Drones are legal in Saudi Arabia but are strictly regulated, with both recreational and commercial use requiring adherence to GACA regulations. Drones weighing 250 grams or more must be registered with GACA, with a certificate valid for 3 years and a unique registration ID affixed to the drone. All drone pilots must hold a GACA…
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Under Law 216 of 2017, Egypt requires a Defense Ministry permit to own or operate a drone, effectively banning recreational use without authorization. Importing or bringing a drone into Egypt without prior approval is illegal, and customs routinely confiscate unapproved drones on entry. Only the smallest “toy” drones are exempt from permits, defined as ≤150…
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Drones weighing over 0.55 pounds (250 grams) must be registered with the FAA for $5 every three years, via the FAA Drone Zone, and drones under 250 grams used recreationally are exempt from registration but commercial use still requires it. FAA rules cap small drones at 400 feet AGL, require visual line of sight at…
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The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) is the primary agency regulating drone use in Qatar. Drone flights require prior authorization from the QCAA, and casual hobby flying is effectively prohibited without permission. Recreational drone use is limited to Qatari citizens and residents who obtain a QCAA permit, with tourists unable to fly. Drone registration has…
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In May 2025, ANAC issued Resolution 319/2025 introducing RAAC Part 100, modernizing drone rules and adopting the Latin American Aeronautical Regulations (LAR) to replace Resolution 880/2019. Recreational drone pilots in Argentina may fly without a license, but must be at least 18 years old (16–17 may fly only under adult supervision). Recreational flights are limited…
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Since 31 December 2020, Ireland follows EU drone rules (Regulations 2019/947 and 2019/945) enforced by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). Drones are categorized by risk as Open, Specific, and Certified, with Open and Specific covering most operations today. Operator registration is required for drones 250 g or heavier or any drone with a camera, costs…
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Drones in Sydney are regulated primarily by CASA nationwide under Part 101, with NSW state laws and local council bylaws adding extra restrictions. For recreational use, you don’t need a license or registration, but you must follow CASA safety rules including a maximum altitude of 120 meters, staying at least 30 meters from people, never…
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Drone operator registration is mandatory in Austria via Austro Control’s Dronespace, with a typical fee of €30–32 and a registration valid for 3 years. The Drone License (Drohnenführerschein) includes an A1/A3 basic certificate and an A2 certificate; both are EU-wide and valid for 5 years after online training and exams. Drones under 250 g with…
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The UAE launched the UAE Drone One-Stop Platform, drones.gov.ae, in late 2024 to centralize pilot and drone registration, flight approvals, training information, and incident reporting, with full cross-emirate rollout by mid-2025. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport issued Administrative Decision No. 48 of 2024 on April 5, 2024, regulating civil drone use in the…
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Royal Decree 517/2024, enacted June 25, 2024, overhauled Spain’s drone laws to fully align with the EU and introduced an Interior Ministry urban-flight notification, while operator registrations now last 3 years. Urban-flight notification requires informing the Interior Ministry at least 5 days before any flight in an urban area such as Barcelona. The Geographical Zones…
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