# Drone laws in Spain

> Structured, citation-backed drone regulation information for Spain, published by Drone Assistant from official sources. Every claim below links to the official material it came from. This is not legal advice, coverage is not exhaustive, and the linked official source governs.

> Limited guide. Drone Assistant's coverage of Spain is still under review, so this page summarises only the published rules we can cite to an official source. It is not a complete statement of Spain's drone law; check the linked sources or ask the assistant about your own flight.

Canonical page: [https://droneassistant.com/drone-laws/spain](https://droneassistant.com/drone-laws/spain)

This Markdown file is a machine-readable representation of that page. It is generated from the same published data; it is not a separate content source.

## Regulatory framework

- Jurisdiction: Spain
- Responsible aviation authority: [Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aerea (AESA)](https://www.seguridadaerea.gob.es/es/ambitos/drones)
- Framework type: national rules within an inherited framework
- Inherited from: EU/EASA framework — [https://droneassistant.com/drone-laws/europe](https://droneassistant.com/drone-laws/europe)
- Published rules held for this jurisdiction: 262

Spain applies the inherited EU/EASA framework. Rules below marked as framework rules are inherited rather than uniquely national, and a national rule may add to, restrict or clarify them.

Legal status is stated for every rule below: binding law, AMC/GM (acceptable means of compliance and guidance material), authority guidance or other non-binding material. Guidance is never a statutory maximum in itself.

## Registration and pilot requirements

### Registration

- Question: Do I need to register my drone in Spain?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: Whether a drone or its operator must be registered before flying, and under which threshold.

Registration in Spain is governed by a published mass threshold of 0.25 kg, alongside the further conditions cited below. Whether it applies to a given flight depends on those conditions, each cited to its rule.

Published figures:

- Weight threshold: 0.25 kg (binding law)

Operating categories distinguished by the published rules: certified, open, specific.

What changes the answer:

- Flight altitude below 120 m (altitude)
- Kinetic energy above 80 joules (other)
- Pilot age at or above 16 years (pilot certification)

Rules behind this answer:

- **Annulment of UAS transfer reporting obligation** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 55) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. The obligation to report the transfer of registered unmanned aircraft to the registry is null and void following a Supreme Court ruling. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Mandatory Registration Cases** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 49) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. UAS operators must register when required by Article 14(5) of Regulation (EU) 2019/947, or when conducting non-EASA activities directly as a public authority (excluding certain security forces) or on behalf of a public authority. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Minimum age for UAS operators in non-EASA activities** (Artículo 16) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. UAS operators performing non-EASA activities or services in Spain must be at least 16 years of age. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Obligation to communicate definitive cessation of UAS activities** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 50) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. A UAS operator who definitively ceases all activities requiring registration must communicate this to the UAS Operator Registry. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Obligation to communicate temporary suspension of UAS activities** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 50) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. A UAS operator who temporarily suspends all activities requiring registration must communicate this to the UAS Operator Registry. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Obligation to Display Unique Registration Number on Aircraft** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 48) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. The UAS operator must display their unique digital registration number on all aircraft that require registration. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Obligation to interact electronically with AESA** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 63) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. Physical persons who are or intend to be UAS operators or remote pilots must interact with AESA through electronic means for procedures under EU and national UAS regulations. This obligation does not apply to sanctioning procedures. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Obligation to Keep Registered Data Updated** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 49) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. Registered UAS operators must keep their registered data updated. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)

Limitations of this coverage:

- Binding law and official guidance disagree on registration.display_identifier; the binding position is published.
- Binding law and official guidance disagree on registration.exceptions; the binding position is published.
- 1 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-08-23.

### Remote pilot competency

- Question: What training do I need to fly a drone in Spain?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: What training, examination or proof of competency a remote pilot must hold.

Remote pilot competency in Spain scales with the operation: which training, examination or proof of competency applies is set by the published conditions below.

Published figures:

- Minimum age: 16 years (binding law)
- Weight-based trigger: 0.25 kg (binding law)

Operating categories distinguished by the published rules: a1, a2, a3, open.

What changes the answer:

- Flight altitude at or below 120 m (altitude)
- Examination questions at or above 30 questions (other)

Rules behind this answer:

- **Alternative Accreditation via AMC** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 34) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. AESA may adopt Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) recognizing alternative ways to accredit radiotelephony qualifications and language proficiency. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Monthly reporting of practical skills training accreditations to AESA** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 22) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. Entities authorized for national standard scenarios, recognized entities, and UAS operators conducting practical skills training for standard scenarios must report pilot training accreditations and complementary information to AESA on a monthly basis. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Radiotelephony Qualification Requirement** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 34) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. Remote pilots requiring the use of the aeronautical mobile service band must hold a theoretical radiotelephony certificate of indefinite validity issued by AESA and a practical radiotelephony certificate valid for two years issued by an authorized examiner. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 20 - section overview** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 20) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. This article establishes the training and certification requirements for remote pilots operating UAS in Spanish national standard scenarios (STS-ES), requiring both a theoretical knowledge certificate issued by AESA and a practical skills accreditation issued by an authorized entity. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 22 - section overview** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 22) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. Establishes the obligation for authorized training entities, recognized entities, and UAS operators to report pilot practical skills training accreditations for standard scenarios to AESA on a monthly basis. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Class C0 Safe Controllability** (Annex Part 1 (4)) — binding law; EU/EASA framework rule; EU regulation — binding law. A class C0 UAS must be safely controllable by a remote pilot following the manufacturer's instructions under all anticipated operating conditions, including system failures. [Official source](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02019R0945-20250624)
- **Class C4 Controllability and Maneuverability** (Annex Part 5 (2)) — binding law; EU/EASA framework rule; EU regulation — binding law. A class C4 UAS must be safely controllable and manoeuvrable by a remote pilot following the manufacturer's instructions under all anticipated operating conditions, including system failures. [Official source](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02019R0945-20250624)
- **Compliance with Manufacturer's Instructions** (UAS.OPEN.060(2)(e)) — binding law; EU/EASA framework rule; National binding rule — binding law. During the flight, the remote pilot must operate the UAS in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, including any applicable limitations. [Official source](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02019R0945-20250624)

Last verified: 2026-08-23.

## Operating rules

### Altitude limits

- Question: What is the maximum drone altitude in Spain?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: The general height limit that applies to drone flights, and what changes it.

Drone flights in Spain are held to a published general height limit of 120 m above_nearest_obstacle. The limit is not absolute: the published conditions that change it are cited below.

Published figures:

- General height limit: 120 m (binding law)
- Reference datum: above_nearest_obstacle (binding law)

Operating categories distinguished by the published rules: certified, open, specific.

What changes the answer:

- Flight altitude at or below 120 m (altitude)
- Flight altitude below 120 m (altitude)

Rules behind this answer:

- **Equipment exemption for specific and certified categories up to 120 meters** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 35) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. General airspace equipment requirements are not applicable to UAS operated in the specific or certified categories outside UAS geographical zones at or below 120 meters, unless required by EU law. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 35 - section overview** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 35) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. This article establishes the equipment requirements for UAS operating in Spain, distinguishing between operations inside UAS geographical zones and those outside them, and provides specific exemptions for the open category and certain low-altitude operations in the specific and certified categories. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Vertical Limits of Essential Services Geographical Zones** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 39) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. The vertical boundary of an essential services geographical zone extends to a minimum height of 50 meters above the highest point of the affected infrastructure or installation. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Article 4 - section overview** (Article 4) — binding law; EU/EASA framework rule; National binding rule — binding law. This section establishes the classification requirements for UAS operations in the 'open' category, defining limits on aircraft class, maximum take-off mass, operational distance from people, visual line of sight, maximum altitude, and cargo restrictions, as well as dividing the category into three sub-categories. [Official source](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02019R0945-20250624)
- **Class C0 Maximum Attainable Height Limit** (Annex Part 1 (3)) — binding law; EU/EASA framework rule; EU regulation — binding law. A class C0 UAS must have its maximum attainable height above the take-off point limited to 120 m. [Official source](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02019R0945-20250624)
- **Compliance with Open Category Operational Limitations** (Article 7(1)) — binding law; EU/EASA framework rule; EU regulation — binding law. UAS operations in the 'open' category must comply with the operational limitations set out in Part A of the Annex. [Official source](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02019R0945-20250624)
- **Criteria for Determining Unmitigated Ground and Air Risks** (Article 11(4)) — binding law; EU/EASA framework rule; National binding rule — binding law. The risk identification must determine the unmitigated ground risk and unmitigated air risk based on specified operational, environmental, and airspace criteria. [Official source](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02019R0945-20250624)

Last verified: 2026-08-23.

### Operational authorisation

- Question: When does a drone operation need authorisation in Spain?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: When an operation needs prior authorisation, and how that authorisation is obtained.

Whether an operation in Spain needs prior authorisation depends on the operational category, risk class or location: the published triggers below decide it.

Published figures:

- Application model: permit (binding law)

Operating categories distinguished by the published rules: certified, open, specific.

What changes the answer:

- Flight altitude at or below 120 m (altitude)
- Pilot age at or above 16 years (pilot certification)

Rules behind this answer:

- **Annulment of UAS transfer reporting obligation** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 55) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. The obligation to report the transfer of registered unmanned aircraft to the registry is null and void following a Supreme Court ruling. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Equipment exemption for open category outside geographical zones** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 35) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. General airspace equipment requirements are not applicable to UAS operated in the open category outside UAS geographical zones. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Equipment exemption for specific and certified categories up to 120 meters** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 35) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. General airspace equipment requirements are not applicable to UAS operated in the specific or certified categories outside UAS geographical zones at or below 120 meters, unless required by EU law. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Equipment requirements in UAS geographical zones** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 35) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. UAS operating within UAS geographical zones must comply with the equipment requirements established for the respective zone. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Exemption for Infrastructure Owners and Managers** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 39) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. The prohibitions and limitations on operating within essential services geographical zones do not apply to UAS operations conducted directly or indirectly by the owner or responsible manager of the infrastructure. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Exemption from coordination procedure for urgent operations near private aerodromes** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 44) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. UAS operations in non-EASA activities do not require the coordination procedure of Article 43 near private-use aerodromes or heliports if the operation is urgent, unplannable, and covered by an operational risk assessment with equivalent safety mitigations. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Exemption from UAS geographical zone conditions for national security and public safety operations** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 44) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. UAS geographical zone conditions near aerodromes, heliports, controlled airspace, and FIZ do not apply to urgent national security, anti-terrorism, or public safety operations conducted by authorized public bodies, provided they coordinate in real-time with ATS. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Exemptions for Public Security, Emergency, and Non-EASA Operations** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 39) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. The operational restrictions do not apply to railway operations by security forces, customs, intelligence, or traffic authorities when required by the mission, nor to non-EASA operations at other essential infrastructures, provided mitigation measures are taken. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)

Limitations of this coverage:

- 1 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-08-23.

## Airspace and geographical zones

### Aerodromes and controlled airspace

- Question: Can I fly a drone near an airport in Spain?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: What permission or distance applies around aerodromes and in controlled airspace.

Drone flights near aerodromes in Spain are governed by airspace and aerodrome restrictions: whether permission is needed depends on the airspace, distance or aerodrome type published below.

Operating categories distinguished by the published rules: open.

What changes the answer:

- Horizontal clearance of 10 m (other)
- Horizontal clearance of 25 m (other)
- Vertical clearance of 50 m (other)

Rules behind this answer:

- **Coordination Procedure in UAS Geographical Zones** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 36) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. When a UAS geographical zone requires coordination with aerodrome/heliport managers or ATS providers, this coordination must be established in accordance with the operational procedure set out in Article 43. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Equipment exemption for open category outside geographical zones** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 35) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. General airspace equipment requirements are not applicable to UAS operated in the open category outside UAS geographical zones. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Exemption from coordination procedure for urgent operations near private aerodromes** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 44) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. UAS operations in non-EASA activities do not require the coordination procedure of Article 43 near private-use aerodromes or heliports if the operation is urgent, unplannable, and covered by an operational risk assessment with equivalent safety mitigations. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Exemption from UAS geographical zone conditions for national security and public safety operations** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 44) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. UAS geographical zone conditions near aerodromes, heliports, controlled airspace, and FIZ do not apply to urgent national security, anti-terrorism, or public safety operations conducted by authorized public bodies, provided they coordinate in real-time with ATS. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Exemptions for Public Security, Emergency, and Non-EASA Operations** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 39) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. The operational restrictions do not apply to railway operations by security forces, customs, intelligence, or traffic authorities when required by the mission, nor to non-EASA operations at other essential infrastructures, provided mitigation measures are taken. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **General equipment requirements outside UAS geographical zones** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 35) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. Outside UAS geographical zones, UAS must carry the equipment required for the airspace in which they operate, in accordance with applicable air rules. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Horizontal Limits of Essential Services Geographical Zones** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 39) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. The horizontal boundary of an essential services geographical zone extends 25 meters from the outer edges of linear infrastructures, or 10 meters from the covered surface of non-linear infrastructures, measured from the outer fence if present. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 38 - section overview** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 38) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. This section defines general UAS geographical zones established for reasons of military security, National Defense, and State security, and mandates that operating UAS within these zones or active military deployment areas requires prior express permission from the responsible entity or the Ministry of Defense. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)

Limitations of this coverage:

- 2 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-08-23.

## Insurance

### Insurance

- Question: Do I need drone insurance in Spain?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: Whether third-party liability insurance is mandatory, and from which threshold.

Drone insurance in Spain is published with a minimum third-party cover of 20 kg. Whether cover is required for a given flight depends on the published conditions below.

Published figures:

- Weight threshold: 20 kg (binding law)

Operating categories distinguished by the published rules: open, specific.

What changes the answer:

- Take-off mass below 20 kg (weight threshold)
- Take-off mass at or above 20 kg (weight threshold)

Rules behind this answer:

- **Flexibility in insurance policy modality** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 8) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. The insurance policy or financial guarantee for UAS under 20 kg may be established continuously for the operator's activity, or individually for each operation or group of operations. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Insurance coverage through federations, clubs, or associations** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 8) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. The insurance requirement is met if the operator's civil liabilities are covered under a policy or guarantee subscribed by a federation, sports entity, association, club, or equivalent legally constituted entity. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Insurance exemption for other UAS under 20 kg (Open A1 and A3)** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 8) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. UAS operations with an MTOM under 20 kg that do not fall under Open A2, Specific, or Certified categories (such as Open A1 and A3) are exempt from the insurance obligations of Ley 48/1960. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Insurance requirement for UAS under 20 kg in Open A2, Specific, and Certified categories** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 8) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. UAS operators with aircraft under 20 kg MTOM operating in Open A2, Specific, or Certified categories must maintain an insurance policy or financial guarantee covering civil liability under Ley 48/1960. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Mandatory Third-Party Liability Insurance** (Ley 48/1960, art. 127) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. Third-party liability insurance is mandatory for aircraft operating in Spain. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Minimum insurance requirement for UAS of 20 kg or more** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 8) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. UAS operators with aircraft having an MTOM of 20 kg or more must be insured in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 785/2004. [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 8 - section overview** (Real Decreto 517/2024, art. 8) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. This section establishes the minimum insurance obligations for UAS operators in Spain, distinguishing between UAS of 20 kg or more (subject to EU Regulation 785/2004) and UAS under 20 kg (subject to Spanish Ley 48/1960 in Open A2, Specific, and Certified categories, while exempting Open A1 and A3). [Official source](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>)
- **Contents of an Operational Authorisation Application** (UAS.SPEC.030) — binding law; EU/EASA framework rule; National binding rule — binding law. The application for an operational authorisation shall be based on the risk assessment referred to in Article 11 and shall include the specified operator registration, manager name, risk assessment, mitigation measures, operations manual (if required), and insurance confirmation. [Official source](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02019R0945-20250624)

Limitations of this coverage:

- Binding law and official guidance disagree on insurance.exceptions; the binding position is published.
- 2 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-08-23.

## Visual line of sight (VLOS)

Requirement (acceptable means of compliance / guidance material, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)): VLOS is determined by whether the remote pilot can keep the unmanned aircraft in unaided visual contact. EASA guidance treats the maximum possible VLOS distance as the smaller of the attitude line of sight (ALOS) and the detection line of sight (DLOS); anything beyond that is BVLOS.

- Distance: Depends on aircraft size and visibility
- What that means: European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) publishes a method for working this out. The requirement to fly within visual line of sight is itself binding; it is this way of calculating a practical distance that comes from acceptable means of compliance / guidance material, so the result is not a statutory maximum in itself.
- Legal status of the governing material: acceptable means of compliance / guidance material (not a statutory maximum in itself)
- Governing layer: inherited framework (eu-easa)
- Depends on: the aircraft's characteristic dimension
- Depends on: the ground visibility at the site
- Published expression: ALOSmax = 327 x CD + 20 m
- Published expression: ALOSmax = 490 x CD + 30 m
- Published expression: DLOSmax = 0.3 x ground visibility
- Worked example published by the authority: 1 m (rotary wing) — 347 m
- Worked example published by the authority: 1 m (fixed wing) — 520 m
- Worked example published by the authority: 2 m (rotary wing) — 674 m
- Worked example published by the authority: 2 m (fixed wing) — 1010 m
- Worked example published by the authority: 3 m (rotary wing) — 1000 m
- Worked example published by the authority: 3 m (fixed wing) — 1500 m
- Worked example published by the authority: 3.5 m (rotary wing) — 1164.5 m
- Worked example published by the authority: 3.5 m (fixed wing) — 1500 m
- Worked example published by the authority: 4 m (rotary wing) — 1328 m
- Worked example published by the authority: 4 m (fixed wing) — 1500 m
- Worked example published by the authority: 4.53 m (rotary wing) — 1500 m
- Worked example published by the authority: 4.53 m (fixed wing) — 1500 m

- Visual observer: An observer may assist the remote pilot, but the remote pilot remains responsible for maintaining visual line of sight and the operating range is not extended.
  - Legal status: acceptable means of compliance / guidance material (inherited framework)
- First-person view (FPV): UA observers may also be used when the remote pilot conducts UAS operations in first-person view (FPV). In any case, including during FPV operations, the remote pilot is still responsible for the safety of the flight. (acceptable means of compliance / guidance material)
  - The remote pilot remains responsible for the safety of the flight at all times.
  - A UA observer may be used and must be situated alongside the remote pilot.
- Visibility: Visibility is part of the published method: DLOSmax = 0.3 x ground visibility

Layers that apply:

- Inherited (eu-easa), acceptable means of compliance / guidance material, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA): VLOS is determined by whether the remote pilot can keep the unmanned aircraft in unaided visual contact. EASA guidance treats the maximum possible VLOS distance as the smaller of the attitude line of sight (ALOS) and the detection line of sight (DLOS); anything beyond that is BVLOS.
  - Method: The maximum possible distance results from the smaller value of ALOS and DLOS. Anything beyond that is considered BVLOS.

VLOS sources:

- [Easy Access Rules for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Revision from June 2026 - Annex to AMC3 UAS.SPEC.030(3)(e), A.5.2.5-A.5.2.6; GM1 UAS.OPEN.060(4)](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/easy-access-rules/easy-access-rules-unmanned-aircraft-systems) — European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); acceptable means of compliance / guidance material, last verified 2026-09-07

## Official sources

- [Real Decreto 517/2024, de 4 de junio, por el que se desarrolla el regimen juridico para la utilizacion civil de sistemas de aeronaves no tripuladas (UAS)](<https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/xml.php?id=BOE-A-2024-11377#refs=art.%2034%7Cart.%2035%7Cart.%2036%7Cart.%2037%7Cart.%2038%7Cart.%2039%7Cart.%2040%7Cart.%2041%7Cart.%2042%7Cart.%2043%7Cart.%2044%7Cart.%2045%7Cart.%2046%7Cart.%2047%7Cart.%2048%7Cart.%2049%7Cart.%2050%7Cart.%2051%7Cart.%2052%7Cart.%2053%7Cart.%2054%7Cart.%2055%7Cart.%2056%7Cart.%2057%7Cart.%2058%7Cart.%203%7Cart.%206%7Cart.%208%7Cart.%2015%7Cart.%2016%7Cart.%2020%7Cart.%2021%7Cart.%2022%7Cart.%2063%7CDT%201%7CDT%202%7CDT%203%7CDT%204%7CDD%201>) — Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aerea; Secondary legislation — binding law
- [Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02019R0945-20250624) — National binding rule — binding law; last verified 2026-08-22

## Verification

- Sources last verified: 2026-10-04
- Page built: 2026-10-07
- Regulations change. Where a statement says a value is unverified or not published, that describes the official material reviewed so far, not a finding that no such rule exists; please reproduce such caveats as caveats.
- A rule shown here applies to this jurisdiction and to the operation described. Do not generalise it to other countries or to other categories of operation.
- Site map for agents: [https://droneassistant.com/llms.txt](https://droneassistant.com/llms.txt)
