Middle East
Turkey
SHGM — mandatory registration for drones ≥500 g
In Turkey, drones under 500 g are exempt from registration; above that threshold, SHGM registration is required, which normally requires a Turkish tax ID not available to a tourist on a short visit.
Mandatory only for drones ≥500 g; for foreigners there is an alternative form (FR-03, via ihadestek@shgm.gov.tr) with approval within 1-2 weeks.
Not verified in detail in this research.
Mandatory for commercial operations/in populated areas under SHGM directives, indicative minimum amounts 100,000-2,000,000 TL depending on weight.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Military and airport zones presumably forbidden; details not confirmed by a primary source in this research.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
Maximum altitude not confirmed by an official source in this research; the SHGM portal was not directly reachable to verify full details.
Verify officially before flying
Source: SHGM — Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü (Directorate General of Civil Aviation)
Last checked: 2026-08
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Here the threshold usually depends on the drone's weight or whether it has a camera: below a certain weight, often 250 g, many systems don't require registration for recreational use. Check the note above and the official source to see whether your specific drone falls under the requirement. For Turkey, the official reference remains SHGM — Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü (Directorate General of Civil Aviation). Mandatory only for drones ≥500 g; for foreigners there is an alternative form (FR-03, via ihadestek@shgm.gov.tr) with approval within 1-2 weeks.
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 SHGM — Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü (Directorate General of Civil Aviation). Not verified in detail in this research.
Other countries in Middle East
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.