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All Drone Laws in Spain in 2023 (Ultimate Guide)

Updated in 2023 by Paul Posea
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height flight limit 1

150m max height

cant fly over crowds of people 1

Don't fly over crowds

plane icon white 1 1

8km from airport

line of sight law 1

Only line of sight

This is a guide for Spanish drone laws in 2023 (updated every year) where you'll get a clue about what you can or shouldn't do while flying and traveling through this country.

Are drones legal in Spain?

Yes. Drones are legal in Spain. The new decree passed in December 2017, specified the process of registering for a commercial drone in Spain. It is worth noting that prior to the introduction of the new laws Spain imposed a complete ban on drones in the country. 

Who do I contact?

Laws governing the use of drones in Spain are governed by the State Agency of Air Security (AESA). Here is their website

You can get in touch with them via

Email: drones.aesa@seguridadaerea.es 

Tel: (+34)913968000

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What are the drone laws in Spain?

The rules have provisions for both commercial and recreational drones. New technologies emerging in RPAS indicate the Spanish authorities are about to incorporate the new European laws. 

The changes should go into effect in July. Further information on current drone laws in Spain is available here. It should have an English translation. 

The 3 categories of implementation are

  • The open risk category covers low-risk flights done by rookie pilots 
  • Specific category involving medium-risk operations (prior authorization a must) 
  • Certified category for certified operator pilots.
  • Line of sight: keep your drone within the visual line-of-sight of an observer who is next to you or in direct communication with you
  • No flying near airports: 8km distance from airports
  • Don't fly over crowds, any person, or moving vehicles
  • Height limit of 150m
  • Keep off sensitive areas such as government facilities
  • Do not fly at night unless your drone has lighting
  • Limits for drones over 2kg
  • They should be operated with evasion and detection systems
  • Minors should fly with the supervision of adults
  • Drones weighing less than 250 g are exempt from regulations. There is a little leeway when it comes to flying but the rules generally apply across the board. 

How can I become a certified drone pilot in Spain?

To become a drone pilot in Spain, one must:

  1. Study in a certified training institution
  2. Pass the theory exam covering air navigation, aircraft performance, dynamics, operation procedures, advanced communications, operation procedures, airspace, and air traffic control.
  3. Register as an operator with AESA
  4. This will cost around 1500 Euros
  5. Take roughly a month
  6. You should be able to speak Spanish

Can I fly over the beach?

As long as the beach is empty you should be good to go, or the people being recorded have granted you the right to record them. 

Can you take photos or videos of random people on your personal drone?

Absolutely not. There are strict data privacy laws governing the use of drones in Spain. 

Can I use my drone for commercial uses?

Only if you meet the professional drone operator (RPAS) requirements.

Is FPV allowed in Spain?

Yes. Provided the flight is within the visual line of sight and has another party overlooking the operation. 

Rules on commercial drones:

If you work with RPAS for monetary use you must:

  • Have liability insurance
  • register your drone with EASA
  • Certified drone pilot with a medical certificate

What are the restricted areas for flying drones in Spain?

There is a new app called ENAIRE that details the areas worth flying. It helps you figure out the right flight plans and details ensuring you remain on an authorized flight path. 

The flight zones are demarcated into the following flight modules: restricted, prohibited, dangerous, no-camera flight, protected flight zone, temporary flight, and controlled flight.

Flights across national parks are prohibited meaning if you want to enjoy a flight across the ten in the Iberian Peninsula, you must seek authorization from the respective Spanish National Parks body.

Can I fly over the Balearic Islands while in Spain?

Yes, all the islands allow drone flights as there are no airports. A few limited zones exist but are easy to evade. 

What is it about the new privacy laws in Spain?

Spain, like its European partners, has strong data privacy laws governing the country. More information is available in the Data Protection Act.  

Can I be penalized?

Yes. There are hefty penalties for anyone who breaches the data privacy laws and illegal trespass laws. The worst-case scenario will be jail time or 22,000 euros in fines.

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What are my top drones to fly safely in Spain?

My following two recommendations are 2 great compact drones that are quite silent and also small enough to travel with and not stand out as annoying.

1. DJI Mini 2- The best international travel drone (under 250g)

camera-icon-spec

4k

battery-icon-spec

31 min

range-icon-spec

10 km

drone-icon-spec

No follow-me

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DJI has surprised us with this incredible camera drone under 250g, which is legal to fly in most countries without registration.

It comes at a very cheap price for its incredible specs.I have covered it much more in-depth in my article review and even compared it with the Mavic Air 2.

2. DJI Mavic Air 2 - My favorite drone overall

camera-icon-spec

4k 60p

battery-icon-spec

34 min

range-icon-spec

10 km

drone-icon-spec

Follow me

image 26

If you want more control over things like shutter speed, iso, and such, the best professional drone that still falls under the 500g category is the DJI Mavic Air.

It's made mostly for people who want to play around with settings and enter into the pro category.

DJI lowered its price since it was first released.

Restricted Areas and Geofencing (Drone Flying map)

The best way to figure out what areas you can fly in, while you're here is by consulting DJI's official map.

They do a great job mapping the places that one should avoid while flying in every country:

  • airports
  • military bases
  • prisons
  • power plants
  • any high-risk areas

These would be the current updated drone laws for Spain. I suggest checking my full map with all the countries' drone laws to see where it's best to travel.

Conclusion 

If you are going to visit Spain, make sure you’ve learned all the dos and don’ts of flying drones in this region. This will help you have a safe journey and enjoy flying your drone without getting yourself into trouble.

Also, keep in mind that, commercial and recreational drones are treated differently in most countries therefore you will need to prepare yourself accordingly. Last but not least, always follow rules and regulations and make sure to respect the laws of every country.

author-paul-posea-picture
Hi, I'm Paul.
A big drone enthusiast, reviewing, comparing and writing about drones since 2015. I'm all about helping people enjoy and even monetize their hobby.

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paul posea
Paul Posea
Hi, I'm a long-time drone reviewer and I hope my articles and comparisons on this site as well as Dronesgator's youtube channel are of as much help as possible.
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