Spain’s 2025 Drone Laws Revealed: 8 Critical Rules Every Pilot Must Know

by Marcin Frąckiewicz
in Uncategorized
on 18 June 2025

National Regulations for Recreational vs. Commercial Use

Unified EU Framework: Spain’s drone laws are now largely governed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations that took effect at the end of 2020 seguridadaerea.gob.es. These EU rules introduced a risk-based approach, replacing the old distinction between “recreational” (hobby) and “commercial” drone flights. Instead of separate rules for hobbyists vs. professionals, operations are classified into three categories by risk: Open, Specific, and Certified grupooneair.com. The Open category covers low-risk flights (most consumer drones and typical hobby use), Specific covers medium-risk operations requiring authorization or a declaration (often applicable to more complex or higher-altitude commercial uses), and Certified is for the highest-risk operations (like drone deliveries of people or dangerous goods) that require full certification of the drone, operator, and a licensed pilot grupooneair.com grupooneair.com. In short, both recreational and commercial pilots must adhere to the same EU-based rules corresponding to their operation’s risk level, rather than a separate set of laws just because one is “commercial.”

Spain’s National Law: In addition to the EU framework, Spain implemented a new national drone law in mid-2024 (Royal Decree 517/2024) to supplement EU regulations seguridadaerea.gob.es. This decree repealed the older 2017 Spanish drone law and provides more detailed rules tailored to Spain’s airspace and security needs seguridadaerea.gob.es. Notably, it eliminated the old recreational vs. professional zoning distinction, creating a unified set of rules for all civilian drone use seguridadaerea.gob.es. In practice, this means whether you’re flying for fun or for business, the same operational restrictions apply in equivalent situations. However, certain higher-risk activities (like night urban filming, beyond-visual-line-of-sight mapping, etc.) will push you into the Specific category, which often aligns with what used to be “professional” operations and thus requires extra permissions.

Spain’s aviation authority, AESA (Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea), is the body overseeing drone compliance. AESA enforces the rules and can issue penalties for violations seguridadaerea.gob.es. In summary: both hobbyists and commercial operators in Spain must follow EASA’s rules (Open/Specific/Certified categories) as implemented by AESA, with no separate “hobby law” versus “commercial law.” The new Spanish framework ensures stability and legal clarity for all drone pilots seguridadaerea.gob.es seguridadaerea.gob.es.

Drone Registration, Pilot Licensing, and Labeling Requirements

Operator Registration: Spain requires virtually all drone operators to register before flying. If you reside in Spain (or if you’re a foreign operator whose first EU flying destination is Spain), you must register as a UAS operator with AESA via its online portal en.kosupatravel.com seguridadaerea.gob.es. This registration is mandatory for both recreational and commercial users when using any drone weighing 250g or more, or any drone with a camera (which covers most modern drones) en.kosupatravel.com. The registration process will issue you an operator identification number, which must be affixed to your drone in a visible manner (e.g. via durable sticker, engraving, or QR code) grupo-uas.com en.kosupatravel.com. Flying without displaying this number on the aircraft can result in a fine grupo-uas.com. Note: If you’re already registered in another EASA-member country, that registration is valid in Spain – you should not register twice seguridadaerea.gob.es seguridadaerea.gob.es, but you still need to mark your drone with your existing operator ID.

Pilot Licensing / Competency: Spain and EU law don’t issue traditional “pilot licenses” for most drone hobbyists, but they do require pilot competency certificates for certain drones and operations. For the Open category (low-risk flights), remote pilots must pass online training and exams corresponding to the subcategory:

For basic A1/A3 subcategory (e.g. drones under 25kg operated away from people), you must pass the AESA Level 1 online theory exam, which is a basic test on drone safety rules grupooneair.com grupooneair.com. This certificate is required at minimum for drones 250g or heavier, and even for lighter drones if they have a camera.
For A2 subcategory (drones up to 4kg operating closer to people), an additional Level 2 exam/certificate is required grupooneair.com. This involves more in-depth knowledge because A2 allows flights closer to bystanders under certain conditions.
If you plan to fly in the Specific category (moderate risk, e.g. beyond visual line of sight or higher altitudes), you’ll need to obtain a higher level of training (AESA’s Level 3 exam or equivalent) and potentially an operational authorization from AESA grupooneair.com grupooneair.com. Specific category pilots often must conduct a risk assessment (SORA) and apply for permission for each operation unless using a “standard scenario” template authorization.

All training and exams for Spain are offered via AESA (primarily in Spanish) and result in certificates that are recognized across Europe seguridadaerea.gob.es. If you obtained a drone competency certificate (like an A1/A3 or A2 certificate) in another EASA country, Spain will honor it for operations here seguridadaerea.gob.es – you do not need to retake exams, just ensure you carry proof of your certification.

Drone Labeling: As noted, Spanish regulations require you to label your drone with your registration ID. Historically, Spain also required a fireproof identification plate on the drone (and even on the controller) that included the operator’s name, address, and contact information uavcoach.com grupooneair.com. Under the latest EU-aligned rules, the emphasis is on marking the operator registration number on the aircraft grupo-uas.com. Many pilots still use a small metal or laminated fireproof tag or sticker containing their operator ID and contact info affixed to the drone – this meets the requirement and helps recover your drone if lost. Additionally, new drones sold in Europe come with an official class identification label (C0, C1, C2, etc.) indicating their category and built-in safety features. While not something the pilot labels, it’s important for pilots to know their drone’s class marking because it determines which subcategory (A1/A2/A3) they can fly in. For example, a DJI Mini 3 (under 250g) is Class C0 and can be flown in A1 (over people, with restrictions), whereas a Mavic 3 might be Class C2, requiring A2 and certain distances from people anpd.es. Always check your drone’s documentation for its class marking, and ensure you meet the training and operational rules for that class.

Airspace Restrictions: No-Fly Zones, Altitudes, and Proximity Rules

Flying a drone in Spain means you must be mindful of airspace rules – there are strict limits on how high you can fly, where you can fly, and how close you can get to people, airports, and urban areas:

Altitude Limit: Drones in Spain cannot be flown above 120 meters (394 feet) from ground level, as per EU-wide regulation uavcoach.com grupo-uas.com. This 120m ceiling applies to both recreational and commercial flights in the Open category. (Exceptions require specific authorization in the Specific category or if flying near a tall structure – and even then you can only go 15m above that structure’s height uavcoach.com.) The limit exists to keep drones well below manned aircraft altitudes and reduce collision risk grupo-uas.com. If you ever encounter a manned aircraft (helicopter, plane) near your drone, you must immediately give way – descend and land ASAP grupooneair.com.
Visual Line of Sight (VLOS): You must keep your drone within your own visual line of sight at all times (i.e. where you can see it with unaided eyes) grupooneair.com grupooneair.com. First-person-view (FPV) flying with goggles is allowed only if a spotter is present who maintains VLOS, or if using a “follow me” automated mode where you still have situational awareness grupooneair.com. Flying beyond line of sight (BVLOS) is not allowed in the Open category; it requires a Specific category operation with a special authorization.
Restricted Zones & No-Fly Areas: Huge areas of Spain are designated as no-fly or restricted zones for drones. You cannot fly near or over sensitive sites like airports/airfields, military bases, strategic infrastructure, prisons, or anywhere a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) temporarily restricts airspace grupo-uas.com. For example, you must stay well clear of airports: at least 8 kilometers away from any airport or aerodrome to avoid intruding into controlled airspace grupooneair.com. (For small uncontrolled airfields or heliports the required distance might be a bit less, but 8 km is a safe general rule.) If you have specific approval for a high-risk operation like beyond visual range, even then Spain requires up to 15 km distance from airports uavcoach.com. Urban center flights are heavily restricted – more on that in the next section. Additionally, you may not fly in national parks or nature reserves without special permission. Spain requires explicit authorization from AESA to operate in national parks uavcoach.com grupooneair.com, and many wildlife or environmentally protected areas are completely off-limits to drones to avoid disturbing fauna. Always consult official maps (see ENAIRE below) to identify prohibited or restricted airspace before flying.
Distance from People and Property: It is illegal to fly over crowds or gatherings of people (such as concerts, protests, busy beaches) under any normal circumstances grupooneair.com. Even flying over a few uninvolved people is heavily restricted: in the Open category, direct overflight of uninvolved persons is only allowed for the tiniest drones (<250g), and even then it should be avoided if possible. For larger drones, you must maintain horizontal safety distances. As a rule of thumb, keep at least 50 meters away from any bystanders not involved in your operation uavcoach.com. In fact, the Open category A3 (which most >250g hobby drones fall into if you don’t have an A2 cert) effectively means no flying in populated areas at all – you should stay 150 meters or more from residential, commercial, or industrial areas uavcoach.com. This 150m guideline is used to ensure you’re truly in an open, uninhabited area. The only time you can fly in an “urban environment” in the Open category is if you have a very lightweight drone (sub-250g) in subcategory A1 – and even then, new Spanish rules now require a prior notification (see next section). Always err on the side of more distance: maintain a wide berth from buildings, vehicles, roads, and people to stay within the law and to protect privacy.
Daytime Only (generally): Flying at night is generally not permitted in the Open category unless your drone is under 2 kg and you stay below 50m altitude uavcoach.com. For heavier or more advanced operations, you’d need Specific category approval to fly at night. In practice, most casual pilots in Spain only fly during daylight hours. Always ensure sufficient lighting and weather conditions (no heavy fog, rain, or strong winds) for safe flight grupooneair.com.

Checking No-Fly Zones: Spain’s airspace has many localized restrictions – from temporary no-fly zones for events to permanent ones around critical infrastructure or nature reserves. Never take off without checking the official UAS airspace maps. Spain’s air navigation service, ENAIRE, provides an official drone map and mobile app (“ENAIRE Drones”) which highlights all restricted and prohibited areas in real-time uavcoach.com en.kosupatravel.com. Do not rely on your drone manufacturer’s app (e.g. DJI’s geofencing) alone, as it may not show all Spanish restrictions en.kosupatravel.com. For example, the ENAIRE Drone map for a city like Barcelona shows numerous no-fly and restricted zones (red and yellow zones covering airports, helipads, city center, parks, etc.) that must be avoided. In contrast, the default map in a DJI app might display far fewer restricted areas, potentially misleading pilotsen.kosupatravel.com. Always use the official ENAIRE map (or AESA’s published UAS geographical zone data) to determine where you can or cannot fly. By law, many “zones” in Spain are defined where drones are limited or forbidden for safety, security, or privacy reasonsseguridadaerea.gob.esseguridadaerea.gob.es – the onus is on the pilot to consult these maps before each flight. Violating a no-fly zone (even unintentionally) can result in serious penalties.

Local and Regional Restrictions in Spain

In addition to nationwide rules, be aware of local restrictions that may apply in certain cities or regions of Spain:

Municipal and Regional Regulations: Spain’s autonomous communities and local authorities have some power to regulate drone activities in their jurisdictions. Regional or city governments can designate local no-fly zones or require permits for take-off/landing in certain areas uavcoach.com. For example, a city may prohibit drones from taking off in public parks, near government buildings, or over beaches for safety or privacy reasons. Always research the local rules of your destination. Some cities (like Barcelona, Madrid, etc.) publish drone guidelines on their websites, and island territories or special regions (e.g. the Canary Islands, Balearics) may have unique rules for environmental protection. When in doubt, contact the local town hall or tourism office for guidance, especially if you plan to fly in urban areas.
Urban Flight Notifications: Under the new 2024 Spanish regulations, any drone flight in an “urban environment” requires prior notification to the Ministry of Interior. This is a significant change. Previously, under the old law, hobbyists could fly a sub-250g drone under 20m high in a city without needing special notice anpd.es. Now, Article 40 of Royal Decree 517/2024 mandates a procedure to inform Interior authorities before flying even in Open category (A1, A2, A3) over an urban area anpd.es. In practice, this means if you plan to fly your drone within a town or city (where uninvolved people or buildings are nearby), you must fill out an online form or email a notice with details of your flight to the Ministry of Interior in advance. This allows law enforcement to be aware of legal drone operations and differentiate them from rogue drones. Important: As of early 2025, the implementation of this urban notification process is still being adjusted – AESA has acknowledged there wasn’t initially a dedicated form for Open category urban flight notifications anpd.es. Pilots and associations are working to streamline this, but for now, be prepared to comply by emailing the required information (flight location, time, pilot/operator info, etc.) to the designated Interior Ministry contact if you’ll fly over urban areas. Failing to do so could mean your urban flight is considered illegal.
No-Fly Zones Requested by Local Authorities: Spain’s new framework allows for “particular UAS zones” to be established for public safety, security, privacy, or environmental reasons seguridadaerea.gob.es. These can be proposed by state or regional authorities. For instance, if a city hosts a large event (festival, sporting event) they might request a temporary drone no-fly zone. Or a regional government might designate drone exclusion zones around certain cultural heritage sites or wildlife areas. These will appear in the ENAIRE/AESA database of UAS geographical zones. One example: during major events like the 2024 America’s Cup in Barcelona, police (Mossos d’Esquadra) enforced strict drone restrictions to protect the event airspace umilesgroup.com. Always check for any temporary flight restriction (TFR) or NOTAM before flying near events or VIP visits.
Permissions for Parks and Private Property: Even if airspace is not legally restricted, you may need permission from landowners or authorities to take off/land on certain property. For instance, Spain’s national parks require a permit from the park administration or AESA for drone use uavcoach.com. Many city parks or beaches have local ordinances against drone flights without permission. Additionally, flying over private property like hotels, resorts, or residential areas can raise privacy issues – property owners may pursue legal action under privacy or nuisance laws even if airspace rules aren’t broken. Always seek permission for takeoff/landing sites: if it’s a public space, check local city rules; if it’s private land, get the owner’s consent. As a general courtesy and legal precaution, avoid takeoffs in crowded public areas and don’t hover over someone’s house or over sunbathers on a beach. Spain’s data protection and privacy laws prohibit filming people without consent in private settings grupo-uas.com, and local police can intervene if a drone is causing alarm or potential danger.

In summary, drone pilots should do local homework: consult regional regulations, use the ENAIRE map for any special local zones, and when in urban areas, follow the new notification requirement. Spain’s regions can have subtle differences in enforcement, so what’s allowed in one province might be restricted in another. When traveling between regions, double-check the rules in each location to stay compliant uavcoach.com.

Insurance Requirements for Drone Operators

Liability Insurance for drones is a crucial consideration in Spain. While EU rules only mandate insurance for drones over 20 kg MTOM easa.europa.eu, Spain has historically required all drone operators – recreational and commercial alike – to carry third-party liability insurance for their flights. In fact, it has been widely cited as mandatory coverage for any drone, even those under 250g grupooneair.com umilesgroup.com. The purpose is to ensure that if your drone accidentally causes injury or property damage (e.g. crashing into a car or injuring someone), the victims can be compensated.

Under the new 2024 Royal Decree, Spain introduced an exemption for insurance in the Open category seguridadaerea.gob.es seguridadaerea.gob.es. This suggests that purely recreational or low-risk operations might no longer be legally obliged to have a policy. However, practically speaking, you should still have insurance. Many Spanish sources and drone professionals continue to emphasize that liability insurance is effectively required for all drone flights – especially any taking place in urban areas or higher-risk environments umilesgroup.com. In other words, even if the letter of the law may no longer force a hobby flyer with a tiny drone to buy insurance, it is strongly advised (and in some scenarios possibly required by other regulations or authorities) to be insured. Some specifics to note:

Commercial operators and anyone flying a drone for business must have insurance in Spain. If you’re being paid to fly (e.g. doing aerial photography for a client), operating without insurance could not only violate regulations but also expose you to huge personal liability.
For recreational pilots, insurance is highly recommended and often considered obligatory by insurance law interpretations. Policies are not very expensive and can save you from bankruptcy if an accident occurs.
Spain even requires insurance for drones under 250g if flown in scenarios that could pose risks grupooneair.com grupooneair.com. So don’t assume that being small gets you off the hook – a 249g drone can still injure someone or cause an accident.
The insurance should be a UAS third-party liability policy (typical coverage amounts range from €300,000 to €1 million or more). Standard travel or home insurance usually does not cover drone incidents en.kosupatravel.com. If you’re visiting Spain, check if your drone liability policy from home extends to international use; if not, consider buying coverage that does.

In summary, having drone insurance in Spain is effectively a must – for peace of mind and to comply with both explicit rules and the spirit of the law. The 2024 update aligning with EU law (no mandatory insurance under 20kg) does not mean Spanish authorities won’t expect you to be insured; most pilots continue to treat insurance as compulsory umilesgroup.com. Neglecting this could not only risk financial ruin in case of an accident but may also be considered an aggravating factor if you are caught violating drone rules. Always carry proof of your insurance when flying, as you may need to show it in the event of an incident or inspection.

Tourists and Foreign Drone Pilots in Spain

Spain is a popular destination for travel photography, and many visitors want to bring drones. Tourists and foreign pilots must follow the same laws as locals, with a few additional steps to be aware of:

Registration for Foreign Operators: If you are coming from outside the EU (a “third-country operator”) and plan to fly a drone in Spain, you must register with AESA as a drone operator before flying en.kosupatravel.com seguridadaerea.gob.es. Spain does not recognize non-EU registrations, so for example, an FAA registration from the US is not valid. The rule is that a third-country (non-EASA) operator has to register in the first EASA member state they intend to fly in seguridadaerea.gob.es. If Spain is your first stop in Europe with a drone, use AESA’s online registration system to get your operator ID. Be aware: the AESA registration interface is in Spanish only and can take days or weeks to process, so plan ahead en.kosupatravel.com. Some travelers choose to register in another EU country (like an English-friendly one) before coming to Spain – that is allowed, as any EU-issued operator ID is accepted EU-wide seguridadaerea.gob.es.
Licensing and Training for Foreign Pilots: Similarly, any pilot competency certificates or licenses must be issued by an EASA member state to be valid. If you hold a drone pilot certificate from your home country (e.g. Part 107 in the US), that will not exempt you from the EU training requirements. You’ll need to obtain the EU’s basic or additional certificates (A1/A3, A2, etc.) to legally fly, which can be done online. You may take the online exam with AESA (in Spanish) or any other EU country’s aviation authority that offers it in a language you prefer. Once you have an EU remote pilot certificate, it’s recognized in Spain and across all EASA states seguridadaerea.gob.es. Tourists often find it easiest to complete the basic online course and exam before traveling – for instance, some authorities (like in Ireland or Austria) offer the A1/A3 exam in English. In any case, do not skip the exam – flying without the required competency proof can lead to penalties if caught.
Bringing Your Drone Through Customs/Airport: Generally, Spain does not restrict bringing personal drones through customs for tourism, as long as it’s for your own use. Drones in carry-on luggage are allowed on most airlines (check your airline’s rules for batteries). There is no special import permit for a personal drone. Just ensure batteries are carried in hand luggage and are within airline watt-hour limits.
Insurance and Liability for Tourists: As mentioned in the insurance section, foreign pilots are subject to the same insurance expectations en.kosupatravel.com. Your travel insurance won’t cover drone liability, so you need a dedicated policy. Some global drone insurance providers offer short-term coverage in foreign countries – make sure Spain is covered. If your home policy covers worldwide, bring proof of it (in case authorities or investigators ask after an incident).
Local Guidelines and Etiquette: Tourists should be especially mindful of Spain’s numerous protected cultural and historical sites. Many popular tourist spots are drone no-fly zones (either by law or by local rules). For example, you cannot fly around landmarks like Sagrada Familia in Barcelona or the Alhambra in Granada – these areas either lie in restricted urban airspace or have local heritage protections. Always check the ENAIRE drone map for each site on your itinerary en.kosupatravel.com. In addition, even if flying legally, you may need permission from site managers: e.g. to fly at a beach, check if the local municipality allows it; to fly over a castle or ruin, you may need permission from the heritage authority en.kosupatravel.com. It’s wise for travelers to consult local tourist offices about drone use – they can inform you if any local permit process exists.
Privacy and Cultural Sensitivity: Be aware that privacy is taken seriously in Europe. Avoid flying directly over people or private property – not only for legal reasons but also out of respect. Locals may report a drone if they feel their privacy is invaded. Additionally, Spain’s culture around drones is still cautious; don’t be surprised if police or security approach you when you’re flying in a public place. As long as you’re compliant (registered, in a permitted area, following rules), you should not have issues – but always remain polite and cooperative if questioned, and keep your registration and papers handy.

In summary, foreign drone pilots in Spain must do everything a local pilot does and navigate language and procedural hurdles. Register in the EU, get an EU flyer ID and cert, have insurance, and follow all the same no-fly rules. There are no tourist exemptions – breaking drone laws as a foreigner carries the same penalties (or worse, you could be banned from flying or have your equipment confiscated). With good preparation, though, many tourists successfully fly drones in Spain’s beautiful locations. Just do your homework and when in doubt, ask AESA (they can be reached at [email protected] for queries en.kosupatravel.com).

Penalties for Violating Drone Laws

Spain has steep penalties for those who flout drone regulations – enforcement has been ramping up to ensure safety. Depending on the severity of the violation and whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, fines can range from relatively small to astronomically high:

Minor Infractions: For small breaches (e.g. failing to update your address on your registration, or flying a toy drone in a slightly restricted area without incident), individuals can be fined as low as about €60 up to a few hundred euros grupo-uas.com grupo-uas.com. These are typically “minor” administrative infractions.
Serious Violations: If you fly in a prohibited zone (like near an airport or over people) or without required registration/training, and especially if you endanger others, fines jump into the tens of thousands. Serious administrative infractions for private individuals carry fines roughly from €45,000 up to €90,000 grupo-uas.com. For example, flying a heavier drone over a city without permission or doing a commercial job without authorization could land you in this category.
Very Serious Violations: These include actions that could or did cause an accident, significant damage, or pose a real threat to aircraft or people – for instance, a drone collision with a manned aircraft, or a crash in a crowd causing injuries. A very serious offense for an individual hobbyist can lead to fines up to €225,000 grupo-uas.com grupo-uas.com. In extreme cases, especially if authorities deem the act intentional or gravely negligent, criminal charges could apply as well en.kosupatravel.com (for example, endangering air safety can be a crime).
Higher Fines for Professionals/Businesses: If you are operating commercially (or are a licensed operator who is expected to know better), the law holds you to a higher standard. Fines for certified drone pilots or companies can start around €4,500 for minor issues, and go much higher grupo-uas.com grupo-uas.com. Serious infringements by a company or professional operator can be fined up to €250,000, and very serious cases up to a staggering €4,500,000 grupo-uas.com grupo-uas.com. These massive penalties reflect incidents like operating a large drone airline without certification or gross negligence leading to a disaster.
Additional Consequences: Beyond fines, AESA has the authority to suspend or revoke authorizations. If you’re a registered operator or have certificates, those can be withdrawn if you violate rules. Equipment might be confiscated in certain cases (especially if used in a crime or without proper permission). Also, if privacy laws are violated (e.g. you filmed people in their home without consent), you could face separate penalties under data protection laws grupo-uas.com. Tourists note: being foreign won’t save you from fines; Spanish authorities can pursue collection or ban you from flying in Spain.

In essence, Spain does not treat drone infractions lightly. Even though small recreational drones are everywhere now, the government is serious about airspace safety and privacy. AESA’s stance is clear: ignorance of the law is not an excuse, and they will enforce penalties to make examples of reckless pilots grupo-uas.com grupo-uas.com. To avoid any trouble, make sure you’ve done everything by the book – register, get training, follow airspace rules, and use common sense. The prospect of multi-thousand-euro fines (or worse) isn’t worth a few moments of risky flying. Fly safe and within the rules, and you’ll have no issues.

Recent Updates and Changes to the Law (2024–2025)

Drone regulations are evolving, and Spain saw significant updates with the introduction of Royal Decree 517/2024 (effective June 25, 2024) seguridadaerea.gob.es. Here are the key recent changes and what’s new in 2025:

Integration of EU Rules: The new Royal Decree fully integrates EU Regulation 2019/947 and 2019/945 into Spanish law, replacing the prior Spanish-centric rules seguridadaerea.gob.es. This means Spain is aligned with the EU’s categories and drone class standards. The decree repealed the old 2017 Spanish drone law, ending the interim rules Spain had and solidifying the EU approach for the long term seguridadaerea.gob.es.
No More Hobby vs. Professional Distinctions: As mentioned earlier, the law abolished the separate “recreational” and “professional” operational distinctions. Previously, Spain had different allowed zones and procedures depending on if you were a hobbyist or a licensed professional. Now all pilots follow the same framework, and restrictions are based on operational category (Open/Specific) rather than purpose seguridadaerea.gob.es. This greatly simplifies the rules and closes gaps that existed before.
Lower Minimum Age: The minimum age for drone pilots in the Open category was lowered. Under EU rules, countries could set a minimum age up to 16. Spain’s new rules allow youth pilots: 14 years old (or even 12 years old for the lowest-risk subcategory) can operate drones in the Open category, provided they have the required training/certificates seguridadaerea.gob.es. Younger children must still fly under adult supervision. This change opens the door for responsible younger hobbyists to enjoy drones legally after passing the online tests.
Insurance Requirement Eased for Hobbyists: One headline change was the exemption of mandatory insurance for Open category operations seguridadaerea.gob.es seguridadaerea.gob.es. This removed the blanket requirement for all drone flights to carry insurance, aligning Spain with the broader EU approach (insurance mandatory only over 20kg). However, as discussed in the insurance section, in practice most Spanish pilots continue to insure their drones and the rule is still interpreted conservatively for urban/high-risk flights umilesgroup.com. Nonetheless, this legal change is noteworthy – it reduces the burden on casual flyers a bit (at least legally speaking).
“U-space” and Digital Airspace Management: Spain has begun implementing the EU’s U-space framework for drone traffic management. U-space designates specific airspace where drones and manned aircraft share information through service providers. The new law sets out how Spain will designate U-space airspace and oversee service providers seguridadaerea.gob.es seguridadaerea.gob.es. In the coming years, certain busy low-level airspaces (especially in cities) may be declared U-space zones where drone pilots will need to use approved apps or network services to fly. In 2025, this is still in early stages, but the legislation is in place to roll it out.
New Geographical Zone System: The Royal Decree revamped how drone geographical zones are defined. Spain established a system of general zones and a mechanism for creating specific restricted zones for reasons like security, privacy, or environmental protection seguridadaerea.gob.es. It even removed the prior requirement to coordinate with air traffic control for certain low-altitude flights in controlled airspace: now, if you are outside an airport’s immediate vicinity and stay under 60m altitude, you do not need special ATC coordination seguridadaerea.gob.es (previously any incursion into controlled airspace needed coordination). This eases operations slightly for low drone flights near but not exactly within airport zones. AESA has also set up a single digital publication for UAS zones – effectively an online map (the ENAIRE platform) where all these zones are published centrally seguridadaerea.gob.es.
End of National Scenarios / Transition to EU Scenarios: Spain had its own “standard scenarios” for drone operations (pre-defined risk scenarios for faster authorizations) under the old rules. The new regulations are phasing those out in favor of the European standard scenarios (STS). AESA announced that after August 2024, no new declarations under the old national standard scenarios can be made, and operators should switch to the EU STS framework seguridadaerea.gob.es seguridadaerea.gob.es. This is relevant to professional operators in the Specific category – it harmonizes Spain with the EU on standard operations for things like surveying, filming, etc. using predefined risk assessments.
Electronic Remote ID Coming: A notable upcoming requirement is the introduction of electronic identification (remote ID) for drones. While not fully enforced yet, the writing is on the wall that certain drones and operations will require broadcasting remote ID data. The new Spanish drone law and EU regulations mandate that drones of classes C1, C2, C3 (and operations in some Specific scenarios) will need to have a remote ID capability grupooneair.com. This means your drone will transmit its position and your registration info so authorities can remotely identify it. Many newer drones have this feature built-in (or can be retrofitted). Expect that by 2025, if you are flying in urban areas or higher-risk categories, remote ID will be obligatory – keep an eye on AESA announcements for when enforcement begins.
Urban Flight Notification (Article 40): As detailed earlier, the new law imposed the requirement to notify the Interior Ministry for urban flights anpd.es. This was a significant change in procedure for Open category pilots wanting to fly in cities, essentially plugging a gap that previously allowed some urban flights with micro drones without oversight. Now, even a tourist flying a 249g drone in Barcelona technically has to do this notification. It’s a new concept in 2024/2025 and is part of Spain’s effort to increase security (likely influenced by incidents and the general increase in drone activity).
Training and Instructor Framework: The Royal Decree also introduced a formal structure for drone training in Spain. It created the figures of certified UAS instructors, examiners, and evaluators for advanced training seguridadaerea.gob.es. AESA can now designate entities (schools, organizations) to provide Specific category training and even practical skill evaluations. This professionalizes the training landscape, which will benefit commercial pilots seeking higher qualifications. Additionally, the minimum age reductions (12–14) came with requirements for supervision and possibly adjusted training for those minors.

All these updates show that as of 2025, Spain’s drone regulations are maturing – aligning with European standards while adding local layers for safety and security. If you last checked Spain’s drone laws a few years ago, many things have changed: higher fines, new registration rules, new permissions needed for cities, and simplified categories. It’s crucial to stay up-to-date via AESA’s website and news releases. AESA frequently updates its FAQ and guidance (including virtual assistants and guides) to help pilots comply seguridadaerea.gob.es. As drone tech evolves (think drone taxis, deliveries, etc.), expect further adjustments. But for now, the 2024 framework is the law of the land – ensure you understand it before you take off. Flying in Spain can be an amazing experience if done legally and safely; with this knowledge, you’ll be on the right track! seguridadaerea.gob.es en.kosupatravel.com

Sources: Official AESA website and Spanish BOE publications for drone regulations seguridadaerea.gob.es seguridadaerea.gob.es; EASA guidance documents easa.europa.eu; Spanish drone law summaries by accredited training organizations grupooneair.com grupooneair.com; and reputable drone industry sources and travel guides grupo-uas.com en.kosupatravel.com for up-to-date interpretations of the rules. All information is current as of 2025, but always double-check the latest from AESA before flying. Fly safe and ¡buen vuelo!