All Drone Laws in Portugal in 2023 (Ultimate Guide)

Line of sight

All drones(commercial and recreational) should only be flown within the line of sight

No flying near airports

Move 2.5km away from the closest airport

Don't fly over crowds

Your drone flights should not disrupt other people or expose others to risk

Height limit of 120m

Do not fly your drone above 120 meters. Fly within the airport control zone but maintain a 3 Km distance away from the runways. The maximum distance of flight is 50 meters. Do not fly your drone above a crowd of people. Always maintain a 50-meter gap.

Drones must weigh less than 25kg

Avoid flying where there are more than 12 people concerned

How to apply for permission to fly a drone in Portugal?

If your drone has a camera capable of taking pictures or videos, you must apply for permission at the National Aeronautical Authority NAA website. To get a prompt response from the ANA abide by the contact times advertised on their website. Orders that are made outside of such timeframes will definitely be delayed. 

The online e-AAN platform helps you make a direct payment without going through what was previously a time-wasting manual submission process. 

Set up the free account and register yourself as a pilot. The website shall automatically to English should it be your language of preference.

The simplicity of the applications allows you to use Google Maps to simplify the radius of your desired point of flight. Next, submit the dates and the desired time of flight. Your submissions will undergo review by AAN who responds in a few days.

Upon familiarizing yourself with AAN and its portal, the next time will be much easier. 

If I do not want to capture photography, videos, or images of anything, should I still seek permission to fly the drone?

The answer is still yes. This extends to FPV operation. Privacy in most European countries is very strict. Infringement on other persons' private space or property can land you in legal trouble. 

Can I bring my drone to Portugal?

There are no existing restrictions as to why you should not bring over a drone from outside. Just ensure it’s under your ownership and meets the requirements of the airline concerned. 

Do I need drone liability insurance to fly a drone?

No. No part of the law expressly mentions that a pilot must have insurance. 

Where can I fly my drone in Portugal?

This map provides a clear guide on where you can and cannot fly while in Portugal. Part of the no-fly zone areas as military zones, national parks, and other areas of significant importance. 

If you plan on flying your drone above Government sites and historical buildings, educational centers, national parks, etcetera, seek authorization from the relevant local authorities. 

Examples of areas that definitely require prior consent are Belem Tower, Monsanto Prison, Terreiro do Paço, Sintra, and Alfeite Naval Base. 

National parks are run independently. To get approval for the parks, fill out this form.

When complete, have it sent to rtn@icnf.pt 

If the authorities feel that your flight plan might interfere with endangered bird species, it will be rejected.

If around a seaside port, inform the authorities close by. (We are yet to verify if this is mandatory) 

Do I need permission to fly my drone in Portugal?

As mentioned earlier you do not need a permit or license whether you intend to use your drone commercially or recreationally.