Competent Authority
In Spain, drone operations are regulated by the AESA (Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea), the Spanish State Aviation Safety Agency, operating under the Ministry of Transport. AESA is responsible for transposing and enforcing EU Regulation (EU) 2019/947, issuing operational authorisations, certifying training organisations, and maintaining Spain's UAS geographical zones registry. AESA also coordinates with the ENAIRE air navigation service provider for airspace management matters.
Registration and Marking
All drone operators in Spain must register via the InfoDRON portal (infodron.es), AESA's dedicated UAS platform. Registration is required for:
- Any drone weighing 250 g or more.
- Any drone carrying a sensor capable of capturing imagery or personal data, regardless of weight.
Upon registration, the operator receives a unique identifier (número de registro de operador) that must be affixed to each aircraft in a visible and durable manner. The InfoDRON portal also serves as the central hub for flight notifications in controlled or restricted airspace, pilot competency records, and authorisation requests.
Remote Pilot Certifications
Spain implements the full EASA competency framework:
- Open A1/A3: Free online training and a 40-question theoretical examination available directly through the InfoDRON portal, with a 75% pass mark.
- Open A2: Online theoretical exam (extended, 30 questions on technical and operational topics) plus a self-declared practical skills assessment.
- Specific category: Requires adoption of an AESA-recognised Standard Scenario (STS) or submission of an individual Operational Authorisation with a full SORA. STS operations require both a recognised EASA theoretical competency examination and a practical proficiency assessment at an AESA-approved DTO or ATO. Pilots holding the French CATS (Certificat d'Aptitude Théorique de Télépilote — which replaced the CATT on 1 January 2026) are recognised in Spain under EU mutual recognition.
Categories of Operations
| Category | Conditions | Key limits |
|---|---|---|
| Open | No authorisation required | Max 120 m AGL, VLOS, max 25 kg |
| Specific | AESA authorisation or STS | Operations manual, risk assessment required |
| Certified | Full airworthiness | Equivalent to manned aircraft regulation |
Spain has also published national PDRA (Pre-Defined Risk Assessment) scenarios tailored to common professional use cases such as infrastructure inspection and agricultural surveying, enabling operators to access the Specific category with reduced administrative effort.
Restricted Zones and Official Resources
The InfoDRON platform (web and mobile app) is Spain's official airspace awareness and flight notification tool. It integrates:
- ENAIRE's CTR, TMA, and restricted zone data updated in real time.
- Dynamic temporary restrictions published via NOTAM.
- Geo-zone overlays compliant with EU Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664.
Key restrictions in Spain include:
- National parks: Overflights of Spain's national parks (Parques Nacionales) are generally prohibited or require specific authorisation from the park management authority (OAPN), in addition to AESA authorisation.
- Canary Islands: The islands' unique airspace structure, proximity to international airports, and ecological sensitivity (UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, National Parks on Teide, Timanfaya, etc.) create heightened restrictions. Local coordination with ENAIRE Canarias is essential.
- Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal zones: During summer months (typically June–September), many popular coastal areas implement temporary no-fly zones to protect beaches, maritime traffic, and natural habitats. These restrictions are published by AESA and local coastal authorities.
- Proximity to aerodromes, military installations, prisons, and nuclear power plants follows standard EASA exclusion distances.
National Specifics
Spain has several regulatory characteristics worth noting:
- InfoDRON is both a registration portal and an operational interface, meaning flight notifications for certain airspace types can be submitted directly without contacting air traffic control by phone.
- The Canary Islands effectively function as a distinct operational environment, with tighter coordination requirements due to the density of tourist activity, volcanic terrain, and proximity to ENAIRE-managed international corridors.
- Seasonal coastal restrictions are a uniquely Spanish feature not present in the base EASA framework. Operators working in the tourism and media sectors must plan operations well in advance during summer.
- Privacy regulations under the Spanish LOPDGDD (national GDPR implementation) apply to all aerial data collection. Commercial operators must inform subjects and may require data protection impact assessments for systematic surveillance-like operations.
- Agricultural drone operations (precision spraying, crop monitoring) benefit from a simplified Specific authorisation track coordinated between AESA and the Ministry of Agriculture.