Flight guide
for Portugal.
Everything you need to fly within the law: registration, authorizations and rules, in the right order.
Before you fly
Do this once (steps 1-5) and step 6 before every flight.
Register as an Operator with ANAC
Required for all UAS with a camera or microphone in the open category. You'll get a unique operator number. Keep it safe.
Mark the drone with your operator number
Engrave the number on the drone body (durable label, marker or laser). If the drone has a class marking (manufactured from 2024), enter the number in the official app too.
Third-party liability insurance
Covers damage to third parties (people, property, vehicles). Without valid insurance you can't complete the AAN registration.
A1/A3 training
Free online course with a final test. Available at ANAC or Eurocontrol Training Zone, pick one. You get a digital certificate valid across the EU.
Register with AAN
As pilot, operator and your drone, all on the same platform. You'll need the previous data: operator number, A1/A3 certificate and insurance policy.
Request flight authorization
Per municipality, before every flight, on AAN. The request can take days to be approved, plan ahead. State date, time, max altitude and purpose.
Flight rules
Four rules that always apply, any drone, any municipality.
Visual line of sight
You must see the drone with the naked eye throughout the flight. No binoculars, no camera zoom. Direct vision.
Altitude measured from the ground
Not from the takeoff point. If you climb a hill, the 120 m count from the terrain level beneath the drone.
Above the rooftops
Don't fly below the highest point of properties (rooftops, trees, bushes) without owner permission. Above that, the airspace belongs to E-AAN.
€1,000 to €16,000
Flying without registration, without authorization or in a no-fly zone can cost a lot. It really is worth doing things properly.
Official resources
Bookmarks you'll use often.
Tips by municipality Coming soon
Typical AAN response times and practical tips by region. Soon you'll be able to share your own experience.
Requests for coastal areas are typically approved without follow-up questions when you state max altitude and a short time window.
Slower because of sensitive zones. Request 10 days ahead and have the insurance policy ready to attach.
Interior municipalities tend to be faster. Long range with few legal obstacles, good for getting started.
Open the map and discover spots.
Got the registration, training and authorization? Go fly.