Drone Laws in Chile

Flying drones in Chile

On this page, you will learn which rules apply to drone pilots in Chile.

In Chile, you are only allowed to operate a multicopter without registration if you just fly in uninhabited areas. Otherwise, you will need to register your drone with the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC). When registering, the following information must be provided:

  • Manufacturer of the copter and production country
  • Brand, model, and serial number
  • Number of rotors
  • The maximum takeoff weight
  • Details of the technical equipment (e.g., camera)
  • Autonomous flight functions
  • Colored photo of the copter in the image size 10 x 15 cm in jpg format

After registration, you will receive a registration card, which you should always carry with you in Chile. The registration is valid for 12 months and must be renewed afterward.

For flights in populated areas you also need a remote pilot license, for which you have to take a test. You also need to apply for a permit for each flight. You can find more information here.

Overview: Drone rules in C

Recreational use of drones allowed? Yes, after registration or approval
Commercial use of drones permitted? Yes, after registration or approval
Maximum Altitude:400 in uncontrolled airspace.
Is drone insurance mandatory? Yes, for private and commercial drone flights. Learn more about drone insurance here.
Does the drone need a badge?No.
Drone labels can be ordered here
Is a registration necessary? Yes.
Keep distance to airports
Respect the privacy of other people

Further rules in Chile

The use of multicopters in Chile is only possible within visual line of sight.

Up to a take-off weight of 750 grams and for private purposes, you are not required to register with the DGAC, as long as you do not fly in public/endanger anyone and your drone does not fly higher than all obstacles within a radius of 50 meters.

Your drone should keep a distance of 2 kilometers to airports.

Bystanders must always be at a vertical distance of 20 meters and a horizontal distance of 30 meters.

The operation of drones is prohibited if manned aircraft are used for firefighting at that location.

When entering Chile, you are asked to declare your drone on the customs form.

In Chile, you are required to look at the current NOTAM before starting your drone.

We have researched the listed drone regulations for Chile to the best of our knowledge. We cannot guarantee the correctness of the information. If you want to be on the safe side, contact the competent aviation authority. Alternatively, you can also ask the embassy in your country for further information about the regulations. Please leave us a comment when you receive news and/or gain experience with your copter in Chile!

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About the author

Since January 2015, we travel around the world. In our backpack we carry a camera drone which we use to capture the best places from a bird’s perspective. First we travelled with a DJI Phantom 2. But now we use several drones like the DJI Phantom 4 Pro+ or the DJI Mini 3 Pro. On our blog we share the best tips for you about travelling with a drone. If you have questions about this article or new information, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment!

Discussions

  • Amar | 17.09.2018

    Hi, I’ve been thinking of getting a drone, specifically the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, however based on the rules for flying drones in Chile apparently the maximum weight is 750g and the Mavic 2 is over 900g. Do you know if the guidance has changed as the only one under the 750g regulation is the Mavic Pro but I don’t really want to buy the old version just to meet Chile’s requirements. I take it a 900g drone will absolutely not be allowed? I mean could I still bring it into the country or would they confiscate it at customs? Very many thanks.

    • Nacho Castañeda | 12.10.2018

      I’m from Chile. Don’t worry, they won’t confiscate your drone at customs.
      You can also fly it anywhere without a problem, just make sure to not bother people in general and don’t do anything stupid and you’ll be fine.

      • Amar Shazad | 08.11.2018

        Hi sorry I just saw your reply. That’s good to hear I am already in Chile and making my way up to San Pedro de Atacama for a few days so I hope to use it out there in some of the locations. I hope it’s not s problem there.

      • paul | 15.11.2018

        Do you know that for sure that drones are not going to be confiscated? We‘re travelling to Chile soon, with a mavic 2 pro (900g) most likely without registration… can this registration eventually be done in case of problems at the costums? many thanks

  • Daniel | 30.10.2018

    Im going to be traveling to chile and November and would like to bring my Mavic pro over. It weighs (734g) which is under the maximum requirement. I want to make sure its ok to bring it. I dont want to go there and have customs take it from me. Does anyone know or have any recent experiences about this?

    • Francis Markert | 01.11.2018

      Hi Daniel,
      Yes, it should be ok to bring the drone into the country 🙂

      • Michael Leonidov | 06.11.2018

        I am planning to go skiing in la parva, valle nevado and/or el colorado in June 2018. Will it be a problem operating my Phantom 4 pro on the slopes ?

  • Alex | 08.01.2019

    Hi there!

    Thanks for sharing this publish.

    I’m going to Atacama on Feb-19. I’ve been told that I can’t shoot only in the roads, not inside the parks. Do you know if that’s true??

    Kind regards

    • Cristina | 10.01.2019

      Yes, Im wondering too, it seem too complicated to fly in Chile, are they that strict with drone laws?

    • Lubos | 02.04.2019

      Hey Alex!
      Did you manage to shoot at Atacama? I will be going there in two weeks and I consider taking my Phantom 4 Advanced. I would appreciate any advice or suggestion. Thank you.
      L.

  • Marcos Kulenkampff | 01.02.2019

    Guys, If I fly a drone like tello or dobby, they have less than 250g, how the law is applied?

  • Timofey | 18.07.2019

    Guys,

    I am planning to come to Chile in March 2020 and I would like to bring DJI Mavic 2 Zoom drone with me to take some photos and videos of my trip – for a leisure use only. As in any other country, I am not going to operate the drone in cities, populated and prohibited/restricted areas.

    From the numerous public sources I understand that operator needs a license from the Civil Aviation authorities (DGAC) to fly a drone in Chile for drones over 750 grams. DJI Mavic 2 Zoom weighs 900 grams…

    Still there is not much information on the application of those rules and I would be very grateful if you could share your recent experience on the following:

    – How strict are controls in the Santiago airport on the drones? I’ll have only one domestic flight to Balmaceda. Is there a risk of confiscation at the controls on my flight to Balmaceda? How often drones are confiscated at airports in Chile?
    – Can the control ask for a license/registration papers from DGAC?

    I live in France and all drones over 800gr have to be registered with the local authority. The pilot has to pass a training and tests as well. The drone has to be equipped with a visible Registration label of the following format:
    * UAS-FR-XXXX
    * Name Surname
    * Address
    * Phone number

    Will it be in any way positively considered by the Chilean local authorities? Will it help me avoid troubles in the airport when bringing in the drone?

    Many thanks in advance for your help and advice.
    Best regards,
    Timofey

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