Must-Known Drone Laws In Portugal (2024)

Portugal (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – If you are planning to travel to Portugal with your drone, then you must know the rules and guidelines for flying a drone before leaving your home. Portugal’s drone laws are not that strict. The restrictions for flying a drone in Portugal are liberal. However, when compared to the United States, the rules may seem a bit restrictive. This article will tell you all about the drone rules in Portugal.

Rules For Flying A Drone In The Open Category 

You can bring your drone to Portugal and fly it once you have reached it. If your drone is in the Open Category, then you just have to register it. If you plan to take photos and videos with your drone, then you just need to do the registration process. If you are operating it commercially then the airspace rules are similar to the rules set in the US and the rest of the EU.

• You can fly a drone in the “Open” category if:
• If your drone has class identification labels: 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4.
• The drone was brought before January 20, 2023, and doesn’t have any class identification label.
• The drone has a maximum take-off weight of less than 25kg (55 lbs).
• The drone is kept away from people by the remote pilot.
• If the drone weighs less than 250g (0.55 lbs) and has a class identification tag, then it is allowed to operate over people.
• Remote pilots must keep the drone within the visual line-of-sight (VLOS). They must be assisted by a UA observer while they fly a drone
• Remote pilots cannot fly the drone beyond 120m (400ft).
• The drone must not carry dangerous goods or any kind of drop material.

General Rules for Flying a Drone in Portugal

Based on the research and interpretation of the laws set by the government in Portugal here are the most important rules that you must know for flying a drone in Portugal.

• Drone insurance is not mandatory, but according to ANAC recommendation, there is civil liability insurance that must be contracted to cover any damage that could result from the use of remotely piloted aircraft.
• Drones must not be used to capture images or video. You must take any images or videos without getting permission from the National Aeronautical Authority.
• Drone pilots should maintain the visual line of sight with their drones.
• When flying a drone, the manned aircraft should always have priority and the right of way. You must not obstruct any airplanes flying in the air.
• Toy drones i.e. drones that have a weight lesser than 0.25 kg must not be flown over people. Your drone must not fly higher than 30 meters.
• Drones, regardless of their weight, should not be flown over concentrations of people in the open air, that have more than 12 persons considered as such.
• Special permission must be obtained to fly a drone that weighs more than 25 kilograms (55 pounds). It is also not allowed to fly a drone at night, or beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) during the night

Drone Airspace Rules In Portugal

Drones must not be flown in or around airports and aerodromes. You might get punished to fly a drone in military-controlled zones. Drone pilots are prohibited to fly a drone over prisons, and security services. These areas include educational or rehabilitation areas that can be connected or associated with prisons.

Drone pilots are not allowed to fly drones over national parks. It is also against the rules to fly your drone above the national parks all over Portugal. As a drone operator, you can apply for special permission and fill out certain forms to fly a drone over a Park. You might get permission to fly the drone over a National Park when it is closed.

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No Drone Zones

Some zones in Portugal are considered to be No drone zones. Drones are prohibited, banned, or conditioned in some areas in Portugal. Here are some regional places where you are not allowed to fly your drone:

• Drones are prohibited to fly in open-air concentrations. The drone pilots must not fly a drone in the specific operational protection areas of airports and aerodromes. It is also not allowed to fly a drone in the facilities where sovereign bodies, embassies, and consular representations are located. You must not fly a drone in areas where there are military installations, security services, police, and civil protection missions taking place.
• Drones are banned and conditioned to fly above national parks. To fly over a protected national park, you should take permission.