Management of drone permits in Spain

The management of drone flight permits in Spain can be cumbersome and complicated for many of you, you don’t have time to do it or you simply prefer someone else to manage it for you. You are in the right place.

Drones are a very powerful tool used in various areas, from photography and video to infrastructure inspection, precision agriculture, etc… However, in Spain, the use of drones is regulated by a series of regulations and laws that seek to guarantee safety, protect privacy and avoid aerial accidents.

Through this article you will have access to advice, management, processing and finally obtaining flight permits throughout Spain. We will talk about the current regulations, flight restrictions for drones, the need to apply for permits and how I can help you with the management of drone flight permits in Spain so that you can fly legally and safely.

Current drone regulations in Spain

In Spain, the use of drones is regulated by the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA), which reports to the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda.

This entity establishes a series of regulations that must be followed by all drone operators, whether professional or recreational. Since the entry into force of the European regulation on drones (EU Regulation 2019/947), the rules for flying drones in Spain have become clearer and more homogeneous across the continent, but there are still nuances at national level.

If you would like to request information about applying for drone flight permits in Spain, you can do so by filling in the form below. You will need a Google account to do this; if you do not have one, you can also contact me, Javier Gómiz, to request the information.

Drone flight categories

Drones in Spain are classified according to their weight and type of operation. The categories are as follows:

• Open Category: For low-risk flights, such as recreational flights or those using small drones. No licence is required (although I personally always recommend at least obtaining the minimum licence to fly a drone: A1/A3), but the operator must respect airspace restrictions.core/list-ite
• Specific Categories STS-01 and STS-02: For higher-risk flights, such as commercial or professional operations. In these cases, a risk assessment must be carried out and, in many instances, specific permits must be obtained.
• Certified Category: For flights with larger drones or in more complex conditions, such as those used in rescue missions or high-risk professional activities.

Flight restrictions and the need for permits

In Spain, not all drone flights are free. There are a number of flight restrictions that require operators to apply for specific permits. Some of the main restrictions include:

• Prohibited and Restricted Areas: There are areas where drones cannot fly under any circumstances, such as around airports, military installations, national parks, residential areas or areas with a lot of aerial activity.
• Maximum Altitude: The regulations establish a maximum flight altitude of 120 metres above ground level, unless specific permission is obtained to operate at a higher altitude.
• Distance to People and Property: In many situations, drones cannot fly near people or property without specific permission. A minimum safety distance must be maintained, especially in urban or crowded areas.
• Night Flights: Night flights also require special authorisation.
• Controlled flight zones (CTR): In these zones, drone flights require special permits due to air traffic.

Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to severe fines, ranging from light financial penalties to very heavy fines. Authorities can impose fines of up to €225,000, depending on the seriousness of the offence. You can check the amount of the fines at the end of my article drones without a licence.

If you are a drone operator and do not follow current regulations, the consequences can be serious. Fines for flying a drone illegally are high, and in some cases, can include seizure of equipment.

What to do if you don’t have a permit to fly?

Mi servicio de gestión y tramitación de permisos de vuelos con dron te permite volar de manera legal y segura sin tener que preocuparte por los trámites burocráticos. A través de este servicio, puedo gestionar tu solicitud de permisos, obtener las autorizaciones necesarias para operar en áreas restringidas, asegurándonos así que cumples con todas las normativas locales.

The drone flight permit management service in Spain

This service is designed to facilitate the process of obtaining permits and to avoid any type of sanction. By contracting this service, I will take care of the entire administrative process related to flight permit applications, including:

• Risk Assessment: Depending on the area in which you want to fly, I will carry out a risk assessment to determine if you need to apply for a special permit.
• Permit Applications: I will liaise directly with the relevant authorities to obtain the necessary permits. This includes dealing with AESA and other local authorities.
• Personalised advice for non-Spanish nationals and those living outside Spain: If you are a non-Spanish national or live outside Spain and do not have access to the identification platforms required to apply for flight permits, don’t worry. I offer personalised advice to handle all the legal and administrative aspects, ensuring you can fly legally in Spain without any complications. From processing permits to registering your drone, I’ll be by your side to help you every step of the way.

This service is ideal for those who have no experience in processing permits or who do not reside in Spain and feel overwhelmed by the bureaucracy. If you are interested in this service, do not hesitate to contact me.

Why is it important to apply for permits to fly?

Proper permit management is not only a legal requirement, but also contributes to aviation safety. Drones are not a harmless technology; if used incorrectly, they can have serious consequences and pose a risk to people, structures and even other manned aircraft in the vicinity.

By obtaining the necessary permits, you can ensure that your flight is legal, safe and compliant with current regulations. You will also avoid any potential fines that might result from incorrect handling of the paperwork.

How to fly legally in Spain

If you have never flown a drone before and you are planning to fly a drone in Spain, before you go, I recommend you to read my article about the 5 requirements to fly a drone in Spain and also follow these basic steps:

1. Find out about regulations: Check the latest changes in regulations and restrictions in Spanish airspace.
2. Registering your drone: See my article to find out if you are required to register as a drone operator. This process is simple and must be completed prior to any flight.
3. Check the flight zones: Before flying, it is important that you check the zones where you can operate your drone. Use tools such as ENAIRE maps and learn how to use them to make sure you are not flying over restricted areas.
4. Apply for the necessary permits: If you plan to fly in a restricted area or make a special flight, do not hesitate to contact me for the management of drone flight permits in Spain. For more information, see the article that tells you about the regulations for flying drones in Spain.

The management and permitting of drone flights is a crucial process that should not be taken lightly and must be taken seriously.

The regulations in force in Spain seek to ensure the safety and proper use of drones in airspace, and failure to comply with them can result in severe financial penalties.

Feel free to contact me for more information and to start flying legally – together we will make your drone experience safe and hassle-free!

Do you still have any doubts about the management of drone permits in Spain?