Drone regulations in Spain

Verfasst von Francis Markert | Last update on 08.07.2025 | 28 Kommentare

In this article, we’ve summarized the drone laws in Spain for you.

Spain is a popular travel destination for many, and rightfully so, thanks to its unique culture and fascinating landscapes. The southern European country offers a wide range of drone-worthy scenery—from beaches and mountains to lakes, forests, cliffs, and even volcanoes.

Unfortunately, Spain has numerous regulations that can get in the way of that quick holiday snapshot.

Let’s start with the basics: Since 2020, Spain has been subject to the EU Drone Regulation. This has largely harmonized the rules for remote pilots. You only need to register as an operator in one European country (the one you live in), and your EU drone license is recognized across all member states.

Overview of the European rules with effectiveness in Spain

In Spain, the regulations of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) apply. The following is a summary of the key facts. For a complete overview, read our article on the new EU drone regulation.

National specificities in Spain

Each country can define certain aspects of its drone regulations. For Spain, the following requirements apply in addition to the European regulations.

Additional Regulations for Drone Pilots in Spain

In addition to EU regulations, Spain follows the provisions of Royal Decree 517/2024. This has clarified and modified several aspects of the previously valid national regulations.

One particularly interesting point is the new insurance requirement. While drone insurance is generally mandatory, there are notable exceptions in the Open Category. For example, drones do not require insurance if they

1. are flown in subcategory A1, or
2. are flown in subcategory A1 and weigh less than 20 kilograms.

Still, it’s a good idea to have insurance. In many home countries like Germany, insurance is mandatory, and most policies also cover Spain. So these exceptions are often irrelevant in practice. If you’d like to learn more, check out our drone insurance guide.

Additionally, the decree details the designation of geographic UAS zones. These are areas where drone operations are restricted or subject to special conditions—similar to zones you may already be familiar with in Germany.

Spain has now regulated many such areas extensively.

Flying Drones in Cities and at the Beach: A Dealbreaker for Your Holiday?

Flying drones in urban areas requires following specific rules, as “urban environment” is defined as a geo-zone. This term is broadly interpreted to include:

• Residential areas
• Commercial and industrial zones
• Areas with infrastructure such as access roads, sidewalks, lighting, and drainage

This also includes public recreational areas with permanent or temporary buildings or facilities for leisure, recreation, or sports—such as public beaches with infrastructure, as well as parks and gardens under the jurisdiction of local authorities.

As a result, many areas that would be ideal for drone flights fall under the “urban environment” category. It’s hard to understand why beaches were included in this definition.

Restrictions in “Urban Environments”

If you want to fly a drone that requires registration (i.e., all camera-equipped drones) in an urban area, you must notify the Ministry of the Interior at least five calendar days in advance. Important: You must specify the exact time and location of each flight. Authorities may prohibit operations if they consider them a risk.

In urban environments, you may not fly over buildings or similar structures and must maintain the following safety distances:

• C1 drones (from 250 g): at least 5 meters horizontal distance from buildings and residential areas—including terraces, gardens, and courtyards.
• C2 drones (under 4 kg): at least 30 meters distance, or 5 meters when in slow flight mode.

If you have permission from the building owner or operator, these minimum distances do not apply, and you may fly over the building. However, all other legal requirements still apply.

Other Geographic UAS Zones in Spain

Besides urban environments, there are many other geo-zones. Here are some important ones:

• Environmental protection zones (e.g., national parks): Approval required from the local park authority
• Linear infrastructure (e.g., power lines, railway facilities): 25 meters lateral distance
• Non-linear infrastructure (e.g., ports): 10 meters lateral distance
• Photography-restricted zones (ZRVF): Application required with the Ministry of Defense
• Airports and helipads: Minimum distances depend on flight altitude

The first point—flying restrictions in nature reserves and national parks—often causes issues, as local contacts frequently do not respond to inquiries from travelers.

To find out where drone flights are allowed or restricted, use the linked website above. There’s also a mobile app (Spanish only): Enaire Drones.

You can click on individual locations on the map to access detailed information about the area. Often, contact information is also provided, allowing you to request permission.

If you want to obtain a drone license in Spain, you can find information about the Open Category here and the Specific Category here. However, it’s usually easier to handle this in your home country (especially due to the language barrier).

Our Conclusion

Spain has made it quite complicated to fly drones legally. Despite European efforts to harmonize laws, Spain still imposes many restrictions.

It’s worth bringing your drone to Spain if you plan to visit small beaches with little to no infrastructure.

If you have tips on great places to fly drones or want to share your experiences, we’d love to hear from you in the comments!

We’ve researched these drone rules for Spain to the best of our knowledge. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information. To be safe, contact the Spanish aviation authority. Alternatively, you can also contact the Spanish embassy in your home country for more information about the regulations. Please leave a comment if you have updates or want to share your own experiences flying a drone in Spain!