Drone laws in Portugal: registration, insurance, aerial images and where you can fly

Portugal applies Regulation (EU) 2019/947. The national civil aviation authority (ANAC) registers operators, runs the remote-pilot tests and publishes the UAS geographical zones — the official, legally binding publication. The National Aeronautical Authority (AAN) separately authorises the capture of aerial images.

You register as an operator — once, not per drone — if your drone weighs 250 g or more, or carries a camera or other sensor that can capture personal data, unless it is a toy. You register in the country where you live; the registration is recognised in every EASA country, and your operator number goes on every drone you fly.

• Register on ANAC’s UAS registry, uas.anac.pt, to get your operator number; drones are added to the same account.
• Mark every drone you fly with your operator number.

The A1/A3 proof of training and the A2 certificate are valid for five years and recognised in every EASA country. The EU minimum age for remote pilots is 16, with no minimum for a C0 drone that is a toy (Directive 2009/48/EC) flown in A1, a privately built drone under 250 g, or flying under the direct supervision of a qualified pilot; each country may set a lower age.

The remote-pilot training and tests are on ANAC’s remote-pilot portal, rp.anac.pt. Check there for current fees and any national age rule.

The national UAS geographical zones — airports, military and state sites, protected areas — are on the drone map of Portugal, with who published each one and when. To check a particular spot, click it on the map; for zones that switch on later, check your flight date.

Outside the zones, the open category’s own limits still apply: at most 120 m above the ground, the drone always in sight, and never over gatherings of people — as do any national rules, such as those on filming, privacy or local bylaws.

• Insurance: civil liability insurance is compulsory for drones over 900 g and up to 20 kg (Decreto-Lei 58/2018 and Portaria 2/2021, in force since 3 February 2021). From 20 kg, the EU’s aviation insurance rules apply.
• Aerial images: capturing and publishing aerial photos or video needs AAN authorisation, requested only through the e-AAN portal (imagensaereas.aan.pt). It is currently free; file at least ten days ahead to be sure of an answer in time, and an authorisation lasts up to 30 days. A toy drone outside military airspace is exempt.
• Military airspace: flying there needs Portuguese Air Force authorisation, issued through the AAN.
• Temporary restrictions: ANAC’s zone file is updated about quarterly and carries no short-notice restrictions — check current NOTAMs as well.

This guide summarises the official sources listed below as they stood on the date at the top. Rules and fees change: check the authority’s own pages before you fly. GeoPilot is not an authorization.