Flying a drone in Spain is regulated by both European Union aviation rules and national Spanish legislation. In Spain, drone operations are overseen by Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA), with airspace information provided through the **ENAIRE drone map.
The current framework is based on EU Regulation 2019/947 together with Spain’s Royal Decree 517/2024, which introduced additional national requirements such as advance notification for certain flights in populated areas.
⚠️ Important:
This page is intended as a general overview of drone rules in Spain as of February 2026. Drone regulations can change and may vary depending on circumstances. Always check official sources before flying.
Official government information is available from the Spanish Interior Ministry:
https://www.seguridadaerea.gob.es/es/ambitos/drones
1. Drone Categories in Spain
Drone flights in Spain follow the EU Open Category system for low-risk operations.
Subcategories include:
A1 – very small drones flying near people
A2 – mid-size drones flying close to people with restrictions
A3 – larger drones flown far from people and buildings
Most consumer drones used by hobbyists fall into these categories.
2. Drone Operator Registration
Drone operators must register if:
the drone weighs more than 250 grams, or
the drone has a camera or sensor capable of recording personal data.
Registration is completed online through AESA and provides an operator ID, which must be attached to the drone.
3. Rules for Sub-250 g Drones
Small drones under 250 grams (such as many DJI Mini models) operate under the A1 category, which has fewer restrictions.
Typical rules include:
maximum altitude 120 metres above ground level
maintain visual line of sight
avoid flying over crowds
respect privacy laws
check airspace restrictions before flying.
Despite the lighter regulations, pilots must still operate responsibly and safely.
4. Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)
Drone pilots must maintain Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) with the aircraft at all times.
This means the pilot must be able to:
see the drone directly with the naked eye
determine its position and orientation
monitor surrounding airspace and obstacles.
Flying behind buildings, hills, or trees that block visibility is not allowed in the Open category.
Estimated maximum VLOS distance
The law does not specify a fixed maximum distance, because visibility depends on drone size and conditions.
Typical practical ranges are:
Sub-250 g drones: around 150–200 m
Mid-size drones: around 200–300 m
Large drones: up to 400–500 m
In good visibility conditions, around 500 metres is generally considered the upper practical limit for VLOS operations.
We have seen instances of drones being flown in Spain that have been over 1km away from the operator, well beyond visual range.
5. Maximum Altitude
For most recreational flights, drones must remain below:
120 metres above ground level
Lower limits may apply in controlled airspace near airports or heliports.
6. Using the ENAIRE Drone Map
Before flying a drone in Spain, pilots should check the official ENAIRE Drones map, which displays airspace restrictions and other geographic limitations.
The map includes several important layers.
Aviation restrictions
These include:
airports and heliports
controlled airspace
military zones
restricted or prohibited airspace
temporary restrictions (NOTAM).
Environmental protection zones (ZEPA)
The map also shows ZEPA areas (Zonas de Especial Protección para las Aves), which are protected bird habitats under EU environmental law.
Drone flights may be restricted or require permission in these areas to avoid disturbing wildlife.
National parks and protected areas
Drone flights are usually prohibited in national parks and protected nature reserves without permission from the relevant environmental authority.
UAS geographical zones
Spain defines UAS geographical zones that may impose additional rules, restrictions or coordination requirements for drone flights.
“NO AIP data” areas
Some zones on the map are labelled “NO AIP data”. This means the restriction does not originate from official aeronautical publications but from other safety or security sources, such as hospital heliports or emergency infrastructure.
Even though they are not part of standard aviation charts, they may still restrict drone operations.
7. Urban Area Flights (5-Day Notification Rule)
Under Royal Decree 517/2024, drone operations in populated environments may require advance notification to authorities.
In many cases, pilots must notify the Spanish Ministry of the Interior at least 5 days before flying in urban environments.
The notification may include:
pilot and operator details
drone model
planned flight location
date and time of operation.
Authorities may prohibit or restrict the flight if safety concerns exist.
8. What Counts as an Urban Area
Urban areas generally include:
towns and cities
residential neighbourhoods
industrial estates
commercial areas
public parks or recreational spaces
populated beaches and promenades.
In practice, most built-up tourist locations fall under this category.
9. Flying Over Buildings and Private Property
Drone pilots must consider safety, privacy, and property rights when flying near buildings.
Sub-250 g drones
For drones under 250 grams, the standard minimum separation distances used for larger drones generally do not apply.
However, pilots must still operate safely and use common sense, particularly when flying near structures.
Good practice includes:
avoiding very low flights over rooftops or terraces
maintaining a safe height
ensuring a malfunction would not damage property.
Permission from property owners
Drone flights should not take place directly over buildings without the permission of the property owner.
This applies to:
houses and apartments
villas and gardens
hotels
commercial buildings.
Even when aviation rules allow the flight, property rights and privacy laws still apply.
We have seen many instances of drones being flown over properties, many properties in “village views”, and it is highly unlikey permissions have been sought from all those property owners to fly over.
10. Flying Over People
Rules about flying over people depend mainly on the weight of the drone.
Sub-250 g drones
Very small drones under 250 grams may fly over individual people, but pilots should avoid doing so whenever possible.
Important restrictions:
do not deliberately hover over people
do not repeatedly fly above the same individuals
never fly over crowds.
Any overflight of a person should be brief and minimized.
What counts as a crowd?
Drone rules prohibit flying over assemblies of people.
A crowd is generally defined as a density of people where individuals cannot easily move away if a drone were to malfunction or crash.
Examples include:
concerts or festivals
demonstrations
sporting events
crowded markets
densely packed beaches.
Areas with scattered individuals, such as lightly populated promenades or parks, are normally not considered crowds.
11. Insurance
Insurance requirements depend on the type of operation.
Recreational flights in the Open category may not legally require insurance, but many pilots choose to carry third-party liability coverage.
Commercial drone operations normally require insurance.
12. Penalties for Breaking Drone Laws
Spain has strict penalties for illegal drone operations.
Possible fines may range from:
€60 to €45,000 for minor offences
up to €225,000 for very serious violations.
There has been a case of a holidaymaker flying a drone without registering the drone or pilot, not providing the necessary 5 days notification of flying in an urban area, flying in a crowded area – which could bring a massive fine.
Key Tips for Flying a Drone in Spain
Before flying a drone in Spain:
Register as an operator if required
Check the ENAIRE drone map
Stay below 120 m altitude
Maintain visual line of sight
Avoid flying over crowds
respect privacy and property rights
follow any urban flight notification requirements.
Following these guidelines will help ensure drone flights remain safe and legal in Spain.