Flying a drone abroad - regulations and guidelines
Ready to take your drone on an overseas trip? Before you embark on this exciting journey, be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations governing drone flights in various countriesWe will bring you the most important information about flying a drone abroad so that you can enjoy your hobby without violating the law. We will provide a concise overview of the rules for popular travel destinations such as Turkey, the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Greece and Bulgaria. Learn how to obtain the necessary permits, follow the rules and how to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience in the airspace
Rules and regulations for drone flying in the European Union in 2023
As of 2021, the European Union has common rules for drone flying, which aim to unify the airspace. The period of their implementation is still ongoing, making rules in different member states may differ minimally (e.g. the distance you need to keep from the airport). The basics, however, are common and as follows:
You need to register get on Civil Aviation Authority and get operator number, which should be carried on the drone. What permissions you need and what strictures you must follow depends on the weight of the drone. In our article ,, Do I need a drone license" you will find all the important information about the regulations in the EU.
With a drone license is actually like with a driver's license - if you have made it in Poland, you can also use it in other EU member states. If you meet the Polish requirements then flying in other EU member states will be just as easy. Being registered in Poland, you do not need to register as an operator in another member country. If you want to fly a drone - all you have to do is register with the Polish aviation authority and undergo the training required for your flight subcategory. Your operator number and eligibility will be valid in EU member states.
Flying a drone in Turkey in 2023 - rules and restrictions
In Turkey, flying a drone has been legal for a short time, and regulations changed in 2022. In the case of this country, it is important to pay attention not only to the authorizations, but also to the permits for carrying a drone. We know of stories from drone groups where someone just transported a drone through Turkey (he had a transfer in that country), and the drone was confiscated. Therefore, in the case of this country, it is worth paying more attention to the regulations so as not to expose yourself to unnecessary problems.
Regulations do not impose restrictions on drones weighing less than 500 grams. This means that carrying a drone weighing 250 grams in Turkey will not involve the need for additional documents. According to our information, it is also not required to have additional authorizations/registrations.
Pre-registration is required for drones weighing more than 500 grams at the DGCA (see below for more information), and have the proper authorization to fly a drone. The permit is best obtained one month prior to travel (20 working days). In addition, the drone must have valid insurance. Failure to meet the requirements may result in violation of the law and confiscation of the drone. Flying a drone in Turkey involves the following rules:
- drone always in sight
- limitation of flight altitude to 120 meters
- minimum age of the pilot 18 years
- ban on flying over public places (parks, beaches, public buildings)
Turkey also distinguishes between recreational and commercial flights. In the case of commercial flights a special license from the Civil Aviation Authority is required. However, this type of permit can only be obtained by a Turkish citizen and there is no more information on how it can be done next to a foreigner.
Drone regulations in Turkey may change quite frequently. Therefore, check the current regulations before you plan to fly to Turkey or another country to avoid violating the law.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Turkey is - Directorate General of Civil Aviation, to find more information, you can use the site DGCA.
Flying a drone in the Czech Republic - footnotes and procedures
According to the current law in the Czech Republic, drones must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), however, if you are registered in Poland, as we wrote above - the regulations are common to all EU member states. Registration of drones under 250 grams is not required.
- drone always in sight
- maximum flight altitude 120 meters
- minimum age of the pilot 18 years
- minimum distance from inhabited or populated areas 150 meters
- minimum distance from the airport 5 km
- it is forbidden to fly in densely populated areas
- prohibition of photographing and recording people without express permission
Maximum speed of drone flying in the Czech Republic has been fixed at 100 km/h, and the flight time must not exceed 15 minutes. Avoid restricted and protected areas. Operations in restricted/prohibited airspace zones are generally prohibited. The zones can be seen on the following website: https://dronview.rlp.cz/. Remember to check the latest regulations with the CAA before you fly to make sure you're in compliance.
The Civil Aviation Authority in the Czech Republic is - Úřad pro civilní letectví, in order to find more information, you can use the site CAA.
Flying a drone in Germany - guidelines and permits
Germany has clear regulations on drone use and they are very similar to those in Poland. If the drone weighs more than 250 grams, it is necessary to register it with the Civil Aviation Authority (as we wrote if you do it Poland, you do not need to repeat this procedure). Remember to fly only in permitted zones. You can find them here - map of geographic zones germany.
- drone always in sight
- maximum flight altitude 120 meters
- minimum age of pilot 16 years old
- minimum distance from the airport 5 km
- it is forbidden to fly in densely populated areas (such as concerts, sporting events, demonstrations), nature reserves
- prohibition of photographing and recording people without express permission
Flying a drone in Germany includes special rules for night flights. All drones must be equipped with a green flashing light, and flights can only take place at least 200 meters away from populated areas. Flight altitude limitation at night is 50 meters. Just like during the day, you must maintain direct eye contact with a drone. Aviation law does not distinguish between commercial and private operations, so the same rules apply.
Before flying, it is a good idea to check the applicable regulations to avoid risks and violations of applicable laws. The Civil Aviation Authority in Germany is - Luftfahrt Bundesamt, to find more information, you can use the site LBA.
Flying a drone in Spain - procedures and rights
In the case of Spain, if your drone weighs less than 250 grams, you don't even need to carry the A1/ A3 certificate with you. For heavier drones, have a certificate prepared with a qr code on your phone, for example. Observe geographical zones. The map is available at https://drones.enaire.es/. Much information is available in English at https://drones.enaire.es/
- drone always in sight
- maximum flight altitude 120 meters
- drones must fly in designated areas
- minimum distance from the airport and other sensitive sites 8 km
- minimum distance from persons or groups of persons 5 km
- prohibition of photographing and recording people without express permission
In addition, infromation in English is clearly available at ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda website. To fly in national parks, you need a permit from AESA. Drone use in no-fly zones must be approved by the Spanish Ministry of Defense (processing time is about a week). Public liability insurance is not required, but it is recommended to have it. The pilot is fully responsible for any damage.
Flying a drone in Spain for companies without having to obtain a formal permit is possible over designated areas, including cities. In addition, with the right tracking equipment, they can also perform drone flights outside the operator's field of view. This is a significant convenience for businesses, which translates into time and money savings for companies.
The Civil Aviation Authority in Spain is - Autoridad de Aviación Civil, to find more information, you can use the website AAC or AESA.
Flying a drone in Greece - restrictions and regulations in 2023
Wanting to view beautiful sights in Gracia via drone, you need to pay attention to drone zone system, which specify places where they can be used. Everyone must comply with the restrictions set for the zone in which they are located.
If you meet the Polish requirements with peace of mind you can fly in Greece. In addition to the standardized European rules for flying a drone, there are additional restrictions, which we have highlighted below in bold:
- it is necessary to mark the drone with the operator's ID
- drone always in sight
- maximum flight altitude 120 meters
- minimum age of pilot 16 years old
- minimum distance from the airport 8 km
- additional permits when flying over protected areas (e.g., museums)
- mandatory insurance for drones over 4 kg and used commercially
- it is forbidden to fly at night or in bad weather conditions
- prohibition of photographing and recording people without express permission
- ban on flying over private property without permission
- ban on flying over public places (parks, beaches, public buildings)
- it is illegal to use drones for commercial purposes without a license
- flights above 50 meters in altitude shall be reported to the aviation supervisory authorities and the police
Flying a drone in Greece should be preceded by checking the latest information on the current regulations on the air surveillance websites. The Civil Aviation Authority of Greece is - Ελληνική Υπηρεσία Πολιτικής Αεροπορίας, in order to find more information, you can use the site YPA.
Flying a drone in Bulgaria - permits and rules
Before flying a drone in Bulgaria, you must comply with the European requirements we write about at the beginning of the atrticle, and you are required to familiarize yourself with the conditions of access in the area. Such a map of gographic zones is available at [link]. During the flight you should check every 15 minutes, whether in the area of flight performance the zone is active, and if it occurs, abort the flight.
- drone always in sight
- maximum flight altitude 120 meters
- minimum age of pilot 16 years old
- it is forbidden to photograph or record people without express permission
- ban on flying over private property without permission
- it is illegal to use drones for commercial purposes without a permit
Geographical areas do not always include all restricted places on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. Use only the geographic zone information published in the json file, which is available with access to the map on the CAA. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bulgaria is - Гражданска въздухоплавателна администрация, to find more information, you can use the site CAA. The CAA requires a permit, for specific types of flights, including over populated areas, near airports, and at night.
Countries banning drone flying
Depending on the country, there are varying regulations on drone use. In some countries, regulations are clear and easy to follow, while in others the use of drones is banned. There is a group of countries where the requirements are quite complicated, requiring the development of detailed documentation and payment of various fees, or there is a lack of specific regulations in this area, and the general infromation available on the interet is unclear.
It is worth noting that the lack of regulations on flying a drone abroad does not automatically mean that everything that is not prohibited is allowed. In practice, this is a discretionary matter that can lead to problems and penalties. At a list of countries where drone flying is banned, and even the import of these devices is prohibited, there are, for example, such countries as Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to consequences such as financial penalties, confiscation of the drone or even imprisonment.
If in this article we have not mentioned the country you are interested in we present a list of sites that provide and update infromation on this topic. To ascertain whether flying a drone is allowed in your country, you can use the websites:
Summary
Flying a drone abroad requires knowledge of the country's drone use regulations and guidelines. The European Union has common regulations that impose certain restrictions on drone flying. Before traveling abroad, however, it's a good idea to check the specific regulations of your country to avoid violating the law. After reading this article, we hope you will be able to avoid unpleasant consequences. If you have any questions, we can assist you by phone and email.
