Drone laws in Portugal (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: Portugal applies the EU drone rules, with ANAC as the competent authority. Operators register for drones of 250 g or more or with a data-capturing sensor, and the maximum height is 120 m. The national insurance and minimum-age rules could not be confirmed on an official page.

RuleWhat applies
Operator registrationRecreational flying (open category)The operator registers in the EU state where a person lives (or a company is established). Required in the open category if the drone has a take-off mass of 250 g or more (or can transfer more than 80 joules to a person on impact), or has a sensor able to capture personal data, unless it complies with the EU Toys Directive. Portugal's competent authority is ANAC. [1]
Pilot competencyRecreational flying (open category)Subcategory A1 or A3: read the manufacturer's manual; for class C1 (A1) and for A3, complete the online training and pass the online theory exam (40 questions) given by the authority or a recognised body. Subcategory A2: remote pilot certificate (online training, self-training on A3 conditions, and a second theory exam of at least 30 questions). [1]
Liability insuranceRecreational flying (open category)⚠ Not yet verified
Minimum age to flyRecreational flying (open category)⚠ Not yet verified
Minimum age to register as operator⚠ Not yet verified
Maximum heightRecreational flying (open category)120 m [1]
Remote IDRecreational flying (open category)In the open category, drones of class C1 (subcategory A1), C2 (A2 and A3) and C3 (A3) must be flown with electronic remote identification and geo-awareness active and up to date. [1]

Notes

  • This is the text of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 as originally published. The ANAC website could not be reached from the server, so ANAC's own registration page was not read.
  • This is the EU text as originally published. The competent authority (ANAC) or a body it recognises provides the training and exams.
  • Decree-Law 58/2018 article 10, read on the PGDL consolidated text, requires civil liability insurance for drones with a maximum operational mass above 900 g (not for operators with sports-activity liability insurance). The field cannot express a weight threshold, so it is not set. The ANAC page was not reachable.
  • Regulation 2019/947 article 9 sets 16 years and lets states lower it. Decree-Law 87/2021 gives ANAC the decision on a reduction, and ANAC's decision could not be read.
  • No official page stating a minimum age for operators in Portugal was found.
  • This is the text as originally published; the later class-label and transition rules were not read.

Sources

  1. European Union (Publications Office): Regulamento de Execução (UE) 2019/947 da Comissão, de 24 de maio de 2019, relativo às regras e aos procedimentos para a operação de aeronaves não tripuladas (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.