South America
Uruguay
DINACIA — Resolución 291/2014
Uruguay regulates drones under DINACIA's Resolución 291/2014, still in force. Recreational 'minor' drones (up to 25 kg) need no registration, licence or authorization: just stay under 120 m, in visual weather conditions and always within line of sight — likely the simplest regime among the South American countries Dronn covers.
Limit of 120 m AGL for 'minor' devices (up to 25 kg) used recreationally/for sport, the category that covers almost every tourist drone.
No registration is required for 'minor' drones (up to 25 kg) used recreationally. 'Medium' drones (25-260 kg) instead need to be entered in a technical registry (a sequential number to display on the drone, not a real registration mark) through the official Registro de Drones (utm.dinacia.gub.uy), free of charge.
No licence, certificate or operator permit is required for 'minor' devices (up to 25 kg) used recreationally. 'Medium' devices (25-260 kg) instead require an 'Operator Permit' issued after a theoretical-practical exam.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Forbidden in every category unless expressly authorized: carrying passengers, international flights, prohibited/restricted zones, flying over populated areas or gatherings, and airport traffic zones/controlled airspace. Always in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) and direct line of sight.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
Data verified against the text of Resolución DINACIA 291/2014, still the base regulation according to a 2025 circular (not independently verified in this research). No explicit exception for foreign tourists or drones already registered elsewhere is stated in the text consulted.
Verify officially before flying
Source: DINACIA — Dirección Nacional de Aviación Civil e Infraestructura Aeronáutica (Uruguay's Civil Aviation Authority)
Last checked: 2026-09
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Even without a formal requirement, it's still worth keeping a note of the drone's details (serial number, owner) somewhere accessible: proving ownership and responsibility is useful in case of an inspection or incident, regardless of what the law requires. For Uruguay, the official reference remains DINACIA — Dirección Nacional de Aviación Civil e Infraestructura Aeronáutica (Uruguay's Civil Aviation Authority). No registration is required for 'minor' drones (up to 25 kg) used recreationally. 'Medium' drones (25-260 kg) instead need to be entered in a technical registry (a sequential number to display on the drone, not a real registration mark) through the official Registro de Drones (utm.dinacia.gub.uy), free of charge.
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 DINACIA — Dirección Nacional de Aviación Civil e Infraestructura Aeronáutica (Uruguay's Civil Aviation Authority). No licence, certificate or operator permit is required for 'minor' devices (up to 25 kg) used recreationally. 'Medium' devices (25-260 kg) instead require an 'Operator Permit' issued after a theoretical-practical exam.
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.