF that covers all your bases.


Traveling with a Drone?

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



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18 responses to “Drone Laws in Portugal”

  1. Syd

    Hello,
    I am quite confused here. I have read a great deal about the rules and regs (seem pretty normal) for flying a drone (DJI AIR2S) in Madeira. I emailed the Portuguese coast guard, because I read you have to get permission to fly on the coast. How true this? These are the flights I am most interested in as they will have the views I want to capture. I am a UK resident and my drone was first registered in Iceland in 2021. If anyone can shed some light on what I need to do – that would be very helpful. I do not have a certification. I am just a leisure/personal use drone user.

    Thank you!

    1. Editorial Team

      Syd, Iceland is an EASA regulated area, as is Portugal, so that registration is valid for 5 years. You must check if the area you wish to fly is restricted or a no-fly zone (see links above) and get the appropriate permission.

  2. Peter Zwicker

    I too am struggling to get registered as an operator. I dont have a Portuguese citizenship card and can’t get digital authorization. I ended up applying as a surveyor in error.

    Thanks

    Peter

  3. Richard Smallman

    Are crop spraying drones registered and operated by certified usb pilots EU resident allowed yet in Portugal? Switzerland recently approved, what of Portugal. I’m talking big drones, 45kg plus

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      The EASA framework, followed by Portugal allows for evaluating and approving commercial drone operations. Check with the local regulator.

  4. P Barnett

    We rented a private villa in Albufeira & had a drone hovering near our pool while my wife was in it also next day firemen came to retrieve it from a tree over the road, seems it belonged to someone a few streets away. Very annoying.

  5. Ed T

    The ANAC drone registration site doesn’t seem to work for me. I am not an EU citizen, so I selected “Operator” “Natural Citizen” and “Third Country Operator” in the pulldown menus but when I click “Continue with Authenticacao” it just sends me back to the same page. I tried to click the link to obtain a digital authentication key, but that is even more confusing. Do you have any advice on how to navigate this?

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      Ed, were you able to register at least for an account? Try using another selection than “natural citizen”.
      Perhaps one of our users who has registered will give you advise.

      1. Ed T

        Hi Merlin. Yes I was able to register for an account. I tried to register as an operator once I made an account, and that’s where I am stuck. I also tried registering as a “legal person” but if I select “Third Country Operator” rather than “EU Member State” or “Portugal” under “Country of Origin” it simply refreshes the page. I emailed twice in the last two weeks through this portal, but I have not received any message in return: https://www.anac.pt/vPT/Footer/Paginas/Contactenos.aspx

        1. Mihali Moore

          I am also having the same problem. Can not register as an operator.
          Any luck!?!?!!!

          1. Marco

            Just register in Ireland. These are valid throughout the EU.

    2. Donald Dorsey

      Did you ever figure out how to register as an operator? I’m having the exact same challenge you describe

      1. RB

        Any luck registering as an operator, Donald?

    3. RB

      Ever get a solution to this, Ed?

  6. Tom P

    How about taking pictures? I am confused, it looks like flying drone is permitted, but to take pictures you need additional permit? Why would you fly a drone, if you cannot take pictures?

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      Tom, we are not sure where you discovered pictures were not allowed. Most recreational flyers are allowed to take pictures or videos in the open category, but the operator must be registered.

      1. Fagzal

        The information here is misleading.

        You have to have a permit to take photographs/videos from drones in Portugal. And the request have to be made many days(!) before you actually fly.
        Here is the info on the AAN site:

        https://www.aan.pt/subPagina-AAN-001.005.005-unmanned-aircraft-drones

        1. Merlin at Drone Laws

          We have added a clarification above. Thank you for the feedback

Leave a Comment

18 thoughts on “Drone Laws in Portugal”

  1. Hello,
    I am quite confused here. I have read a great deal about the rules and regs (seem pretty normal) for flying a drone (DJI AIR2S) in Madeira. I emailed the Portuguese coast guard, because I read you have to get permission to fly on the coast. How true this? These are the flights I am most interested in as they will have the views I want to capture. I am a UK resident and my drone was first registered in Iceland in 2021. If anyone can shed some light on what I need to do – that would be very helpful. I do not have a certification. I am just a leisure/personal use drone user.

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Syd, Iceland is an EASA regulated area, as is Portugal, so that registration is valid for 5 years. You must check if the area you wish to fly is restricted or a no-fly zone (see links above) and get the appropriate permission.

      Reply
  2. I too am struggling to get registered as an operator. I dont have a Portuguese citizenship card and can’t get digital authorization. I ended up applying as a surveyor in error.

    Thanks

    Peter

    Reply
  3. Are crop spraying drones registered and operated by certified usb pilots EU resident allowed yet in Portugal? Switzerland recently approved, what of Portugal. I’m talking big drones, 45kg plus

    Reply
    • The EASA framework, followed by Portugal allows for evaluating and approving commercial drone operations. Check with the local regulator.

      Reply
  4. We rented a private villa in Albufeira & had a drone hovering near our pool while my wife was in it also next day firemen came to retrieve it from a tree over the road, seems it belonged to someone a few streets away. Very annoying.

    Reply
  5. The ANAC drone registration site doesn’t seem to work for me. I am not an EU citizen, so I selected “Operator” “Natural Citizen” and “Third Country Operator” in the pulldown menus but when I click “Continue with Authenticacao” it just sends me back to the same page. I tried to click the link to obtain a digital authentication key, but that is even more confusing. Do you have any advice on how to navigate this?

    Reply
  6. How about taking pictures? I am confused, it looks like flying drone is permitted, but to take pictures you need additional permit? Why would you fly a drone, if you cannot take pictures?

    Reply

Leave a Comment