150m max height

Don't fly over crowds

8km from airport

Only line of sight

All Drone Laws in Spain for 2021 (Ultimate Guide)

This is a guide for Spanish drone laws in 2021 (updated every year) where you'll get a clue about what you can or shouldn't do while flying and travelling 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 has 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

What are the drone laws in Spain?

he 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 current drone laws in Spain available here. It should have an English translation.

The 3 categories of implementation are:

The open risk category that 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 done 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
Do not fly over any person or moving vehicle
Height limit of 150m
Keep off sensitive areas
such as government facilities
No night flying
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:

Study in a certified traning institution
Pass the theory exam covering air navigation, aircraft performance, dynamics, operation procedures, advanced communications, operation procedures, airspace, and air traffic control.
Register as an operator with AESA
This will cost around 1500 Euros
Take roughly a month
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.

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 have 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 or22,000 euros in fines.

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.

Dji Mini 2- The best international travel drone (under 250g)

31min

10km

No follow me

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 it's 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

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 it's 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 offilicial map.
They do a great job mapping the places that one should avoid while flying in every country:

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 to.

Drone laws Ending

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