Flying my drone is such a fun way to capture stunning aerial landscapes while traveling. But figuring out international drone laws can be daunting! So, I thought I’d share my exact process to find out how to legally fly my drone in another country.
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As a drone pilot in the US and the EU, I’ve flown legally in many other countries as well. Each has their own quirks, and it’s super important to understand what you can and can’t do.
To be honest, whether or not I can take my drone is actually one of my deciding factors if I even go to a destination! It is after all, one of my very favorite travel accessories!
👉Real quick: my favorite drone to fly internationally is the DJI Mini 4 Pro. Keeping it under 250g can often times prove lesser restrictions!
Can you fly drones in other countries?
Before you pack your drone for an international flight, it’s critical to understand the laws and regulations for flying drones that country. Rules can vary widely, and they’re constantly changing.
Some countries are super relaxed and others are very strict. Failing to follow local laws can result in huge fines, confiscation of your drone or even imprisonment.
Don’t worry, though! In this guide, I’ll break down the steps and considerations you need to take to determine if you can fly your drone internationally and what you need to do so legally.
Research online to find the local aviation authority
Google it. (Okay, I’m using that as a verb. After Google started favoring outdated forums and unreliable sources over independent publishers, I’ve been using alternative search engines, like Ecosia – and I love it! I digress.)
Anyways, search: “drone laws in (X)” and fill in the country you’re interested in traveling to. Sometimes you’ll want to add the year, if you get a bunch of outdated info.
Usually you’ll get a few websites that literally regurgitate content from official sources, and sometimes those are up to date and sometimes they’re not. But those sites may take you to the official aviation authority for that country, where you can dive deeper into the details.
Sometimes it’s the country’s tourism board website that will link to the local aviation authority site.
But the end result – you want to find the official government or aviation website for that country.
Once you do that, consider the following factors:
Hobby versus commercial flights: international drone laws
Drone regulations can sometimes depend on the purpose of your flight. Are you flying for fun? Or do you plan to use your drone for business purposes? Many countries have different rules for each.
Personal use: in most cases, flying for recreational purposes has fewer restrictions. You may still need to register your drone or obtain a permit depending on the country and the size of your drone.
Business use: flying a drone for profit may require additional paperwork and approvals, such as a special license or certification. Be prepared to provide proof of your qualifications or drone insurance, and to pay applicable fees.
Drone size matters when flying internationally
I know, I know. The bigger drones can take some epic photos and handle better in various weather conditions. But honestly, I prefer to travel with my smaller ones because they fit better in my suitcase and often have less restrictions.
Some countries have specific rules for drones weighing less than 250 grams, exempting them from registration requirements. Larger drones, however, might require more rigorous approvals.
Be sure to check whether your drone’s weight falls under any thresholds for stricter regulations. If the country has a stated difference on the aviation website, you’ll want to follow those rules. If its size isn’t addressed, I’ve typically found it to be ok to fly a larger drone!
👉Still learning aerial photography? Learn how to take amazing drone photos and videos!
Location, location, location
Every country has rules around where you can and cannot fly a drone. Common spots are: near an airport, prison, or national park.
But, you’ll definitely want to find out – and download – any necessary apps or maps that help you understand where you can’t fly once you’re on the ground in that destination.
What’s the approval process for international drone laws?
The authority’s website should have details on any type of licensing or approval process to fly. Some countries require you to register your drone, even for recreational use. This process for international drone laws compliance often involves filling out an online form and maybe paying a small fee.
Some countries require flight permits, especially if you’re flying for business purposes. Or in certain areas. Usually these are stated on the local aviation authority’s website.
Note: sometimes these take time! I’ve seen approvals in a week and some more than a month. And sometimes you’ll have to follow up. A lot.
Also, be sure to print this approval and have an electronic copy on your phone.
Cost of flying your drone internationally
Aside from the equipment itself, sometimes there is a fee with an online registration or license. For instance, I had to pay a small fee for registering and flying my drone in The Bahamas.
The times I’ve traveled to and flown my drone in EU countries, I didn’t have to pay for each country, but rather had to pay to get my EU pilot’s license. It’s good for 3 years, and the countries I’ve been to didn’t layer on any fees.
So it really depends on the country you’re traveling to and their requirements. Which are always changing!
Declaring your drone at Customs internationally
This is so important! As you’re doing your research on the country you’re interested in flying a drone in, be sure to find out if you have to declare a drone at customs. I’ve found each country is different here, too.
But honestly, this is something I don’t mess around with.
Find out if you need to declare your drone with the local customs agents. Sometimes you’ll have to declare it based on size or value. Other times you’ll need to show your paperwork that you have approval to fly.
Yet, other times you’ll need to declare it, and give them details like your travel dates and that you intend to bring it back out of the country with you.
You may also need to provide serial numbers, and weigh your drone as well.
The reality of online drone content
When you’re researching your destination and trying to find out “can you fly drones in other countries,” you’ll likely see info from Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, etc. But be weary of what others are doing – just because they’re flying or have the content, doesn’t mean it’s legal to do so.
Or, like in some of my own/legally acquired content – the drone laws have changed and it’s no longer possible to fly in a particular location!
You want to look at authoritative sites to find out the real deal.
Because some places have hefty consequences if you don’t follow the international drone law and you’re caught!
What happens if you don’t fly legally or get the necessary permits?
Let me start with the fact that I’m definitely not recommending this.
Each country has different rules if you’re caught flying without the proper approval, or in a place you shouldn’t. It can result in massive fines (like up to €250,000 in the EU), or imprisonment in some countries.
That time I took my drone to a country I shouldn’t have
Speaking of which: my first time traveling to Belize in 2019, I had my DJI Mavic Air 2 taken by customs. Unfortunately, the drone laws had changed just before I traveled and as a foreigner, I couldn’t take my drone into the country.
Because I had packed it (because again, I thought I could take it based on simple research), I had to claim it at customs and they confiscated it. Luckily I was flying in and out of Belize City so I could grab it on my way back to the US.
I learned a lot from this experience, and one of those things was that I put a ribbon on the zipper of my drone case to easily identify it because there were other drones there. Nowadays I also keep an AirTag in my drone case so I know where it is at all times!
Follow flight rules in the country
Even if you’ve done all the paperwork, there are usually additional rules to follow while flying. These are common with the USA’s FAA ‘common sense’ rules and might include:
- Flying below a certain altitude (usually 120 meters or 400 feet).
- Keeping your drone within visual line-of-sight.
- Avoiding restricted areas like airports, military zones and national parks.
- Respecting privacy laws by not flying over crowds or private property without permission.
Additional drone resources:
Learn to fly a drone course: Elevate Your Photos: Beginner’s Guide to Drones!
Study guide for your FAA Part 107 drone license test
International drone laws – that’s a wrap!
As you can see, each country is truly different, and as more and more people start flying drones (some of them recklessly), the laws are constantly in a state of change.
I hope this article helped, and that you find the info you’re looking for, so you can capture those magical views from above! ✨
Related content you might like:
Elevate Your Photos: Beginner’s Guides to Drones
10 Incredibly Scenic Places to Fly Drones in the US
Drone Preflight Checklist: Actions to Take Before Every Flight
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