South America
Paraguay
DINAC — RPA/RPAS Regulation (DINAC R 1103)
Paraguay regulates drones under DINAC's RPA/RPAS Regulation (Resolución 2170/2017). Recreational/hobby flying doesn't need DINAC authorization, but third-party liability insurance is still mandatory for every owner/operator regardless of use — an easy detail for a tourist to overlook.
The regulation formally kicks in for operations at 150 m altitude and above, and near airport approach/departure paths; no separate explicit numeric ceiling is stated for recreational flying below that threshold.
The registration chapter requires RPA to be entered in the National Aeronautical Registry, without explicitly distinguishing recreational use or a weight threshold. Foreign-registered drones must first register and obtain a temporary permit from DINAC before operating in Paraguay.
No DINAC authorization is required for recreational/hobby flying (crew must still be adults); an RPA pilot licence and psychophysical fitness certificate are required for non-recreational operations in non-segregated airspace.
Mandatory for every RPA owner/operator regardless of use: third-party liability insurance for surface damage.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: For recreational use: at least 30 m horizontally and 10 m vertically from bystanders not part of the operation. Forbidden to fly over populated areas, cities and gatherings, within the influence area of airport approach/departure paths, in prohibited/restricted/dangerous zones and controlled airspace, unless specially authorized by DINAC. Daytime and visual meteorological conditions (VMC) only, unless authorized for night flight.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
Data verified against the full text of DINAC's RPA/RPAS Regulation R 1103 (Resolución N° 2.170/2017), downloaded from the official DINAC website. No explicit weight threshold is stated for the recreational registration requirement, nor a stated exception for tourists: flagged as an ambiguity, not resolved by guessing.
Verify officially before flying
Source: DINAC — Dirección Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil (Paraguay's Civil Aviation Authority)
Last checked: 2026-09
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Operator registration exists for accountability: if a drone causes an incident or enters a restricted zone, the authority needs to be able to trace it back to whoever was flying it. You usually get an identification number (operator ID) to physically attach to the drone, valid for every drone the same person owns. The cost is often minimal or free, and it applies to visiting tourists too, not just residents. For Paraguay, the official reference remains DINAC — Dirección Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil (Paraguay's Civil Aviation Authority). The registration chapter requires RPA to be entered in the National Aeronautical Registry, without explicitly distinguishing recreational use or a weight threshold. Foreign-registered drones must first register and obtain a temporary permit from DINAC before operating in Paraguay.
How this usually works
Even where an exam isn't formally required, most aviation authorities still recommend a basic safety course: rules change often, and flying without the basics is a real risk even without a legal obligation. The exam and certificate are handled by DINAC — Dirección Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil (Paraguay's Civil Aviation Authority). No DINAC authorization is required for recreational/hobby flying (crew must still be adults); an RPA pilot licence and psychophysical fitness certificate are required for non-recreational operations in non-segregated airspace.
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.