The Enaire Drones map is the main, most complete and legally valid tool for flying any type of drone in Spain.
It details all the areas and zones that require a permit or prior notification to fly a UAS in Spanish territory.
The Enaire Drones map, the zones and rules of drone flight, especially after the last change in the regulations that was made through Royal Decree 517/2024, are in continuous change and evolution, having, in my opinion, taken a more restrictive but at the same time more professional turn.
One example of a positive change in this latest update has been to decrease the radius of action of the dreaded ‘CTR zones’ (the main battle horse of drone pilots), as these zones require more intricate logistics when applying for a permit to fly.
Areas of the Enaire Drones map with flight restrictions
Below I will list all the possible restrictions you will find when consulting the Enaire Drones map, I will help you to interpret each one of them and I will detail the information you will need in order to apply for the flight permit.
It is very important for you to know that there are national regulations, i.e. that they affect all parts of Spain, as well as regional regulations.
As I live in Mallorca, I provide you with all the information about the Balearic Islands as I have them very close at hand and I know a lot more about what you need to know to fly drones in Mallorca.
The ENAIRE Drones map is an indispensable tool for finding out the restrictions applicable to drone flights in Spain.
If you have any problems with requesting drone flight permits, I remind you that I have a drone flight permit consultancy, management and processing service. Please contact me for more information.
Below, I list and explain the most common restrictions you will find on the Enaire Drones map, along with the solutions and contacts needed to manage these restrictions:
Controlled Airspace (CTR,FIZ and ATZ) on the Enaire Drones map
- Description: Areas near airports where drone flight is restricted due to manned air traffic management. These areas ensure the safety of manned and unmanned aircraft.
In the yellow zones you can fly freely up to a certain altitude depending on whether it is an airport, airfield or heliport.
To fly in the red zone you have to fulfil a number of requirements (more info below) - What you can do:
- In NON-free flight zones you must request a permit from ENAIRE at least 21 days in advance.
- Flying without a specific permit is strictly prohibited in areas where permits are required. Heavy fines.
- Contact: Through info@enaire.es or telephone 91 321 20 00.
More information on what I have told you about in controlled airspace areas (ap 2.2 and 2.3).
Protected Natural Spaces | ENP
- Description: Areas designated to protect biodiversity, such as national parks or wetlands. Flying drones can disrupt the ecological balance.
- What you can do:
- Check with the managers of the natural area for possible exceptions. Check here for information on flights in ENP in the Balearic Islands.
- Avoid flying without specific permission in these areas.
- Fill in the official form to request permission to fly your drone in ENP and send it electronically.
- Contact: If you are NOT a RESIDENT in Spain or do not have a Spanish ID card, you will NOT be able to send it telematically, so you will have to hand it in at the offices of the corresponding park or protected natural area (in the Balearic Islands).
Special Bird Protection Areas (ZEPA)
- Description: Areas designated to protect biodiversity, such as national parks or wetlands. Flying drones can disrupt the ecological balance so recreational flying in this area is PROHIBITED, so you will only be able to fly your drone for professional tasks (i.e. for a fee).
- What you can do:
- Avoid flying without specific permission in these areas.
- Consult the ZEPA Area in the whole of Spain
- Fill in the official form to request permission to fly your drone in SPA areas.
- Contact: If you are NOT a RESIDENT in Spain or if you do not have a Spanish DNI you will NOT be able to send it electronically, you must send it by email to especies@dgmedinatural.caib.es
Photographic flight restricted areas | ZRVF
- Description: A restricted drone photography zone is an area where regulations limit or prohibit the capture of aerial images due to safety, privacy, environmental protection, or specific legal restrictions. Requests that are not made at least 15 business days prior to the requested flight date will not be considered, and we reserve the right (in some cases) not to respond.
- Military bases and embassies.
- National parks and protected areas.
- National security events or drone air shows.
- What you can do:
- Fill in the document correctly and return it by email to the Centre for Cartographic Studies.
- Contact: cecaf@ea.mde.es
Population centres, recreational and residential areas
- Description: Flying in cities or residential areas is quite regulated to protect the safety of people and property (especially after the latest change in RD 517/294). To fly in these areas it is mandatory to notify the Ministry of Interior at least 5 days in advance.
- What you can do:
- Make a prior notification to the Ministry of the Interior
- In urban areas apply, in addition to the notification to the Ministry of Interior, for special authorisations for filming or specific works if necessary.
- Use drones with advanced security systems and notify local authorities.
- Contact: Fill in the document and send it telematically. Persons NOT RESIDENT in Spain or without a Spanish DNI will NOT be able to submit it telematically, they will have to fill it in manually and hand it in at any registry office of the General Administration of the State.
Temporary Restriction Zones (NOTAM, Notification to Airmen)
- Description: Temporary restrictions established for events, air shows or emergencies that temporarily affect airspace. In many cases, notification to the Ministry of Interior is also required.
- What you can do:
- Check the updated NOTAMs before each flight.
- Adjust your flight plan to try to avoid these areas.
- Check the date and flight of the NOTAM carefully as it may be that during the day it is only active for certain hours, the rest of the time you may be able to fly.
- Contact: ENAIRE website for NOTAM and SNPDRON portal (sede.mir.gob.es) and consult the Enaire Drones map information box.
Compliance and Security
Always consult the ENAIRE Drones map before planning a flight. Respect these restrictions and make the corresponding notifications to the Ministry of the Interior to avoid penalties and ensure the safety of airspace and people on the ground.
If something is not clear to you in this article do not hesitate to ask me, and if you want to make any contribution to help us improve it is always welcome, just write it in the comments.
