Europe
Portugal
EASA (EU) Regulation — implemented by ANAC
Portugal applies the standard EASA regulation, with three bodies involved: ANAC for registration and enforcement, AAN for aerial filming permits, ICNF for access to protected areas.
Mandatory on uas.anac.pt for drones ≥250 g or capable of over 80 J of impact energy, or fitted with sensors that collect personal data. Valid for 3 years.
Online certificate required for drones ≥250 g, per the EASA A1/A3 standard.
Mandatory under national law (Portaria n.º 2/2021).
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Check the geographic zones on ANAC; Madeira has stricter local rules (insurance required for any weight, according to unofficial sources).
Verify officially before flying
Source: ANAC — Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil (Portuguese National 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 Portugal, the official reference remains ANAC — Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil (Portuguese National Civil Aviation Authority), also via ANAC UAS Portal. Mandatory on uas.anac.pt for drones ≥250 g or capable of over 80 J of impact energy, or fitted with sensors that collect personal data. Valid for 3 years.
How this usually works
Here the requirement depends on factors like the drone's weight, distance from people, or use case (recreational vs. commercial). The note above describes the most common case: if your situation is different, check the official source to see exactly which scenario applies to you before flying. The exam and certificate are handled by ANAC — Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil (Portuguese National Civil Aviation Authority), also via ANAC UAS Portal. Online certificate required for drones ≥250 g, per the EASA A1/A3 standard.
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.