Flying no needed license drones in Spain, is currently possible under current regulations.
Current drone regulations state that, as of the date you are reading this article, the only drones that do NOT require a licence are drones that do NOT exceed 250 grams in weight or that in the event of a collision do not exceed 80 joules in kinetic energy.
These types of drones are Class 0 drones and, in order to fly them, all that is required of the pilot is that he/she is at least aware of the manufacturer’s instructions and fly only in the ‘open’ category.
To fly in ‘specific category’, any unmanned aircraft of any MTOM (maximum take-off mass), you must register.
Even so, you should know that what will change is that from 2024 if you want to fly drones weighing less than 250 grams within population or accumulation of buildings, that are NOT considered a toy by the manufacturer, you will need to perform the same notification to the Ministry (I repeat, notification, so you should not expect a reply), which drones over 250 grams have to do.
Flying no needed license drones
No needed license drones has become one of the star gifts at Christmas, for birthdays and for any other time, as they are very attractive and people who have no experience with them are very curious.
In my article on the best drones of 2023 I tell you which drones I consider the most interesting and worthwhile in terms of weight and price. There I will tell you about the best no needed license drones to fly, which are drones under 250 grams.
If you are wondering “which drone can I fly without having a licence“, here are the most commonly used models:
AESA always reminds us that a drone is not a toy, it is an aircraft, and although you can take a drone photo and film videos with it, you need to know the regulations, thus appealing to the responsibility of adults towards children who might receive a drone as a gift.
Even if you intend to use a no needed license drones recreationally, you should know where you can fly it in order to be more aware of the safety precautions to take.
Best-selling drones under 250 grams
Below you can see which are the best-selling unlicensed drones, or drones under 250 grams, on Amazon. You have no excuse not to fly a drone!
Find out how to take advantage of the 5% discount on drone training courses.
If you decide to leave the recreational mode behind, want to earn money with this profession, and be able to fly in all scenarios and categories, you can choose to train in the different drone pilot courses.
We offer you a discount on the courses offered on the website of Aerocámaras, leaders in drone pilot training in Spain.
To benefit from a 5% discount it is important that you enter the promotional code: javiergomiz when purchasing the courses I offer you below, and the rest that you will see on the web.
You will also help and encourage me to keep this website alive and working. Thank you very much!
Drone Pilot Basic Course A1/A3
Drone Pilot Basic Course A2
Professional Drone Pilot Course at STS
The training will be done remotely with Aerocámaras, a leading company in the aeronautical sector in Spain.
Which drones are needed a license to be flown
The drones that are needed permissions and having a license in Spain are:
- Drones weighing more than 250 grams such as the Mavic Air 2s, the new DJI AIR 3 or the Mavic 3.
- Drones weighing less than 250 grams but which, in the event of a collision, can transmit kinetic energy of more than 80 joules to a human being, such as racer drones.
- Drones that the manufacturer has not specified in the instructions for use that it is a “toy drone“.
What to do with a drone weighing less than 250 grams
Here’s what to do with a drone weighing less than 250 grams and its main considerations and rules:
- It is possible to fly the drone over buildings or gatherings of people up to a height of 20 metres.
- You can take drone photos and film videos if your drone has a camera, but you must comply with data protection regulations, the right to honour, privacy, personal image and any restrictions on photographic flight that may exist in the area where you decide to fly with the drone. You can check this on the Enaire Drones website that AESA makes available to us, so that we know at all times if we are flying in a restricted area or if we need a special permit.
Even if you have a no needed license drone weighing less than 250 grams, you should be aware of some important considerations and restrictions before you start flying it:
- The most important thing is NOT to fly the drone in controlled areas (CTR zone) and always at least 8km away from an airport.
- Keep the drone ALWAYS in sight.
- You must fly in daylight and suitable weather conditions. You must not fly in fog, rain or strong wind.
- You cannot fly in National Parks, wildlife conservation areas, Biosphere Reserves and Protected Natural Areas (PNA) without an approved permit from the competent body. This information is also available on the ENAIRE Drones website, which I have just mentioned.
- You must carry a fireproof identification plate on both the drone and the radio control, which has been mandatory for all drones since 2021.
- Third party insurance is not compulsory, but it is advisable.
Fine for flying a drone without having being licensed
There are two scenarios in which you may be proposed for a fine if you fly a drone without having being licensed:
If you fly a drone without having a licence and you do so under circumstances that do not endanger yourself or others, such as reckless flying, being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, absolutely nothing would happen.
But if you fly a needed license drone and you don’t have one, you can get into big trouble and face fines that can be very large, and which vary depending on whether you are an individual or a company.
You are a private individual
If you are a private individual flying a drone without having a licence and aeronautical knowledge, fines can range from €60 to €225,000, depending on:
- If you commit a minor offence, fines can range from €60 to €45,000.
- When you commit a serious offence, the fine ranges from €45,001 to €90,000.
- But if you commit a very serious offence, fines can range from €90,001 to €225,000.
You are a company
And if you are a company, regardless of whether you have knowledge or not, the infringements are significantly higher:
- For minor offences, fines range from €4,500 to €70,000.
- For serious misconduct, the fine will range from €70,001 to €250,000.
- And if you commit a very serious offence, the fine you can receive will be between 250,001 and 4.5 million euros.
For this reason it is important that you know what you are doing at all times, whether you have a license to fly a drone or not, or you fly a drone over 250gr or not. You need to be aware of the regulations to save yourself a lot of trouble and, most importantly of all, so that third parties do not suffer the consequences of malpractice.
Do you think a no needed license drone is your best option nowadays, which drone are you planning to buy? Share your experience here, I read you!
