Drone Laws in Brazil: ANAC Registration, SARPAS Flights, and Tourist Rules (2026)

Brazil's drone regulations stand out because of the three-agency structure. Most countries have one aviation authority that handles everything. Brazil splits responsibility across ANAC, DECEA, and ANATEL, and you need to be compliant with all three simultaneously. A single flight without proper clearance can trigger fines from multiple agencies at once.

RBAC-E 94 is Brazil's primary drone regulation, issued by ANAC. It sets the baseline rules for all drone operations in the country. A new regulation, RBAC 100, is expected to replace it in 2026 with EU-style risk-based categories (Open, Specific, Certified). Until then, RBAC-E 94 remains the law.

The per-flight SARPAS NG authorization is what surprises most pilots coming from other countries. In many places, you register your drone once and then fly freely within the rules. In Brazil, you must submit each flight plan through DECEA's SARPAS portal and receive clearance before taking off. This applies to all flights in controlled airspace and is recommended even in uncontrolled areas.

For a general overview of airspace restrictions around the world, see our drone no-fly zones guide.

Brazil's drone regulatory environment is shaped by two forces: bureaucratic complexity and criminal drone use. The three-agency system creates more paperwork than almost any other country, and the high rate of drone-related crime (especially prison contraband delivery) has pushed authorities toward stricter enforcement.

The three-agency problem

In most countries, one or two agencies handle drones. In Brazil, three separate agencies must approve your operations:

• ANAC: Sets the rules, manages drone registration through SISANT, and issues the 9-digit ID number
• DECEA: Controls all Brazilian airspace and issues per-flight authorizations through SARPAS NG
• ANATEL: Requires radio frequency homologation (a seal proving your drone's transmitter meets Brazilian standards)

These agencies do not share systems or coordinate well. You could be fully registered with ANAC, have SARPAS clearance from DECEA, and still face a fine if your drone lacks the ANATEL seal. Each agency enforces independently.

ANATEL radio homologation

This is the rule that catches the most foreign pilots. ANATEL requires all wireless transmitting devices (including drones and their controllers) to carry a homologation seal. Most consumer drones sold outside Brazil do not have this seal. To get one, you must apply through the MOSAICO system, pay approximately $70, and wait up to 45 days for processing. For a two-week vacation, this is effectively impossible to complete in time.

Criminal drone use and enforcement context

Brazil has one of the highest rates of criminal drone use in the world, particularly for prison contraband delivery. In Rio Grande do Sul alone, 43 drones were confiscated in 2019 after being used to smuggle 4 kilograms of narcotics and 68 mobile phones into a single prison complex. This pattern repeats across the country, with hundreds of documented cases.

In mid-2024, the Third Pure Command (TCP) gang in Rio de Janeiro used a commercial drone to drop a grenade on members of a rival gang. By early 2025, the Lacoste gang was documented using drones to track the movements of 9th Military Police Battalion officers during operations.

This criminal context explains why Brazilian authorities enforce drone laws more aggressively than neighboring countries in South America. When police see an unregistered drone, their first concern is not recreational misuse. It is potential criminal activity.

Penal Code Article 261

Flying a drone in a way that endangers air transport safety falls under Article 261 of the Brazilian Penal Code. This is not an administrative fine. It is a criminal charge carrying 2 to 5 years of imprisonment. Article 132 (endangering life or health) can add additional custodial sentences. These criminal statutes are separate from any ANAC or ANATEL administrative penalties.

LGPD and drone privacy

Brazil's Lei Geral de Protecao de Dados (LGPD) applies to drone footage the same way it applies to any data collection. If your drone captures identifiable individuals and you use that footage for business purposes, you are collecting personal data under the LGPD. This means consent requirements, data handling obligations, and potential liability. For recreational footage shared on social media, enforcement is rare, but the legal framework exists.

For more on how privacy laws affect drone pilots globally, see our drone spying laws guide.

Brazil's airspace is managed by DECEA, and the SARPAS NG system controls all flight authorizations. Beyond airspace, national parks, prisons, and urban landmarks all have their own restrictions.

Rio de Janeiro flying challenges

Rio is particularly difficult for drone pilots. The city has multiple airports (Santos Dumont downtown, Galeao international), crowded beaches, dense urban areas, and iconic landmarks like Christ the Redeemer that attract drone operators. DECEA enforces controlled airspace strictly in Rio, and local filming permits may be required for commercial work on top of SARPAS authorization.

Sao Paulo airspace

Sao Paulo's Congonhas Airport (CGH) sits inside the city, creating large no-fly zones that cover major residential and commercial districts. Combined with Guarulhos international airport and several heliports (Sao Paulo has more helicopter traffic than almost any city on earth), finding legal airspace in Sao Paulo requires careful SARPAS planning.

For more on how cities manage drone airspace globally, see our where you can fly a drone guide.

Brazil is one of the more difficult countries to fly a drone in as a tourist. The CPF requirement and ANATEL homologation create real barriers that most other countries do not have. Here is what you actually need to do.

Drones under 250g: the easy path

If your drone weighs less than 250g (like the DJI Mini 4 Pro or DJI Flip), you do not need to register with ANAC. You still need to follow all flight rules (120m altitude, VLOS, 30m from people), but you skip the CPF requirement and the SISANT registration process. This is the simplest way to fly legally in Brazil as a tourist.

Drones over 250g: the CPF barrier

Registering a drone over 250g with ANAC's SISANT portal requires a CPF, Brazil's taxpayer identification number. Tourists have two options:

• Option A: Apply for a CPF at a Brazilian embassy or consulate before your trip. The process takes a few days and is free or low-cost.
• Option B: Have a Brazilian resident register the drone on your behalf through SISANT. They assume legal liability for the aircraft.

The ANATEL problem

Even with a CPF and ANAC registration, your drone likely lacks ANATEL radio homologation. The process costs approximately $70 and takes up to 45 days through the MOSAICO system. For a typical tourist visit, this timeline makes it impractical. In practice, enforcement of ANATEL compliance against individual tourists is uncommon, but the legal exposure exists.

Customs and airline rules

Brazilian customs allows one consumer drone per person for personal use with no special import declaration. LiPo batteries must be carried in your cabin baggage in a battery-safe bag. This applies to all airlines operating in Brazil. For general airline rules, see our guide to flying with drones on planes.

For more on international drone travel, check our where you can fly a drone guide and night flying rules that apply across countries.