Flying drones in Mallorca has become very fashionable in recent times. Mallorca has become a coveted film set for those wishing to capture the beauty of this idyllic location.
But beyond the impressive photos and videos with the drone that you surely know you can get on this island, I would like to give you some recommendations that you should put into practice before flying your drone in Mallorca.
So that you can fly safely and normally in the largest of the Balearic Islands, I will tell you a little about the current regulations on drones in Spain, as there is a legal framework that you must know to fly safely and within the law both for Mallorca and for the rest of Spain.
Maybe your interest in knowing where to fly drones comes from the interest in doing an activity that is becoming very fashionable among couples who travel to the largest of the Balearic Islands, the unique proposal idea in Mallorca. Whatever the intention of what you want to do with your drone, keep reading because you are in the right place.
Regarding the legal framework, the State Agency for Aviation Safety (AESA) is the body in charge of establishing the regulations for the use of drones in Spain.
Before flying your drone in Mallorca (and this also applies to anywhere in Spain) you need to know what the requirements are for flying a drone in Spain, which I will summarise below:
Pilot’s license, essential depending on the type of drone you fly and the type of operation.
Liability insurance covering damage to third parties. With the new RD not all drones are now required to have drone insurance, although I always recommend it. Coverdrone is the cheapest drone insurance I have found for both recreational and professional drones.
Knowing the flight rules
Understand the ENAIRE map to know the UAS geographical zones.
If you come from abroad, and you want to fly your drone here you must have previously registered your drone in any EU country (including Switzerland, Norway, Lichtenstein among others). This is new since the entry into force of the new Royal Decree UAS 517/2024.
The drone registration obligation is different, there is no longer a distinction between professional and recreational, nor between pilots registered in Spain and EU (including Switzerland, Norway, Lichtenstein among others), and is as follows:
If you fly your drone in open category you are not required to register your aircraft, only the registration as an operator in the case that the characteristics of your aircraft make you are obliged to perform this registration.
If you are going to fly in a specific category, it is necessary to register the aircraft, as you will have to make an operational declaration or authorization request.
(Only for EASA registered pilots) In this case, you must access the ‘aircraft’ section which you will find by logging in to your user (https://sede.seguridadaerea.gob.es/AESA_UAS/). Inactive’ status refers to aircraft that have been included in the profile but are not yet part of an operational declaration or authorisation. As soon as the aircraft is included in either of these two applications, the status automatically changes to ‘Auto Accepted’.
If you need specialised advice, management and processing of flight permits in Mallorca and Spain, do not hesitate to contact us. We will attend to all your requests.
Drone flying areas in Mallorca
Once you are clear about the requirements to fly a drone in Spain, the next thing to do is to check the area in which you want to operate and to do this you will need to use the Enaire Drones map. Here I explain how to use it.
In this article I will talk briefly about what mainly affects Mallorca. For further information and knowledge I recommend you to read my article on UAS geographic zones.
In Mallorca (and in most of Spain) you will find 3 types of possible scenarios described with colours:
The red zone is subject to drone flight restrictions and delimits the following flight zones:
Airport, airfield, heliports and microlight activities
Protected Natural Spaces (ENP)
Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) | RED NATURA 2000
Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA | ENP)
Photographic Flight Restricted Area (Zona Restringida al Vuelo Fotográfico, ZRVF)
Yellow zones are areas adjacent and adjacent to these red zones that do not prohibit flight but limit it to a maximum height, different for airports and for aerodromes. They can also be NOTAMs.
Uncoloured or grey zoneis a free drone flight zone, but beware, as you ‘zoom in’ and as you approach your area of operation you may discover new red zones that restrict your flight and you may have to apply for a permit.
This is what the new Enaire map looks like after its update with the new Royal Decree 517/2024.
Airports, aerodromes, heliports and microlight safety areas
Marked in red on the Enaire drones map.
This flight zone is the most restrictive and most sensitive to respect, failure to do so could have fatal consequences.
Airports have two zones of interest to us: the CTR (controlled traffic region), which is the outermost safety zone from the central reference point of the airport, and where it is now possible to fly up to a height of 60m without the need for coordination with the control tower, and the ATZ zone, which is the main and most critical transit zone for aircraft and larger aircraft. I talk about all this in my article on the updated UAS geographic zones in the new RD.
To fly at aerodromes, heliports and microlight safety areas, coordination through forms already prepared by them is sufficient. On the day of the flight, before starting the operation, you will have to give notice (coordination) by email or phone call to let us know that you are ready to start the operation.
The contact telephone numbers for the aerodrome can be found in the warning box on the left hand side of the Enaire map by clicking on the area marked with a red circle.
UAS geographical zones of aerodromes, airports, heliports and microlight areas in Majorca
Protected Natural Spaces | ENP
Marked in green on the Enaire drones map.
Mallorca has several protected natural areas, such as the Natural Park of s’Albufera, the Es Trenc salt marshes in Campos, the Sierra de Tramuntana, and at the same time an extensive NATURA 2000 NETWORK that borders the entire Mallorcan coastline, protecting a large number of birds.
There are different types of applications for drone flights in ENP, depending on the area the application will change.
In these areas, drone flight is restricted and controlled to protect biodiversity and avoid possible disturbance to the wildlife that inhabits them. To fly in an ENP, regardless of the weight of your drone, you must:
Apply for a Permit to Fly via an application through the Registry, and it will take no less than 30-45 working days (being optimistic) to be resolved, so if you want to fly in an ENP, I recommend planning your flight well in advance. And you will have to fill in and send it by registration:
An application for a permit to fly.
A general model of declaration of good practices in natural protected areas (ENP).
There are 2 types of applications for activities in Espacios Naturales Protegidos (ENP):
NON-professional flight. A flight in which images will be obtained for personal or non-commercial purposes.
Professional Flying. A flight in which images will be obtained for commercial or economic use. These flights, apart from requiring validation by a technical team, are subject to fees that will vary depending on the working team.
Special Bird Protection Areas (ZEPA)
In the Enaire Drones map, there are 2 types of ZEPA zones:
Inland ZEPA, the application is the same as the ENP application we have just seen.
Coastal or marine littoral ZEPA. A distinction must be made between regionally and nationally managed ZEPA
Inland ZEPA area
For flying in an inland SPA you will have different instructions depending on your type of activity:
Recreational: You must fill out, sign and send to electrónico:especies@dgmedinatural.caib.es this responsible statement attaching a copy of your ID card.
Professional: The application, in this case, will be the same as the one I have explained for ENP, and you will still have to pay a fee to fly your drone in this area.
Coastal or marine littoral ZEPA area
The ZEPA area belongs to the NATURA 2000 programme and has two authorities or bodies responsible for its management: regional and national.
Regional and national Special Protection Areas (ZEPA)
STATE ZEPA
The flight for personal recreational use of drones is prohibited in ZEPA managed by the General State Administration. You can view the official document here.
So if you want to fly your drone NON-PROFESSIONALLY in any of the areas shown on the map/photograph below, you will be flying illegally and may face a heavy fine from the national authorities.
Map of STATE SPA area where recreational drone flying is prohibited
REGIONAL ZEPA
Recreational Flight: You will have to fill in a good practice form and send it digitally or by presenting it at any registry office addressed to the Species Protection Service of the Directorate General for the Natural Environment and Forest Management. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment.
Not intended for research or filming of marine fauna species:
You should see the map of ideib Mallorca (shown below), on the left in ‘Afegir dades‘ write the name of the layers that appear, and check if any zone affects your flight. If your flight is recreational, you will only have to fill in and send the responsible declaration that I have mentioned in the ‘inland SPA’ section. If your flight is professional or commercial and the reportage takes place in a protected Natura 2000 Network area that does not coincide with a protected natural area, you must submit the following application, either by registering or by sending all the completed documentation to the email address you will see.
Only 10 flights are allowed within a calendar year per pilot. If you have to carry out more than 10 flights and/or in any of the sensitive areas, you must request at least 1 month before the activity a report on the effects on the Red Natura 2000 and also submit it by register.
Intended for research or filming of marine wildlife
You must have the approval of the Subdirectorate General for Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity and send by registration or email to bzn-biomarina@miteco.es.
Here you can consult the criteria for the flight of drones in marine ZEPA under state jurisdiction and for any questions you can write to them at bzn-espaciosmarinos@miteco.es.
Affected areas to fly your drone in ENP and ZEPA areas
For further information please call the Species Protection Service: Tel. 971 176586
Photographic flight restricted areas | ZRVF
Marked with a red rectangle on the Enaire drones map.
The request for a flight permit is made, at national level, by writing to the Centre for Cartographic Studies (CECAF) – cecaf@ea.mde.es – filling in the form they give you. Once filled in, resend it to the same contact email address.
The ZRVF are spread all over the island of Mallorca but are more frequent in some western and central areas of Mallorca.
Zonas restringidas al vuelo fotográfico en Mallorca (Restricted areas for photographic flights in Mallorca)
NOTAM
NOTAM (notice to airmen or mission) are also frequent, mostly of a military nature for flight practices and also for particular airspace reservations. See my article if you want to know how to interpret a NOTAM.
In my experience, I have encountered them most often in:
Formentor area, military aerodrome of Puerto de Pollensa
Port of Sóller military zone
Llucmajor Area
Son Bonet Aerodrome, Palma
The picture below shows a NOTAM on a certain day, so it does not mean that it is the only one. You must check on the day of your flight that a NOTAM has not been declared in the area where you are going to fly, if this happens your flight is automatically suspended as these NOTAMs ALWAYS have priority.
Remember to check the possible flight restrictions on the Enaire Drones map.
Sierra de Tramuntana: Although part of this area is protected (I have already told you how to proceed), there are areas where flying is allowed. It is essential to consult specific maps and always fly with caution.
Cap de Formentor
Es Colomer Viewpoint
Sa Calobra
Sunsets:
El Toro
Sant Elm, in Andratx, in front of the Dragonera island.
Sa Foradada
Puig de Santa Magdalena
Cabo Blanco Lighthouse
Ses Salines lighthouse
Beaches and coves: While many popular beaches can be crowded, there are lesser-known coves that allow for spectacular catches. It is always vital to fly early or late to avoid crowds, and on summer days to avoid the harsh light of the central hours of the day. The beaches in the east of Mallorca are usually free of restrictions.
Even if you can fly without the need for permits and licences in these environments, you must be clear about the rules and restrictions for flying a drone, because it also has them.
Drone flying must not invade people’s privacy. It is illegal and unethical to fly over private property or to film people without their consent.
I hope this article has clarified everything you need to know to fly a drone safely and legally in Mallorca.
It is important that these concepts are clear to you so that you do not engage in illegal practices that endanger people, structures or animals, so if you still have any doubts or if something is not clear to you, please let me know. I’m here to help you!
I hope this information has helped you :)
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53 Responses
Hola Javier! How are you?
Thank you for your article! I do have a question though and maybe you can help me out!
I’m planning on a canyoning trip to Mallorca in the last week of December and I want to fly with my drone during those activities. All the canyons are in the protected naturel area on the northwest side of the island.
I do have my A1-A3 license and my drone (DJI mini 3) is registered by the EASA (or the Dutch/European equivalent). My question is; do I need permission for a drone below 250 grams to fly in those areas, cause I can’t find anything about that online, and if I need permission, how do I apply for that?
Hi, Wietse,
First of all, thanks to express your comment through here.
And, answering your question: you can fly a drone in towns and villages in Mallorca if you have a drone under 250 grams, as long as you don’t fly higher than 20 meters, but you DO need a permit to fly a drone in a protected natural area, at least in Mallorca, regardless of weight of your drone.
First of all, as I said at the beginning of my article, you need to check ENAIRE DRONES’s website.
Write the place where the activity will be released and depending on the area, you might have different warnings:
Flights in prohibited areas (P)
Restricted areas (R)
Dangerous areas (D)
Sensitive wildlife areas (F)
Photographic flight restricted areas (PFRZ)
Drone flights near airports, airfields and heliports
Birds protection special area
Check the place or let me know exactly the point where you want to fly and I’ll be able to provide you a better accurate help.
I’ll be happy to help you out.
Thanks, again, to take Mallorca’s wildlife into consideration and respect when asking for help and wanting to fly under the law.
I checked the ENAIRES Drone website and I have drawn the canyons in a map and put the map from ENAIRES on top of it. You can see it via this link: https://postimg.cc/crRBMXHy
As I can see, all of them are in either one or multiple restricted area’s and it states that I should contact the local goverment (?) Illes Balears and Air Staff (CECAF). Is there a way how to do that as a foreigner? How do I apply for a permit?
This is the list of canyons we’re going to explore:
-Gorg Blau i Sa Fosca
-Na Mora
-Biniaraix
-Coanegra
-Valldemossa
-Guix
-Diners
-Esmolar
I’ve checking all the locations and the restrictions that you’ll see on Enaire map:
CECAF (yellow rectangle) corresponds to a photographic flight restricted area, it means you can fly but wihtout taking, neither photos nor videos. To get permit to fly and the instructions to know how to proceed, you must contact to Spanish Ministry of the Interior to this email and cecaf@ea.mde.es
MITECO (Espacios Naturales Protegidos) corresponds to Protected Natural Area. For contacting them you should email them to autoritzacions@dgmambie.caib.es. Keep in mind it takes a while for them to give you the permit. No less than a month, so contact them in advance.
These are the 3 assumptions you’ll find, indistinctly, for all the locations you have told me about. For CECAF and Espacios Naturales Protegidos, you’ll have to apply with one request per site. ZEPA is enough just once.
Now you have the ways to contact them, hopefully you’be able to get them.
Thank you one more time for the information. I’ve sent email with required documents to the 3 organisations. From CECAF i’ve got a reply that they’ll take care of it in the next 10 business days, which is fine.
From MITECO (Espacios Naturales Protegidos) I got this reply. I guess the first link is for the canyoning activity and the second one to hand in several documents electronically. But what documents do I need to upload?
Dispone información de cómo solicitar autorización para realizar actividades en espacios naturales protegidos de las Illes Balears en la siguiente página web:
For all kind of drone activities in “espacios naturales protegidos” go to the following link: https://www.caib.es/sites/espaisnaturalsprotegits/es/com_sollicitar_una_autoritzacio-22089/ –> You need to fulfill this 2 documents (Modelo declaración buenas prácticas.pdf
Modelo solicitud autorización actividades en los espacios naturales protegidos.pdf).
Then take this 2 documents already fulfilled + your ID + your flight plan, this is “Memoria explicativa de la actividad” (my advice for this is: go to GOOGLE EARTH and do a screenshot of the location with geo-coordenates)
Thank you! Everything is very clear now! I got the right forms filled in. I even got the permission from CECAF today! Which is really quick I Think. So thank you for your help!
I do have one problem though, which I can’t figure out. I need to upload the files via the button”Acceso al trámite telemático”, but then I need to log in with Cl@ve. I don’t have that, as I’m dutch. And as far as I can see, I can’t register without an DNI/NIE, which I also don’t have.
Do you have any idea or tips on how to get through that system?
Hi Wietse,
I’m happy you could do it with CECAF, yes, they are very fast, they work very good.
After checking it, I noticed you cannot register documents through that way because it’s just for balearics citizens, that’s why you are asked for ClavePin. Never mind.
Try this general register way:
1. Click here https://reg.redsara.es/#login
2. Choose UE citizen
3. Choose your country and you should be able to go through the register
1 -have you ever applied for and received any permission to fly?
2 – Mirador de el colomer. it’s probably in a military zone. There is only a phone number in the app. Try to call for permission? is there any form also and email address for them?
Thanks for contacting me.
Yes, I’ve got several permissions from this Military Aerodrome. They are cool in terms of granting flying permits.
Write them an email adress letting them know your purpose with this form fullfilled and attached. Send it to this email adress.
Don’t forget to unblock the GEO zone in the DJI app too, otherwise your drone won’t move up.
Thanks for respecting and worrying about flying legally in Mallorca
Looking to flying at formentor and col femenia and sol colobra I have a DJI mini 2se and a European permit I see these areas are in a protected zone who should I contact for permission to fly it will be be recreational and around 9 mins each area of people in my cycling group
The answer of your question is in the conversation I had in comments with another user called Wietse.
Read it and check your answer is there! Let me know if not, and if you have further questions.
If you are interested in the world of drones and want to keep up to date on developments, news and regulatory changes I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter.
Hi Javier,
Do you know if it is possible to request authorization to fly if the drone and pilot are licensed outside of the EU? I have a registered drone (> 250g) and a Canadian license.
As far as I read this EASA’s article about Non-EU residents and plan to visit and operate a drone in an EASA Member State, I think it will be a bit complicated, but not impossible: “If you are a resident of a non-EASA Member State and plan to visit and operate a drone in an EASA Member State, you need to register as a drone operator with the National Aviation Authority of the first EASA state you intend to operate from.
Once you are registered in your host EASA Member State, this will be valid across the rest of EASA Member States. You don’t need to register in another EASA Member State again.
You also need to train and pass the drone pilot’s certificate online exam and get the European certificate in any EASA Member State. Some National Aviation Authorities offer the training and exam in English.
And of course, you need to comply with the European Drone regulations.”
If you have further questions, you can contact AESA and EASA
Anyway, I contacted and asked them for you. If I get any other answer that I gave you so far, I’ll refresh this answer and let you know. And if you find out how to solve this, I’d appreciate you let me know through here so we can help other users out.
If you are interested in the world of drones and want to keep up to date on new developments, news and regulatory changes I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter
Hello,
I found your email address whilst searching for help in determining where I could legally fly my <250 gms. DJI Mini 3 Pro. On the Island of Mallorca.
I have, I believe all the correct documents required. EASA Operator registration + proof of completed online training in the A1/A3 open sub category. Also liability insurance with Coverdrone.
I wish to know if I can fly legally in the area I will be staying, which is Santa Ponca?
Using Dronecast mapping It looked like I would be just west of the airport NFZ. However I have just learned I need to use Enaires mapping. On checking this map it appears there is another restriction which covers part of the airport zone & the area I will be staying in. However further west looks like I should be ok to fly.
Can you advise on the restriction area which is overlaid on Santa Ponca? I am only wishing to fly as a recreation flyer. Do I need to obtain permission to fly in this area. If so how do I apply & to which authority?
I also note there are many areas close to my vacation hotel which are restricted due to birds & national parks. As I like walking, as well as flying my drone. My question is as above, do I need permission & if so how to request it. The last thing I would wish to do is not follow ALL the rules & guidance for safe & legal flying of my drone.
Any advise you can offer me would be much appreciated.
Thanks for writing your question through this blog.
Yes, in Spain the most validapp to know where to fly legally is ENAIRE DRONES, only that.
I recommend you to read this article too.
In Santa Ponça area I can see 3 types of restrictions for drone flying:
“Yellow rectangle”: Areas restricted to photographic flight. To get the flight permission you must contact to this email. They’ll give you intructions to follow.
“Red area”: It’s a controlled traffic region. It’s the aviation security zone at Palma airport. It’s a critic zone, where to get the permits you will need a lot of paperwork. You should forget about flying in this area since you told you just have A1/A3 license.
Recreational activities are not allowed in controlled airspace (CTR) and FIZ zones, and will only be possible from infrastructures designed for UAS flight, and whose manager has coordinated the conditions with the air traffic service provider (ATS).
To flight here you would need:
The conduct of operations in this area is subject to a number of requirements:
Equipment and training. According to article 33.1.e of RD 1036/2017, it is necessary to have radio equipment (walkie-talkie) that allows two-way communication with the aeronautical stations (control tower). It is also compulsory to have a radio operator’s certificate with which to accredit the knowledge to establish this communication correctly. I have the Yaesu FTA-450L, and it’s a real blast.
Coordinated aeronautical safety study (EAS) and coordination of operations with the Air Traffic Service Provider (ATSP). These types of operations require a specific operational risk assessment and mitigation (EARO) coordinated with the ATSP as a means of clarifying the safety of the operation to be conducted. An EARO validated by the ATSP is evidence of coordination of an EAS.
I will write about this in future articles.
ATS (air traffic services) flight plan and ATC clearance or communication to AFIS (aerodrome flight information) personnel. To comply with RD 1180/2018 UAS operations in controlled airspace and/or FIZ must:
Submit a flight plan (specific guidance) for ATS (FPL message). It should be indicated that it is an unmanned flight.
Obtain prior authorisation from the ATS or communication to AFIS of the flights to be performed.
“violet area with a blue stroke”: It’s an Environmental zone. The overflight of natural areas will always be under the authorisation of the manager of the protected area, always complying with the established restrictions and legislation.
In the ENAIRE DRONES map, these areas are reflected in the layers “protected natural areas” and “special protection areas for birds”.
Hi Javier,
Many thanks for your very detailed answer to my “guidance” question.
Can I trouble you with a request for a little more detail?
As I am very new to drone flying & I will be 79 years old tomorrow, I must point out that I am not the quickest when finding my way around the internet.
As with the UK regulations, Spain’s airports are NFZ’s. So I have no intention of flying within those areas.
The restricted zone which covers Santa Ponca is a photography restricted area. Reading through your blog my understanding of this zone requires permission to fly & take photos/videos. Am I correct in thinking that flying is ok providing I don’t use the camera at all? ( I could gain more practice with flight control whilst staying below 20 mtrs.? )
The restricted zone ends a few hundred yards to the West of the hotel I will be staying at. This area suggests there are no restrictions in or around the towns. Am I correct in thinking this area is a safe place in which to fly? Providing of course I observe the general rules in the open category.
The forms you have mentioned are of course in Spanish. I am trying to translate them in to English. Which is proving difficult for me. So I will have to ask friends for help in this matter.
Hello Javier, Further to my last message. I did email cecaf earlier, the response was that I should refer to an attached document. However there was no attachment just a footnote which in Spanish which read as follows:-
Thank you for your question. This
Centre is responsible for the subjects published in the AIC 05/20 (AIP SPAIN), hereby attached. For other matters, please contact ENAIRE.
Best regards.
—–Mensaje original—
De: Dave Small
[mailto:davesmall09@gmail.com]
Enviado el: martes, 27 de febrero de
2024 23:47
Para: CECAF
Asunto: Drone flying.
ATENCIÓN: Este mensaje proviene de fuera del Ministerio de Defensa. Por favor, no pulse en enlaces ni abra archivos adjuntos a menos que reconozca al remitente y sepa que el contenido es seguro.
I think the last paragraph was about following links?
So they did not seem to direct me to a form to apply for permission. Would that be because they don’t give permission to recreational flyers?
I have as yet to try to obtain permission for National parks & protected bird zones.
It’s correct, you can fly in this photographic flight restricted area as long as you don’t take any picture and video, and always providing the general rules in the open category.
Hello again Javier,
I have been struggling with the form for flying in a restricted photography area.
1. Is it unlikely that permission will be given to me to take videos/photos?
2. I assume I have to request permission, even just to do a few basic flights for practice purposes?
3. If the answer to the above is YES, can you please offer help in filling out the form?
Apart from my personal details the remaining questions I find hard to think what to enter. E.G. I will not know my take off locations until I arrive there in May ’24. Or how to find the 1/2500 map & the required details, is it just the sheet No required? (Sheet 0698-3?).
Would it perhaps be easier for me to forget the area around my hotel location & travel Westerly for a few hundred meters into the grey area for “free flying”? this area must surely have a few places with scenic views & walks?
I will look at the locations of protected areas in that region in a day or so. then decide if I need to apply for authority to fly within those areas.
I will take your advice on the actions I should follow.
1. I don’t see why you wouldn’t be given the permission since you told me you have an operator registration + proof of completed online training in the A1/A3 open sub category.
2. The photographic flight restricted area (ZRVF) permit is just required for pilots who want to take photos and film, so if you just want to fly you don’t need to aply for it.
Another option if you don’t know the area where you will fly, it’s when you come to Mallorca, use ENAIRE DRONES on your phone and check where you are and move to the “grey area” and fly.
Can you describe purpose of circular zones in southern Mallorca with description:
“ALERTA: Se encuentra en el área de seguridad de una actividad de Ultraligero. ”
They are marked red but without information that flight with a drone is forbidden or restricted somehow. What’s “una actividad de Ultraligero”? Can you elaborate about it?
This is an area where ultralight planes fly, so to get a flight permit you must call those phone number which appear when pressing the area you want to fly in ENAIRE map, in the warning square at the left, and coordinate your drone flight with this aerodrome in order to avoid any accident.
Thanks. Hard to call anybody for Son Alberti (Llucmajor) zone as there is no phone number. But ok, I understand.
The most biggest problem is probably the bird protection ZEPA areas as they are almost everywhere. And it seems non-commercial flights are prohibited regardless of the birds’ breeding periods.
You are right, flying drones for personal recreational use is prohibited in ZEPA areas managed by the General State Administration and “regardless of the birds’ breeding period” as you said. I don’t understand either that but these are the rules here in Mallorca.
Here are the phone number to contact the aerodrome:
Contacto: TEL: +34-629 415 605;TEL: +34-971 242 626;TEL: +34-971 271 210
Then which ZEPA zones are allowed to fly in recreational flights after submitting form described in chapter “Coastal or marine littoral ZEPA area” and which are forbidden with no exceptions ?
Hi Jaroslaw,
Thanks for your interesting question.
The flight for personal recreational use of drones is PROHIBITED (with no exceptions) in ZEPA areas managed by the General State Administration. The rest of the coast not influenced by ZEPA is free to fly (check for another type of restictions out before flying)
Check this article out for further info. (it’s not translated into spanish, sorry)
So if you want to fly in any of these areas, take into consideration paying for flying the drone.
Thanks for your words. I love drones and help people to fly safely when they travel and fly around Spain.
It’s clear to me you love drones and if you want to stay tuned with all news and offers of drones world I’ll invite you to subscribe to my newsletter 🙂
Good luck with your flights in Mallorca if you come over.
Hi Javier. I have just purchased my first drone. I bought the DJI Mini 4 Pro, 249g, fly more package. I’m resident on the East Coast of Mallorca and my usage will be recreational filming.
Can you advise what registrations or licences I will need for this, including the appropriate forms and email addresses to send them to.
Also, what suggestions can you offer, for me to test fly and get orientated with the functions of the drone.
Anyway I encourage you to check and read some articles I wrote, they are very didactics and interesting for someone who wants to start piloting drones.
Hello Javier.
I send email with question about fflying by Mirador de es Colomer. I used link wich I got from you but I got an answeer:
”
Infodefensafas
12:32 (5 godzin temu)
do mnie
En contestación a su correo electrónico abajo referenciado, recibido en el Servicio de Información Administrativa del Ministerio de Defensa, en el que solicita información sobre el vuelo de drones, le informamos que la competencia sobre dichas operaciones aéreas, recae en ENAIRE, proveedor de servicios de navegación aérea y de información aeronáutica en España, entidad pública empresarial dependiente del Ministerio de Transportes, Movilidad y Agenda Urbana.
Adjunto le remitimos enlace de dicha entidad, donde ENAIRE, pone a disposición de todos los ciudadanos la aplicación ENAIRE Drones, con toda la información necesaria, para la operación que usted refiere.
Servicios online (enaire.es)
Asimismo, puede ponerse en contacto con el siguiente organismo de este Ministerio:
Sección de Espacio Aéreo
Servicio de Información Aeronáutica Militar (MILAIS)
If you click on the red circle, in Enaire map, the info you’ll get is the next one:
ALERTA: Se encuentra en el área de seguridad de la Base militar de hidroaviones MALLORCA/Pollensa , LEPO.
NO permitido el vuelo a drones excepto coordinación con el Base militar de hidroaviones.
Contacto: TEL: +34-971 865 450
Don’t forget to ask for permission to ENP which is very important too:
Nombre: Serra de Tramuntana.
Datos NO AIP. Fuente de la información: MITECO.
Se encuentra en un espacio natural protegido. Consulte posibles restricciones y/o permisos específicos del espacio protegido con el responsable de su gestión: Contacte con Illes Balears
I just found you web and I noticed that you were so polite and answer some questions to people which are planning to visit Mallorca. I have faith, if I asked you very politely, that maybe you can also help me with my question regarding visit Mallorca with my drone 🙂
I am only starting to fly with drone so I have not big experiences and I got little lost between all the documents written in Spain … And there is so much colors in Enaire map so I am not sure if I understand it correctly.
I have DJI mini 3 pro. 249 gram with camera I have classic licence from my country for only open category A1-A3.
I would like to visit, fly and make a few pictures on these places:
Sa Calobra
beach Caló del Moro
Embalse de cuber
Far de Formentor
I was interested also about Platja es trenc – here I can see red circle, so I suppose I cannot fly there. We are using our drone as our personal photographer also 🙂 So I was thinking about taking some pictures of us on this beach. Do you know if is there any acceptance for example if we will fly only 10 meters(or less) above our heads to just take pictures of us? Do you think this will be possible also on other places mentioned in my list? 🙂 Sorry, maybe these are silly questions, we my only this was to Dominican Republic so far. There I just fill formaule, sent to aviacion and in a few days I got permit.
I do not want to break laws and I want to have everything officially confirmed.
Thank you so much for your time in case you read this into the end.
Sorry for the late reply but latest days are being very hectic!
Well, I’ll break down all the places you want to fly your drone depending on the locations, and I`ll let you know the flight permits you need:
Beach Caló del Moro: You need to contact by phone: TEL: +34-629 415 605, +34 971 242 626, +34 971 271 210 Sa Calobra, Embalse de Cúber and Far de Formentor: You’ll need to fill ENP’s application for NON-professional flights as I say in the reference article. Sorry about the articles wich are written in spanish, they are not available in english.
Platja es trenc: You need to ask for permit to ENP (like Sa Calobra, Embalse de Cúber and Far de Formentor) plus ZEPA areas. ZEPA coastal area is managed by General State Administration, and since your flight is for personal use and recreational purposes your flight in this area is prohibited. Flying in ZEPA coastal areas is just for professional purposes.
And answering to “Do you know if is there any acceptance for example if we will fly only 10 meters(or less) above our heads to just take pictures of us? Do you think this will be possible also on other places mentioned in my list?”, sorry but it doesn’t exist this special permit for low height flights.
In my web’s articles I try to do my best and explain the way you can apply for every flight permits in order for you to do it yourself, but in the case you experiment any trouble with it, I have a management service to process flight permits.
Depending on when your trip will be, you’ll be on time or not to apply for each permit.
For instance, those in charge of answering and accepting ENP requests are taking almost 3 months (there are a lot of applicants) and I imagine that you want to come to Mallorca earlier than these 3 months, so unfortunately I think that flying in these places is going to be almost impossible with such as small periode of time to apply for flight permits.
With the new rules, how do you contact make a request from the Ministry of Interior within 5 days? The electronic tools seem to require Cl@ve.. not sure if I can use this from Canada.
But I then need to drop that off in person, which won’t be 5 days in advance.
Looking at ENAIRE, you can actually fly in quite a few spots in Barcelona under 45m under the new rules with just the Ministry of Interior approval and the standard things training, insurance, fireproof plate etc..
I know this is super new.. but I am going to Spain in 4 weeks and am trying to figure this out.
I did put in contact Ministerio del Interior for your question, as soon as they answer me I’ll let you konw.
And with the new rules, don’t forget aboutdrone registration at Ministerio del Interior too!!
I have a wedding coming up at Son Marroig in Mallorca on September 16th this year, I have a DJI Mini 3 pro and want to film at the location.
I am from the UK and registered my drone in Ireland so it was registered in an EU country which I believe is the equivalent to the AESA a1 and I have company insurance.
Hi Tony,
With new Royal Decree 517/2024, in Spain, it’s mandatory to register your drone even though it’s been already registered in another UE country, to fly in Spain you’ll have to register it again. Read this and learn how to.
Flying in Son Marroig is allowed, it affects an ENP restriction. Read this article to know about ENP (protected natural areas).
And be aware about ZEPA if you fly over this area which is closer to the sea.
If you need further information and processing drone flight permits, consider my flight permit processing service for these cases.
Hello.
Thanks for all the information on your site but im little confused.
Im EU citizen with EASA registered operator, certificate a1/a3, drone class c0 – dji mini 4 pro. https://www.seguridadaerea.gob.es/en/ambitos/drones/registro-de-operador-de-drones-uas
QUOTE “Registration should be carried out in the Member State of residence or where the economic activity takes place, and it is not possible to be registered in more than one State at a time.”
Whether I still need to register to AESA? Btw. i tried as natural person but getting errors – session expired etc. Please help.
What it’s mandatory in Spain, as long as you pilote a drone which obligates you to register, it’s drone registration for everyone, spanish and foreigners, but to register your drone you need to register as a drone operator as a previous step.
This is the “theory” that AESA tell us. Since I’m not spanish I cannot try the way you do it.
What I mean is that if you already registered in any EU country (including Switzerland, Norway, Lichtenstein among others), is enough, you don’t have to register in 2 differents countries.
ENAIRE’s map tells you about flight prohibitions and restrictions in the Spanish aerial framework for drones.
If you operate in a professional or recreational activity, and regardless of the map, if you are piloting an especific type of drone you must be registered in any EU country (including Switzerland, Norway, Lichtenstein among others) as a drone operator.
Find the requirements at the begining of this article:
Thank you for your help.
Everything is clear now. It’s sad that everything in urban areas is “red”. It’s against tourists.
I will be at Cala d’Or but you can’t even start from beach..
Do you have some special secret places that you don’t need to worry and is worth to fly.
Hi Daniel,
The problem to fly a drone in Mallorca is Sierra de Tramuntana.
Normally the coast east has beutiful beaches with less aerial control to fly drones.
Regarding part “Liability insurance covering damage to third parties. With the new RD not all drones are now required to have drone insurance, although I always recommend it.”
Can You give more details on which drones require insurance and for which it is optional ?
Also what is the required insurance coverage ?
Can You give more details on which drones require insurance and for which it is optional ?
As you said, because of the New Royal Decree, the “Insurance thing” for drones changed too, you can find the answer to your question in my article about the New Royal Decree 517/2024 (EASA operations, 4th paragraph).
(Use the translator to translate it this paragraph because my website found some troubles with translations).
Hello.
Thanks for all the information on your site – i need some advice. I have a DJi Neo and want to fly it at the Rafa Nadal Academy for personal photos. Do I need to register this kind of drone?
Thank you for your blog and the information you provide. It really helped me understand the regulations in Spain.
However, I have a question: I’m planning to visit Mallorca soon (in October). I’d also like to take photos there with my drone (DJI Mini 3 Pro). Of course, I’m registered as an operator, have an A1/A3 license, and have insurance.
I’d also like to fly near the Cap de Formentor lighthouse. The ENAIRE map shows that this area is covered by Natura 2000 and ZEPA zones.
I read on the website https://www.caib.es/sites/xarxanatura/es/as_de_drons/ that I only need to complete a declaration of good practices. Could you tell me if it can be submitted electronically? If not, where should I submit it?
All of this is a bit complicated but I’ll try to explan it to you the best I can.
In Sierra de Tramuntana there are 2 areas: ENP (espacios naturales protegidos) and Red Natura 2000, and Red Natura 2000 is lead by 2 staments, autonomic and statal, the autonomic leads the ground, and the statal (ZEPA MARINA) leads the sea. What you read “2. The report is carried out in a Natura 2000 protected area that does not coincide with a protected natural area and is for private use only.
To carry out drone filming for personal use, you must register a declaration of good practice electronically: Responsible declaration of compliance with good practices relating to recreational drone flying outside protected natural areas, or in person at any registration office addressed to the Species Protection Service of the Directorate-General for the Natural Environment and Forest Management. Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment.” that allows you to fly in a recreational mode, it’s for Red Natura 2000 out of ESPACIOS NATURALES PROTEGIDOS areaand Cap De Formentor is inside of this ENP (I hope this is understandable).
So, to fly a drone recreationally at ENP, you need authorisation, to get it you need to fullfill this statement of good practice you mentioned and afterwards send it to ENP. This form you must submit either online or by post. As you do not have Spanish citizenship, you cannot have an electronic certificate with which to fill in this document online: you have two options, either send it by post or have a representative do it for you (I could do this for you). Please contact me by email at javier@javiergomiz.com and we can discuss it further.
Hola! 👋🏼 Whatsapp solo para solicitar presupuestos y trabajos con drones 😃👍🏼
Si tienes alguna duda sobre drones, por favor, házmela llegar a través de un comentario en el blog de mi web (https://javiergomiz.com), en el artículo que te haya generado la duda.
53 Responses
Hola Javier! How are you?
Thank you for your article! I do have a question though and maybe you can help me out!
I’m planning on a canyoning trip to Mallorca in the last week of December and I want to fly with my drone during those activities. All the canyons are in the protected naturel area on the northwest side of the island.
I do have my A1-A3 license and my drone (DJI mini 3) is registered by the EASA (or the Dutch/European equivalent). My question is; do I need permission for a drone below 250 grams to fly in those areas, cause I can’t find anything about that online, and if I need permission, how do I apply for that?
Looking forward to your answer!
Hasta luego,
Wietse Walinga
Hi, Wietse,
First of all, thanks to express your comment through here.
And, answering your question: you can fly a drone in towns and villages in Mallorca if you have a drone under 250 grams, as long as you don’t fly higher than 20 meters, but you DO need a permit to fly a drone in a protected natural area, at least in Mallorca, regardless of weight of your drone.
First of all, as I said at the beginning of my article, you need to check ENAIRE DRONES’s website.
Write the place where the activity will be released and depending on the area, you might have different warnings:
Check the place or let me know exactly the point where you want to fly and I’ll be able to provide you a better accurate help.
I’ll be happy to help you out.
Thanks, again, to take Mallorca’s wildlife into consideration and respect when asking for help and wanting to fly under the law.
Best,
Hi Javier,
Thanks for your reply, really appreciate it!
I checked the ENAIRES Drone website and I have drawn the canyons in a map and put the map from ENAIRES on top of it. You can see it via this link: https://postimg.cc/crRBMXHy
As I can see, all of them are in either one or multiple restricted area’s and it states that I should contact the local goverment (?) Illes Balears and Air Staff (CECAF). Is there a way how to do that as a foreigner? How do I apply for a permit?
This is the list of canyons we’re going to explore:
-Gorg Blau i Sa Fosca
-Na Mora
-Biniaraix
-Coanegra
-Valldemossa
-Guix
-Diners
-Esmolar
More info on the exact locations of the canyons, you can find here https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/lieu/02098/Islas-Baleares.html
Thank you once again,
Wietse
Hi Wietse,
I’ve checking all the locations and the restrictions that you’ll see on Enaire map:
These are the 3 assumptions you’ll find, indistinctly, for all the locations you have told me about. For CECAF and Espacios Naturales Protegidos, you’ll have to apply with one request per site. ZEPA is enough just once.
Now you have the ways to contact them, hopefully you’be able to get them.
Good luck and let me know if you need more help.
Cheers,
Hi Javier,
Thank you one more time for the information. I’ve sent email with required documents to the 3 organisations. From CECAF i’ve got a reply that they’ll take care of it in the next 10 business days, which is fine.
From MITECO (Espacios Naturales Protegidos) I got this reply. I guess the first link is for the canyoning activity and the second one to hand in several documents electronically. But what documents do I need to upload?
Dispone información de cómo solicitar autorización para realizar actividades en espacios naturales protegidos de las Illes Balears en la siguiente página web:
https://www.caib.es/sites/espaisnaturalsprotegits/es/com_sollicitar_una_autoritzacio-22089/
Disponemos de un trámite telemático para realizar la solicitud y para presentar los documentos necesarios:
https://www.caib.es/seucaib/es/tramites/tramite/2876094
La documentación que debe presentarse es la siguiente:
– Copia del DNI, CIF,
– Memoria explicativa de la actividad
– Solicitud firmada
Cheers, Wietse
Hi Wietse,
You almost got it!
For all kind of drone activities in “espacios naturales protegidos” go to the following link: https://www.caib.es/sites/espaisnaturalsprotegits/es/com_sollicitar_una_autoritzacio-22089/ –> You need to fulfill this 2 documents (Modelo declaración buenas prácticas.pdf
Modelo solicitud autorización actividades en los espacios naturales protegidos.pdf).
Then take this 2 documents already fulfilled + your ID + your flight plan, this is “Memoria explicativa de la actividad” (my advice for this is: go to GOOGLE EARTH and do a screenshot of the location with geo-coordenates)
And the second link you told me (https://www.caib.es/seucaib/es/tramites/tramite/2876094) is to send all these files. Kinda register way
For canyoning activity you must fulfill this: https://www.caib.es/sistrafront/sistrafront/inicio?language=es&modelo=MA0004ENBBAR&version=1, I dind’t know you need to register a canyoning activity though.
Everything should be alright then.
Cheers,
Javier
Hi Javier,
Thank you! Everything is very clear now! I got the right forms filled in. I even got the permission from CECAF today! Which is really quick I Think. So thank you for your help!
I do have one problem though, which I can’t figure out. I need to upload the files via the button”Acceso al trámite telemático”, but then I need to log in with Cl@ve. I don’t have that, as I’m dutch. And as far as I can see, I can’t register without an DNI/NIE, which I also don’t have.
Do you have any idea or tips on how to get through that system?
Cheers,
Wietse
Hi Wietse,
I’m happy you could do it with CECAF, yes, they are very fast, they work very good.
After checking it, I noticed you cannot register documents through that way because it’s just for balearics citizens, that’s why you are asked for ClavePin. Never mind.
Try this general register way:
1. Click here https://reg.redsara.es/#login
2. Choose UE citizen
3. Choose your country and you should be able to go through the register
Hope it’ll be fine now.
Let me know.
Cheers,
Javier
Hello Javier.
1 -have you ever applied for and received any permission to fly?
2 – Mirador de el colomer. it’s probably in a military zone. There is only a phone number in the app. Try to call for permission? is there any form also and email address for them?
Hi Leezek,
Thanks for contacting me.
Yes, I’ve got several permissions from this Military Aerodrome. They are cool in terms of granting flying permits.
Write them an email adress letting them know your purpose with this form fullfilled and attached. Send it to this email adress.
Don’t forget to unblock the GEO zone in the DJI app too, otherwise your drone won’t move up.
Thanks for respecting and worrying about flying legally in Mallorca
Cheers!
Looking to flying at formentor and col femenia and sol colobra I have a DJI mini 2se and a European permit I see these areas are in a protected zone who should I contact for permission to fly it will be be recreational and around 9 mins each area of people in my cycling group
Hi Chris, thanks for your comment.
The answer of your question is in the conversation I had in comments with another user called Wietse.
Read it and check your answer is there! Let me know if not, and if you have further questions.
If you are interested in the world of drones and want to keep up to date on developments, news and regulatory changes I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter.
Bests,
Javier
Hi Javier,
Do you know if it is possible to request authorization to fly if the drone and pilot are licensed outside of the EU? I have a registered drone (> 250g) and a Canadian license.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Saludos,
Kristian
Hi Kristian,
As far as I read this EASA’s article about Non-EU residents and plan to visit and operate a drone in an EASA Member State, I think it will be a bit complicated, but not impossible:
“If you are a resident of a non-EASA Member State and plan to visit and operate a drone in an EASA Member State, you need to register as a drone operator with the National Aviation Authority of the first EASA state you intend to operate from.
Once you are registered in your host EASA Member State, this will be valid across the rest of EASA Member States. You don’t need to register in another EASA Member State again.
You also need to train and pass the drone pilot’s certificate online exam and get the European certificate in any EASA Member State. Some National Aviation Authorities offer the training and exam in English.
And of course, you need to comply with the European Drone regulations.”
1. Here is the link to get the instructions to register as a drone operator, honestly, I don’t for Non-EU residents how it will go, try it!.
2. If you could register as a drone operator, next step: here is the link to subscribe to do the train and get the drone pilot’s certificate online exam and get the European certificate which you need to have since you are and Non-EU residents.
If you have further questions, you can contact AESA and EASA
Anyway, I contacted and asked them for you. If I get any other answer that I gave you so far, I’ll refresh this answer and let you know. And if you find out how to solve this, I’d appreciate you let me know through here so we can help other users out.
If you are interested in the world of drones and want to keep up to date on new developments, news and regulatory changes I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter
Bests,
Javier
Hello,
I found your email address whilst searching for help in determining where I could legally fly my <250 gms. DJI Mini 3 Pro. On the Island of Mallorca.
I have, I believe all the correct documents required. EASA Operator registration + proof of completed online training in the A1/A3 open sub category. Also liability insurance with Coverdrone.
I wish to know if I can fly legally in the area I will be staying, which is Santa Ponca?
Using Dronecast mapping It looked like I would be just west of the airport NFZ. However I have just learned I need to use Enaires mapping. On checking this map it appears there is another restriction which covers part of the airport zone & the area I will be staying in. However further west looks like I should be ok to fly.
Can you advise on the restriction area which is overlaid on Santa Ponca? I am only wishing to fly as a recreation flyer. Do I need to obtain permission to fly in this area. If so how do I apply & to which authority?
I also note there are many areas close to my vacation hotel which are restricted due to birds & national parks. As I like walking, as well as flying my drone. My question is as above, do I need permission & if so how to request it. The last thing I would wish to do is not follow ALL the rules & guidance for safe & legal flying of my drone.
Any advise you can offer me would be much appreciated.
Regards
David Small.
Hi David,
Thanks for writing your question through this blog.
Yes, in Spain the most validapp to know where to fly legally is ENAIRE DRONES, only that.
I recommend you to read this article too.
In Santa Ponça area I can see 3 types of restrictions for drone flying:
“Yellow rectangle”: Areas restricted to photographic flight. To get the flight permission you must contact to this email. They’ll give you intructions to follow.
“Red area”: It’s a controlled traffic region. It’s the aviation security zone at Palma airport. It’s a critic zone, where to get the permits you will need a lot of paperwork. You should forget about flying in this area since you told you just have A1/A3 license.
Recreational activities are not allowed in controlled airspace (CTR) and FIZ zones, and will only be possible from infrastructures designed for UAS flight, and whose manager has coordinated the conditions with the air traffic service provider (ATS).
To flight here you would need:
The conduct of operations in this area is subject to a number of requirements:
Coordinated aeronautical safety study (EAS) and coordination of operations with the Air Traffic Service Provider (ATSP). These types of operations require a specific operational risk assessment and mitigation (EARO) coordinated with the ATSP as a means of clarifying the safety of the operation to be conducted. An EARO validated by the ATSP is evidence of coordination of an EAS.
I will write about this in future articles.
ATS (air traffic services) flight plan and ATC clearance or communication to AFIS (aerodrome flight information) personnel. To comply with RD 1180/2018 UAS operations in controlled airspace and/or FIZ must:
Submit a flight plan (specific guidance) for ATS (FPL message). It should be indicated that it is an unmanned flight.
Obtain prior authorisation from the ATS or communication to AFIS of the flights to be performed.
“violet area with a blue stroke”: It’s an Environmental zone. The overflight of natural areas will always be under the authorisation of the manager of the protected area, always complying with the established restrictions and legislation.
In the ENAIRE DRONES map, these areas are reflected in the layers “protected natural areas” and “special protection areas for birds”.
To get the permit download this document and send it to especies@dgmedinatural.caib.es
I hope I could help you out with your issue and you’ll be able to fly in Mallorca.
Let me know if you need more info.
If you want to be updated with all related to drones world I suggest you to subscribe to my newsletter.
Bests,
Javier
Hi Javier,
Many thanks for your very detailed answer to my “guidance” question.
Can I trouble you with a request for a little more detail?
As I am very new to drone flying & I will be 79 years old tomorrow, I must point out that I am not the quickest when finding my way around the internet.
As with the UK regulations, Spain’s airports are NFZ’s. So I have no intention of flying within those areas.
The restricted zone which covers Santa Ponca is a photography restricted area. Reading through your blog my understanding of this zone requires permission to fly & take photos/videos. Am I correct in thinking that flying is ok providing I don’t use the camera at all? ( I could gain more practice with flight control whilst staying below 20 mtrs.? )
The restricted zone ends a few hundred yards to the West of the hotel I will be staying at. This area suggests there are no restrictions in or around the towns. Am I correct in thinking this area is a safe place in which to fly? Providing of course I observe the general rules in the open category.
The forms you have mentioned are of course in Spanish. I am trying to translate them in to English. Which is proving difficult for me. So I will have to ask friends for help in this matter.
Regards
David
Hello Javier, Further to my last message. I did email cecaf earlier, the response was that I should refer to an attached document. However there was no attachment just a footnote which in Spanish which read as follows:-
Thank you for your question. This
Centre is responsible for the subjects published in the AIC 05/20 (AIP SPAIN), hereby attached. For other matters, please contact ENAIRE.
Best regards.
—–Mensaje original—
De: Dave Small
[mailto:davesmall09@gmail.com]
Enviado el: martes, 27 de febrero de
2024 23:47
Para: CECAF
Asunto: Drone flying.
ATENCIÓN: Este mensaje proviene de fuera del Ministerio de Defensa. Por favor, no pulse en enlaces ni abra archivos adjuntos a menos que reconozca al remitente y sepa que el contenido es seguro.
I think the last paragraph was about following links?
So they did not seem to direct me to a form to apply for permission. Would that be because they don’t give permission to recreational flyers?
I have as yet to try to obtain permission for National parks & protected bird zones.
Regards
David
Hi David,
It’s correct, you can fly in this photographic flight restricted area as long as you don’t take any picture and video, and always providing the general rules in the open category.
Watch the translation of the document here
Bests,
Javier
Hello again Javier,
I have been struggling with the form for flying in a restricted photography area.
1. Is it unlikely that permission will be given to me to take videos/photos?
2. I assume I have to request permission, even just to do a few basic flights for practice purposes?
3. If the answer to the above is YES, can you please offer help in filling out the form?
Apart from my personal details the remaining questions I find hard to think what to enter. E.G. I will not know my take off locations until I arrive there in May ’24. Or how to find the 1/2500 map & the required details, is it just the sheet No required? (Sheet 0698-3?).
Would it perhaps be easier for me to forget the area around my hotel location & travel Westerly for a few hundred meters into the grey area for “free flying”? this area must surely have a few places with scenic views & walks?
I will look at the locations of protected areas in that region in a day or so. then decide if I need to apply for authority to fly within those areas.
I will take your advice on the actions I should follow.
Regards
David
Hi David,
Answering your questions orderly:
1. I don’t see why you wouldn’t be given the permission since you told me you have an operator registration + proof of completed online training in the A1/A3 open sub category.
2. The photographic flight restricted area (ZRVF) permit is just required for pilots who want to take photos and film, so if you just want to fly you don’t need to aply for it.
Another option if you don’t know the area where you will fly, it’s when you come to Mallorca, use ENAIRE DRONES on your phone and check where you are and move to the “grey area” and fly.
Hope I could help you, David.
Javier
Hi Javier. Thank your for this helpful article.
Can you describe purpose of circular zones in southern Mallorca with description:
“ALERTA: Se encuentra en el área de seguridad de una actividad de Ultraligero. ”
They are marked red but without information that flight with a drone is forbidden or restricted somehow. What’s “una actividad de Ultraligero”? Can you elaborate about it?
Hi Jarek,
This is an area where ultralight planes fly, so to get a flight permit you must call those phone number which appear when pressing the area you want to fly in ENAIRE map, in the warning square at the left, and coordinate your drone flight with this aerodrome in order to avoid any accident.
I hope I could help you.
Bests,
Javier
Thanks. Hard to call anybody for Son Alberti (Llucmajor) zone as there is no phone number. But ok, I understand.
The most biggest problem is probably the bird protection ZEPA areas as they are almost everywhere. And it seems non-commercial flights are prohibited regardless of the birds’ breeding periods.
Source:
https://www.miteco.gob.es/en/biodiversidad/temas/biodiversidad-marina/espacios-marinos-protegidos/red-natura-2000-ambito-marino/bm_emprot_rednat2000_marino_vuelo_drones.html
I see
2.1. Procedure for flights for recreational purposes
The flight for personal use with recreational purposes of drones is prohibited in the ZEPA spaces managed by the General Administration of the State
Hi Jarmal,
You are right, flying drones for personal recreational use is prohibited in ZEPA areas managed by the General State Administration and “regardless of the birds’ breeding period” as you said. I don’t understand either that but these are the rules here in Mallorca.
Here are the phone number to contact the aerodrome:
Contacto: TEL: +34-629 415 605;TEL: +34-971 242 626;TEL: +34-971 271 210
The most difficult thing is the ZEPA area though.
Javier
Then which ZEPA zones are allowed to fly in recreational flights after submitting form described in chapter “Coastal or marine littoral ZEPA area” and which are forbidden with no exceptions ?
Hi Jaroslaw,
Thanks for your interesting question.
The flight for personal recreational use of drones is PROHIBITED (with no exceptions) in ZEPA areas managed by the General State Administration. The rest of the coast not influenced by ZEPA is free to fly (check for another type of restictions out before flying)
Check this article out for further info. (it’s not translated into spanish, sorry)
So if you want to fly in any of these areas, take into consideration paying for flying the drone.
I hope it helps,
Javier
Yes. Thanks. By the way – good article 🙂
Hi Jaroslaw,
Thanks for your words. I love drones and help people to fly safely when they travel and fly around Spain.
It’s clear to me you love drones and if you want to stay tuned with all news and offers of drones world I’ll invite you to subscribe to my newsletter 🙂
Good luck with your flights in Mallorca if you come over.
Javier
Hi Javier. I have just purchased my first drone. I bought the DJI Mini 4 Pro, 249g, fly more package. I’m resident on the East Coast of Mallorca and my usage will be recreational filming.
Can you advise what registrations or licences I will need for this, including the appropriate forms and email addresses to send them to.
Also, what suggestions can you offer, for me to test fly and get orientated with the functions of the drone.
Best regards
Peter
Hi Peter,
Congrats for your purchase! Answering your questions, check these articles out:
https://javiergomiz.com/en/unlicensed-drones/
https://javiergomiz.com/en/fly-drones-mallorca/
I think you’ll get everything you need in them.
Anyway I encourage you to check and read some articles I wrote, they are very didactics and interesting for someone who wants to start piloting drones.
Let me know if you have further questions.
To be updated to anything about drones I recommend you to subscribe to my newsletter.
Bests,
Javier
Hello Javier.
I send email with question about fflying by Mirador de es Colomer. I used link wich I got from you but I got an answeer:
”
Infodefensafas
12:32 (5 godzin temu)
do mnie
En contestación a su correo electrónico abajo referenciado, recibido en el Servicio de Información Administrativa del Ministerio de Defensa, en el que solicita información sobre el vuelo de drones, le informamos que la competencia sobre dichas operaciones aéreas, recae en ENAIRE, proveedor de servicios de navegación aérea y de información aeronáutica en España, entidad pública empresarial dependiente del Ministerio de Transportes, Movilidad y Agenda Urbana.
Adjunto le remitimos enlace de dicha entidad, donde ENAIRE, pone a disposición de todos los ciudadanos la aplicación ENAIRE Drones, con toda la información necesaria, para la operación que usted refiere.
Servicios online (enaire.es)
Asimismo, puede ponerse en contacto con el siguiente organismo de este Ministerio:
Sección de Espacio Aéreo
Servicio de Información Aeronáutica Militar (MILAIS)
Cuartel General del Ejército del Aire
C/ Romero Robledo nº 8
28071 – Madrid
Teléfono 915034227/ 915033329
Correo Electrónico: MILAIS@mde.es
so they control this zone or should I write to the address above?
or on Enaire website in drone tab there is an option to send an email, I don’t know
Hi Leszek,
Which e-mail address did you write to in order to apply for the flight permit?
Bests,
Javier
infodefensafas@mde.es
after clicking on the provided link/reference to the website, there is an email option in the contact tab on the website.
Hi Leszek,
If you click on the red circle, in Enaire map, the info you’ll get is the next one:
ALERTA: Se encuentra en el área de seguridad de la Base militar de hidroaviones MALLORCA/Pollensa , LEPO.
NO permitido el vuelo a drones excepto coordinación con el Base militar de hidroaviones.
Contacto: TEL: +34-971 865 450
Don’t forget to ask for permission to ENP which is very important too:
Nombre: Serra de Tramuntana.
Datos NO AIP. Fuente de la información: MITECO.
Se encuentra en un espacio natural protegido. Consulte posibles restricciones y/o permisos específicos del espacio protegido con el responsable de su gestión: Contacte con Illes Balears
The contact for ENP is in my article.
I hope it helps,
Javier
Hello Javier 🙂
I just found you web and I noticed that you were so polite and answer some questions to people which are planning to visit Mallorca. I have faith, if I asked you very politely, that maybe you can also help me with my question regarding visit Mallorca with my drone 🙂
I am only starting to fly with drone so I have not big experiences and I got little lost between all the documents written in Spain … And there is so much colors in Enaire map so I am not sure if I understand it correctly.
I have DJI mini 3 pro. 249 gram with camera I have classic licence from my country for only open category A1-A3.
I would like to visit, fly and make a few pictures on these places:
Sa Calobra
beach Caló del Moro
Embalse de cuber
Far de Formentor
I was interested also about Platja es trenc – here I can see red circle, so I suppose I cannot fly there. We are using our drone as our personal photographer also 🙂 So I was thinking about taking some pictures of us on this beach. Do you know if is there any acceptance for example if we will fly only 10 meters(or less) above our heads to just take pictures of us? Do you think this will be possible also on other places mentioned in my list? 🙂 Sorry, maybe these are silly questions, we my only this was to Dominican Republic so far. There I just fill formaule, sent to aviacion and in a few days I got permit.
I do not want to break laws and I want to have everything officially confirmed.
Thank you so much for your time in case you read this into the end.
Zuzana
Hi Zuzana,
Sorry for the late reply but latest days are being very hectic!
Well, I’ll break down all the places you want to fly your drone depending on the locations, and I`ll let you know the flight permits you need:
Beach Caló del Moro: You need to contact by phone: TEL: +34-629 415 605, +34 971 242 626, +34 971 271 210
Sa Calobra, Embalse de Cúber and Far de Formentor: You’ll need to fill ENP’s application for NON-professional flights as I say in the reference article. Sorry about the articles wich are written in spanish, they are not available in english.
Platja es trenc: You need to ask for permit to ENP (like Sa Calobra, Embalse de Cúber and Far de Formentor) plus ZEPA areas. ZEPA coastal area is managed by General State Administration, and since your flight is for personal use and recreational purposes your flight in this area is prohibited. Flying in ZEPA coastal areas is just for professional purposes.
And answering to “Do you know if is there any acceptance for example if we will fly only 10 meters(or less) above our heads to just take pictures of us? Do you think this will be possible also on other places mentioned in my list?”, sorry but it doesn’t exist this special permit for low height flights.
In my web’s articles I try to do my best and explain the way you can apply for every flight permits in order for you to do it yourself, but in the case you experiment any trouble with it, I have a management service to process flight permits.
Depending on when your trip will be, you’ll be on time or not to apply for each permit.
For instance, those in charge of answering and accepting ENP requests are taking almost 3 months (there are a lot of applicants) and I imagine that you want to come to Mallorca earlier than these 3 months, so unfortunately I think that flying in these places is going to be almost impossible with such as small periode of time to apply for flight permits.
I hope all this helps you.
Bests,
Javier
With the new rules, how do you contact make a request from the Ministry of Interior within 5 days? The electronic tools seem to require Cl@ve.. not sure if I can use this from Canada.
I see there is a manual PDF under: https://sede.mir.gob.es/opencms/export/sites/default/es/procedimientos-y-servicios/comunicacion-de-vuelo-de-aeronave/index.html
But I then need to drop that off in person, which won’t be 5 days in advance.
Looking at ENAIRE, you can actually fly in quite a few spots in Barcelona under 45m under the new rules with just the Ministry of Interior approval and the standard things training, insurance, fireproof plate etc..
I know this is super new.. but I am going to Spain in 4 weeks and am trying to figure this out.
Hi Matthew.
I did put in contact Ministerio del Interior for your question, as soon as they answer me I’ll let you konw.
And with the new rules, don’t forget about drone registration at Ministerio del Interior too!!
Meanwhile I recommend you to read these 2 articles:
https://javiergomiz.com/en/where-flying-drones-spain/
https://javiergomiz.com/en/open-category-civil-drones/
Bests,
Javier
Hey,
I have a wedding coming up at Son Marroig in Mallorca on September 16th this year, I have a DJI Mini 3 pro and want to film at the location.
I am from the UK and registered my drone in Ireland so it was registered in an EU country which I believe is the equivalent to the AESA a1 and I have company insurance.
Would I be able to fly in this location?
Thanks
Hi Tony,
With new Royal Decree 517/2024, in Spain, it’s mandatory to register your drone even though it’s been already registered in another UE country, to fly in Spain you’ll have to register it again.
Read this and learn how to.
Flying in Son Marroig is allowed, it affects an ENP restriction. Read this article to know about ENP (protected natural areas).
And be aware about ZEPA if you fly over this area which is closer to the sea.
If you need further information and processing drone flight permits, consider my flight permit processing service for these cases.
I hope it helps,
Javier
Hello.
Thanks for all the information on your site but im little confused.
Im EU citizen with EASA registered operator, certificate a1/a3, drone class c0 – dji mini 4 pro.
https://www.seguridadaerea.gob.es/en/ambitos/drones/registro-de-operador-de-drones-uas
QUOTE “Registration should be carried out in the Member State of residence or where the economic activity takes place, and it is not possible to be registered in more than one State at a time.”
Whether I still need to register to AESA? Btw. i tried as natural person but getting errors – session expired etc. Please help.
Hi Daniel,
What it’s mandatory in Spain, as long as you pilote a drone which obligates you to register, it’s drone registration for everyone, spanish and foreigners, but to register your drone you need to register as a drone operator as a previous step.
This is the “theory” that AESA tell us. Since I’m not spanish I cannot try the way you do it.
I’ll report it and let you know.
Thanks to share this issue.
Bests,
Javier
Thank you for your replay.
If i want to fly only in “white area” (enaire app) registration is not required ?
Hi Daniel,
What I mean is that if you already registered in any EU country (including Switzerland, Norway, Lichtenstein among others), is enough, you don’t have to register in 2 differents countries.
ENAIRE’s map tells you about flight prohibitions and restrictions in the Spanish aerial framework for drones.
If you operate in a professional or recreational activity, and regardless of the map, if you are piloting an especific type of drone you must be registered in any EU country (including Switzerland, Norway, Lichtenstein among others) as a drone operator.
Find the requirements at the begining of this article:
https://javiergomiz.com/en/drone-operator-registration/
I hope it helps and makes it clear
Javier
Thank you for your help.
Everything is clear now. It’s sad that everything in urban areas is “red”. It’s against tourists.
I will be at Cala d’Or but you can’t even start from beach..
Do you have some special secret places that you don’t need to worry and is worth to fly.
Hi Daniel,
The problem to fly a drone in Mallorca is Sierra de Tramuntana.
Normally the coast east has beutiful beaches with less aerial control to fly drones.
Good luck and enjoy!
Javier
hi,
Regarding part “Liability insurance covering damage to third parties. With the new RD not all drones are now required to have drone insurance, although I always recommend it.”
Can You give more details on which drones require insurance and for which it is optional ?
Also what is the required insurance coverage ?
Hi Jaroslaw,
Answering your questions:
Can You give more details on which drones require insurance and for which it is optional ?
As you said, because of the New Royal Decree, the “Insurance thing” for drones changed too, you can find the answer to your question in my article about the New Royal Decree 517/2024 (EASA operations, 4th paragraph).
(Use the translator to translate it this paragraph because my website found some troubles with translations).
Also what is the required insurance coverage ?
Check my article The 5 requirements to fly a drone in Spain (Drone insurance paragraph)
I hope it helps,
Javier
Hello.
Thanks for all the information on your site – i need some advice. I have a DJi Neo and want to fly it at the Rafa Nadal Academy for personal photos. Do I need to register this kind of drone?
Hi there,
I hope it helps.
Feel free to buy me a coffee to help me keep this site alive and then help others like I did with you.
https://javiergomiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/support-javiergomiz.webp
Javier
Hi Javier,
Thank you for your blog and the information you provide. It really helped me understand the regulations in Spain.
However, I have a question: I’m planning to visit Mallorca soon (in October). I’d also like to take photos there with my drone (DJI Mini 3 Pro). Of course, I’m registered as an operator, have an A1/A3 license, and have insurance.
I’d also like to fly near the Cap de Formentor lighthouse. The ENAIRE map shows that this area is covered by Natura 2000 and ZEPA zones.
I read on the website https://www.caib.es/sites/xarxanatura/es/as_de_drons/ that I only need to complete a declaration of good practices. Could you tell me if it can be submitted electronically? If not, where should I submit it?
For the ZEPA zone, you provided instructions on how to complete and submit the application. However, I read on the website https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/biodiversidad/temas/biodiversidad-marina/espacios-marinos-protegidos/red-natura-2000-ambito-marino/bm_emprot_rednat2000_marino_vuelo_drones.html that recreational flights are excluded and will not be considered. Am I understanding this correctly?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Hi Kuba,
All of this is a bit complicated but I’ll try to explan it to you the best I can.
In Sierra de Tramuntana there are 2 areas: ENP (espacios naturales protegidos) and Red Natura 2000, and Red Natura 2000 is lead by 2 staments, autonomic and statal, the autonomic leads the ground, and the statal (ZEPA MARINA) leads the sea. What you read “2. The report is carried out in a Natura 2000 protected area that does not coincide with a protected natural area and is for private use only.
To carry out drone filming for personal use, you must register a declaration of good practice electronically: Responsible declaration of compliance with good practices relating to recreational drone flying outside protected natural areas, or in person at any registration office addressed to the Species Protection Service of the Directorate-General for the Natural Environment and Forest Management. Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment.” that allows you to fly in a recreational mode, it’s for Red Natura 2000 out of ESPACIOS NATURALES PROTEGIDOS areaand Cap De Formentor is inside of this ENP (I hope this is understandable).
So, to fly a drone recreationally at ENP, you need authorisation, to get it you need to fullfill this statement of good practice you mentioned and afterwards send it to ENP. This form you must submit either online or by post. As you do not have Spanish citizenship, you cannot have an electronic certificate with which to fill in this document online: you have two options, either send it by post or have a representative do it for you (I could do this for you). Please contact me by email at javier@javiergomiz.com and we can discuss it further.
Best regards