Drone Laws in Indonesia: Registration, Bali Rules, and No-Fly Zones (2026)

Indonesia stands out from other Southeast Asian countries because of Bali's cultural protection layer. While Thailand and the Philippines focus mainly on aviation safety, Indonesia has added village-level governance over drone flights near sacred sites. The banjar system means that even if you comply with every DGCA rule, local village councils can still stop you from flying near temples.

Indonesia's drone rules are governed primarily by PM 37/2020, issued by the Ministry of Transportation. The Aviation Act (Law No. 1 of 2009) provides the criminal penalties. Together, these two statutes cover registration, airspace restrictions, and penalties for violations.

SIPP-TA registration system

The SIPP-TA (Sistem Informasi Pesawat Udara Tanpa Awak) is Indonesia's online drone registration portal. You submit your drone's serial number, weight, and specifications along with your passport information. The registration is valid for 3 years. Processing typically takes 3-5 business days, so apply well before your trip.

Drones under 250g were previously exempt from registration in most of Indonesia. As of January 2025, Bali no longer honors this exemption under DGCA directive 008/2025. Other provinces still follow the 250g threshold.

Commercial operations

Commercial operators need an Indonesian Remote Pilot Certificate issued by the DGCA, plus operational authorization for the specific type of work. Liability insurance is mandatory for all commercial drone flights. Foreign commercial operators must partner with an Indonesian company or obtain a special permit from the DGCA.

For more on drone licensing costs worldwide, see our licensing guide. For general airspace rules, check our drone no-fly zones guide.

Indonesia has two features that set it apart from every other country in Southeast Asia: the banjar temple protection system in Bali, and some of the highest maximum penalties in the region.

Bali's banjar consent system

Perda Bali No. 12/2024 introduced a 5 km exclusion zone around sacred sites in Bali. Within this zone, you must obtain written consent from the local banjar (village council) before flying. The banjar is a traditional Balinese governance unit that predates modern Indonesian law. Each banjar controls the area around its temples and ceremonial grounds.

This means a flight that's perfectly legal in Jakarta or Yogyakarta could get you detained in Bali. Several major temples, including Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, and Tirta Empul, have deployed RF detection equipment to identify unauthorized drone flights. The pecalang (traditional village security) have the authority to confiscate your drone and detain you until police arrive.

Enforcement cases

Indonesia enforces drone violations more strictly than most Southeast Asian countries. Three notable cases illustrate the range of enforcement:

• Yogyakarta military zone (2023): Two tourists were arrested after flying a drone over a military installation near Yogyakarta. Both were deported and their equipment was confiscated. No fine was imposed because the case was handled through immigration channels rather than criminal prosecution.
• Mandalika MotoGP (2022): Indonesian authorities grounded 21 unauthorized drones during the MotoGP weekend at the Mandalika circuit in Lombok. Organizers had issued a blanket drone ban within 5 km of the track, enforced by military personnel.
• Bali rice terrace (2025): A tourist flying a sub-250g drone over Tegallalang rice terraces was detained by pecalang under the new Perda Bali No. 12/2024. The drone was confiscated despite being under the national 250g registration threshold because Bali's cultural protection law applies regardless of drone weight.

Night flying ban

Unlike many countries that allow night flying with anti-collision lights, Indonesia prohibits all drone flights after dark. There are no exceptions for recreational or commercial operators. This applies nationwide, including in areas without any other restrictions.

For more on privacy considerations when flying drones, see our drone spying laws guide. For night flying rules in other countries, check our night flying guide.

Indonesia's geography creates a patchwork of restricted and open airspace. The 15 km airport exclusion zone is larger than most countries, and in Bali, the Ngurah Rai airport zone covers nearly every major tourist beach.

Jakarta restrictions

Jakarta has two major airports creating overlapping 15 km exclusion zones: Soekarno-Hatta International to the west and Halim Perdanakusuma to the east. The Istana Merdeka (Presidential Palace) adds a 500m no-camera-drone buffer in the city center. In practice, legal drone flying within central Jakarta is nearly impossible.

Bali's overlapping zones

The Ngurah Rai International Airport's 15 km zone covers most of southern Bali, including Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, Sanur, Jimbaran, and Nusa Dua. Layer on the 5 km sacred site zones from Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, Besakih, and dozens of smaller temples, and the flyable areas in Bali shrink dramatically. North Bali (Lovina, Amed) and the interior highlands above Kintamani offer the best options for legal flights.

For more on flying restrictions in different locations, see our guide on where you can fly a drone.

Indonesia does not prohibit drone imports for personal use. You can bring one drone through customs without a special import permit. There are several steps to follow to avoid problems at the airport and during your trip.

Customs and import

Declare your drone at customs on arrival. Drones valued over $1,500 USD may trigger import duties. Keep your purchase receipt and drone serial number accessible. Undeclared drones that are later discovered can be confiscated, though enforcement varies by airport and customs officer.

Bali pre-registration (mandatory since January 2025)

If you're flying to Bali, register your drone through the SIPP-TA system before departure. The 72-hour grace period that previously allowed tourists to fly first and register later was revoked by DGCA directive 008/2025. You need your passport number, drone serial number, and flight dates. Processing takes 3-5 business days, so submit your application at least a week before travel.

What to bring

• SIPP-TA registration confirmation (printed or digital)
• Drone serial number documentation
• Purchase receipt (for customs, especially if value exceeds $1,500)
• Passport copy matching your registration
• Travel insurance that covers drone equipment (most standard policies exclude it)

Flying recreationally as a tourist

Tourists flying drones under 2 kg recreationally do not need an Indonesian pilot license. The standard rules still apply: stay below 150 meters, maintain visual line of sight, avoid airports by 15 km, and do not fly at night. In Bali, add the banjar consent and sacred site rules on top.

For more on flying over private property in different countries, see our private property drone rules guide.