In this article
To find out where you can fly a drone in Portugal, check the ANAC UAS geographical zones map for your intended location and route. The absence of a prohibition on the map does not remove operational rules, land-access requirements or the rules applying to aerial image capture.
What is the official drone map?
Start with dnt.anac.pt, the ANAC map. Checking flight zones is a separate process from the AAN procedure for aerial imagery.
How to check prohibited or conditional zones
- Search by coordinates rather than relying only on a city name.
- Inspect the entire route, not just the take-off point.
- Open the details of every overlapping zone and read its conditions.
- Identify any altitude limit, other restrictions and the responsible authority.
- Confirm the applicable dates and times before flying.
Read the official explanation of UAS geographical zones. Conditions cannot be reduced to a fixed radius around every airport.
Beaches, protected areas and cities
| Location | Additional checks |
|---|---|
| Beach | Local conditions, people, land access and instructions from the competent authority. Being outside the bathing season is not sufficient by itself. |
| Protected area | Environmental rules and the land manager’s procedure, in addition to airspace requirements. |
| City | Geographical zones and subcategory conditions, including distances from people and urban areas. |
| Emergency area | Do not interfere with emergency operations; check the applicable restrictions and instructions. |
Subcategories A1, A2 and A3 have different conditions. See the EASA overview of the open category and the requirements applying to your aircraft and operation.
For protected areas in mainland Portugal, the ICNF drone overflight authorisation form explains the procedure. Madeira and the Azores have separate authorities. Submitting a request does not mean that authorisation has been granted.
For regional ideas, see our guide to photogenic drone locations in Portugal. A recommended landscape is not confirmation that a flight is authorised.
How to identify the authorisation you need
Read the zone details and contact the authority indicated. Describe the coordinates, route, altitude, schedule and equipment. Do not assume that the same authority handles airspace, environmental and image-capture requirements.
For drones capable of capturing images, consult the AAN guidance. For operator registration and pilot competency, start with our guide to drone rules in Portugal.
A preparation example without assuming authorisation
Imagine you want to film a beach: mark the location on the map, inspect the route and zones, check environmental and local conditions, prepare any necessary requests and assess whether people will be present at the planned time. If you cannot meet a condition, change the plan before taking your equipment to the location.
What to keep in your flight plan
- Coordinates and operating area.
- Conditions checked and the date on which you checked them.
- Required authorisations and their limits.
- Applicable operator, pilot and aircraft documents.
- An alternative location or date and criteria for cancelling the flight.
Before take-off
Check the conditions again. An old authorisation, a published video or a manufacturer app showing no geofencing restriction does not replace this verification.
Official ANAC, AAN, EASA and ICNF sources reviewed on 4 November 2026. This is an informational summary; always confirm the rules and authorisations applying to the aircraft, location and date of your operation.
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