The rules at a glance
| Rule | What sources say |
|---|---|
| Registration | Required from 250 g, with ANAC, free, valid five years |
| Non-EU tourist | Must register with ANAC if without a valid EASA registration |
| Maximum height | 120 m |
| Insurance | Required above 900 g |
| Night flying | Allowed with a flashing green light |
| Camera | Separate AAN authorisation, administrative procedure |
| No-fly zones | Airports and zones on the ANAC map (dnt.anac.pt) |
Do I need permission to fly in Porto? Yes, at least the registration of the drone and pilot; in the city, areas near the airport and the coast are the most restricted.
In Porto: sensitive areas
Porto is close to Francisco Sá Carneiro airport. A commercial blog quotes an 8 km no-fly radius, not confirmed by an official source: check the ANAC map. A forum says flying over beaches and cliffs needs the agreement of the Capitania do Porto, and over natural parks the agreement of their management: to be verified. Avoid flying over crowds, the busy Ribeira or the bridges.
Where to fly, and other ways to film
For a viewpoint without breaking rules, many views of Porto need no drone: the Dom Luís I Bridge, the Morro garden in Gaia (see the Morro garden) or the river. A six bridges cruise gives angles a drone cannot always take.
Before you go
- Register the drone and yourself on the ANAC UAS portal.
- Check the zone map (dnt.anac.pt) on the day of the flight.
- Take out insurance if the drone is over 900 g.
- Do not fly over people, out of sight or outside permitted zones.
- See also before you go: formalities.
La rédaction Porto Authority, 25/10/2026.
