Drone registration at ANAC: updated step by step 2026

In this article

Operator registration at ANAC is mandatory for anyone operating drones with cameras (that are not toys) or weighing 250 g or more. It’s free, the form takes about 10 minutes and ANAC approves it within up to 10 working days
There are two distinct things: the operator registration (who’s responsible for the drone) and the remote pilot training (who flies it), and they can be the same person
The operator number must be displayed on the drone visibly
The registration must be revalidated on the uas.anac.pt portal at least every 3 years, and your data must always be kept up to date
Registration is mandatory even for cheap drones — a 249g DJI Mini 4 Pro with camera requires registration

“But it weighs less than 250 grams, I don’t need anything, right?” You do. This article demystifies ANAC registration — it costs nothing and takes less time than assembling the drone. Step by step, real costs, and common pitfalls.

Who needs to register?

Under Article 14 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, the following must register as UAS operators:

Those operating a drone with maximum takeoff mass (MTOM) of 250g or more
Those operating a drone under 250g but equipped with a sensor capable of capturing personal data (i.e., with a camera) — unless classified as a toy under Directive 2009/48/EC
Those operating a drone with impact kinetic energy above 80 joules

In practice: if your drone has a camera, you need registration. DJI Mini 4 Pro, Avata 2, or that EUR 30 Lidl drone — if it has a camera, it needs registration (unless classified as a toy).

Operator vs. remote pilot: what’s the difference?

This is a very common confusion. The European regulation distinguishes two figures:

UAS Operator: the person (individual or legal entity) responsible for the drone. The legal “owner” — who answers to authorities. The operator gets a registration number that must be displayed on the drone.

Remote pilot: the person who actually controls the drone during flight. The one holding the controller.

In most recreational cases, operator and pilot are the same person — you buy the drone and you fly it. But in a company, the operator may be the company and the pilot an employee. In that case, operator registration is the company’s, and the pilot needs A1/A3 or A2 competency in their personal name.

Key point: operator registration does not replace competency certification (A1/A3 or A2). They’re different things. Registration identifies who’s responsible; certification proves you can fly. You need both, except with a class C0 drone, where the law only requires reading the manufacturer’s manual.

Step by step: how to register at ANAC

Step 1: Access the portal

Go to uas.anac.pt — ANAC’s dedicated UAS (drone) portal. If you’ve never accessed it, you’ll need to create an account. Individuals create it with the Chave Móvel Digital; companies use a general email address, with two-factor authentication.

Note: if a form doesn’t work, try a different browser.

Step 2: Fill in personal data

After creating an account and logging in, go to “Operator Registration.” Required data:

Full name
NIF (Tax Identification Number)
Date of birth
Address (must be in Portugal — if you live abroad, register in your country of residence)
Phone
Email
Nationality (asked of non-EU citizens, who must also give an address in Portugal)

For companies, the data is the company’s. The account is created with a general email address and the form is filled in by the administrator or by an employee with a power of attorney, who logs in with their own Chave Móvel Digital.

Step 3: Declare your drone(s)

Once the registration is approved, the portal allows (but doesn’t require) declaring the drones you own: the registration belongs to the operator, not to each drone. It’s recommended, especially if you plan to obtain specific authorizations later. Data requested per drone:

Manufacturer and model
Serial number
CE class (if applicable: C0, C1, C2, etc.)
Maximum takeoff weight

Step 4: Get your operator number

After submission, the application stays pending until ANAC approves it (within up to 10 working days); then the operator number appears in your account. It has the format PRT0123456789abc (PRT followed by 13 letters and digits, 16 characters in total), plus 3 secret characters that are only entered in the Remote ID. It’s your unique identifier with ANAC and authorities.

This number must be:

Displayed on the drone in a readable way — can be a printed label, engraving, or even permanent marker
Registered in the drone’s system (if firmware allows — DJI, for example, has a dedicated field in the DJI Fly app)
Presentable to authorities on request

Practical tip: a laminated label made on a label printer holds up well. It can go in the battery compartment, as long as it’s easy to see with the drone on the ground. Don’t include the 3 secret characters.

Step 5: Civil liability insurance

While not part of registration itself, this is the ideal time to get insurance, which is mandatory in Portugal for drones over 900 g (Decree-Law No. 58/2018, Article 10), whether the use is recreational or professional, and highly recommended below that weight.

Options in Portugal:

Lusitania: a dedicated drone policy for private use
NacionalGest (broker): different rates for recreational and professional use, with an optional hull damage cover
Other insurers and brokers: ask for a quote; the minimum mandatory cover depends on the drone’s weight (Ordinance No. 2/2021)
Coverdrone (international): policies from one day to one year, for recreational or commercial use

Compare the coverage, the insured amount and the deductible before choosing.

Costs and deadlines: everything you need to know

Direct summary:

Operator registration cost: FREE (EUR 0)
Processing time: up to 10 working days, ANAC’s approval deadline
Validity: 3 years, as long as you keep data updated
Renewal: revalidation on the portal at least every 3 years, and a data update whenever your address, email or phone change
A1/A3 exam cost: FREE
A2 exam cost: no fee at this stage, according to ANAC (in-person exam, 1 attempt)
Insurance cost: price varies by insurer (mandatory above 900 g)

Total to start flying legally (recreational, drone with camera): EUR 0 (registration + A1/A3). Add insurance for full coverage (mandatory above 900 g): price varies.

Frequent registration mistakes

These are the most common registration mistakes:

1. “My drone weighs less than 250g, I don’t need registration.”
If it has a camera, you do. The DJI Mini 4 Pro, Mini 3 Pro, Mini 3 — all need operator registration despite weighing under 250g.

2. Not displaying the number on the drone.
The operator number MUST be physically on the drone, readable without tools. The authorities may ask to see it on the drone.

3. Registering but not getting A1/A3.
Registration and certification are different things. From class C1 upward, having the operator number without A1/A3 competency is like having a car license plate but no driving license.

4. Using outdated data.
If you’ve changed address or email and haven’t updated the portal, registration may be considered invalid. Takes 2 minutes to update — do it.

5. Thinking commercial use changes the rules.
The European rules don’t distinguish recreational flights from paid work (filming, inspections): what counts is the drone’s weight and the risk of the operation. A paid job within the limits of the open category follows the same rules; if it goes beyond them, it requires a declaration or an ANAC authorization.

Registration for companies

If operating drones in a business context, registration is in the company’s name (legal entity). You’ll need:

Company NIPC
Legal representative data
A general company email address, to create the account (with two-factor authentication)
A power of attorney, if the registration is done by an appointed employee (who logs in with their own Chave Móvel Digital)

Each pilot flying on behalf of the company needs their own A1/A3 or A2 certification. Company registration doesn’t replace individual pilot competency.

Remote ID and the operator number

Class C1, C2 and C3 drones have Remote ID (direct remote identification), mandatory since 1 January 2024. The operator number transmitted by Remote ID must be the one registered at ANAC, and this is where the 3 secret characters come in: the full sequence is only entered in the drone’s Remote ID, or in an attached module, and never on the label.

For drones with integrated Remote ID (for example, the DJI Air 3, class C1, or the Mavic 3 Pro, class C2), the number is configured directly in the DJI Fly app and transmitted automatically. Just ensure the number in the app matches the ANAC portal.

Conclusion

Drone registration at ANAC is probably the simplest bureaucratic process you’ll encounter in Portugal. It’s free, fast, and done entirely online. There’s no excuse not to do it.

Filling in the registration takes less time than setting up the drone for the first time. Ten minutes on the portal, ANAC’s approval and a label on the drone, and you’re legal. Add the A1/A3 training (free), insurance (mandatory above 900 g) and the free authorization from the AAN (National Aeronautical Authority) to capture images, and you have everything needed to fly peacefully in Portugal.

If there’s one thing I want you to take from this article: registering is not optional, not difficult, and costs nothing. Do it today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ANAC registration really free?

Yes, completely free. The uas.anac.pt portal charges no fee for operator registration. The A2 exam has no fee at this stage either; the only usual cost is civil liability insurance, mandatory above 900 g and with a price that varies by insurer.

How long does registration take?

Filling in the registration takes about 10 minutes. Then the application stays pending until ANAC approves it, which can take up to 10 working days; only then does the operator number become available in your account.

Do I need to renew registration every year?

Not every year, but you must revalidate it on the portal at least every 3 years. In the meantime, you must keep your data updated (address, email, phone): with outdated data, ANAC may revoke the registration.

Can I fly in other EU countries with Portuguese registration?

Yes. Operator registration obtained in Portugal is recognized across the entire EU. You don’t need to register again in another Member State. However, you must respect each country’s geographical zones and specific rules.

What happens if I’m caught flying without registration?

Operating without registration is a very serious offense (Decree-Law No. 87/2021, Article 14), with a fine of EUR 1,000 to EUR 4,000 for individuals. Beyond the fine, the drone may be temporarily seized. Considering registration is free and takes 10 minutes, there’s no justification for flying without it.

Miguel Santos

DroneFlyBlog

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