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    Photography/Drone Rules

    Fly legal, fly prepared

    Madeira is spectacular from the air. It is also tightly regulated — the airport CTR, Natura 2000 protected zones, and ANAC rules catch many visitors unprepared. Here is everything you need to know before you pack your drone.

    Disclaimer: Regulations change. This page reflects the rules as of 2025 under EU Regulation 2019/947. Always verify with ANAC before flying. Fines for violations range from €500 to €37,500.

    Framework

    Which category is your drone?

    Open (A1/A3)

    Drones under 250 g with no registration — C0 class

    Open (A2)

    250 g – 4 kg, registered, requires A2 CofC licence

    Specific

    Over 4 kg or flight in restricted areas — requires ANAC authorisation

    Most consumer drones (DJI Mini 3, Mini 4 Pro, Air 3) fall into Open A1/A2 or Open A2. DJI Mavic 3 and heavier models are typically Open A2 or A3 depending on use.

    Compliance

    What you need to do

    1

    Register your drone with ANAC

    Required

    Any drone 250 g or heavier must be registered with ANAC (Autoridade Nacional de Aviação Civil), Portugal's civil aviation authority. Registration is done online at anac.pt. You receive a registration number that must be affixed to the drone. Cost: €10. Madeira falls under Portuguese jurisdiction — there is no separate Madeiran registration.

    anac.pt
    2

    Obtain operator competency (if required)

    Required

    To fly a drone between 250 g and 4 kg in the A2 subcategory (close to people or in populated areas), you need an A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC). The exam is taken online through a national competency authority. EU residents take it in their home country; non-EU residents must obtain it through ANAC. Under 250 g in open subcategory A1 requires only online training, no exam.

    3

    Check the airspace with SESAR or AIP Portugal

    Required

    Madeira Airport (FNC) has a Control Zone (CTR) that covers the south coast from Funchal east to Caniço and extends 5 NM around the airport up to 2,500 ft. No drone flight is permitted within this CTR without specific ATC authorisation. Use the SESAR U-space map or the AIP Portugal ENR 5.5 charts to check the exact boundaries before planning any flight.

    4

    Respect the Madeira Natural Park restrictions

    Required

    Large portions of Madeira's interior are designated as Natural Park or Special Protected Area (SPA) under Natura 2000. Drone flight over SPAs requires prior authorisation from the Madeira Regional Directorate of Forests (DRF). This includes Fanal, the Paul da Serra plateau, and the central mountain zone including Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo. Breaches can result in fines up to €37,500.

    5

    Apply for specific authorisation if needed

    Conditional

    If your planned flight falls within the CTR, over an SPA, or involves operations that exceed Open category rules (over 120 m altitude, beyond visual line of sight, or over uninvolved people), you need Specific category authorisation from ANAC. Applications are submitted via the ANAC portal at least 30 days before the flight. Plan your trip dates accordingly.

    Restrictions

    No-fly zones

    These zones are either hard restrictions (illegal without authorisation) or soft restrictions (legal but requiring significant care). Hard restrictions are enforced. Violations are regularly fined.

    Madeira Airport CTR

    Hard restriction

    5 NM radius around FNC (Funchal Airport) up to 2,500 ft AMSL. Covers most of the south coast between Funchal and Caniço. No drone flight without ATC approval.

    Funchal City Centre

    Hard restriction

    Dense urban area falls under A1/A2 subcategory restrictions. Drones over 250 g require A2 CofC and must maintain 30 m horizontal distance from uninvolved persons. Flying over crowds (festivals, markets, seafront promenade) is prohibited.

    Fanal Laurel Forest

    Hard restriction

    Designated Special Protected Area (SPA) and Natura 2000 site. Drone flight requires prior DRF authorisation. The forest is habitat for the critically endangered Zino's petrel and other protected species.

    Pico do Arieiro / Pico Ruivo

    Hard restriction

    Central mountain zone is within the Natural Park and designated SPA. Authorisation required. The high-altitude location also approaches controlled airspace boundaries — verify the exact limit before any flight.

    Ponta de São Lourenço

    Hard restriction

    Protected peninsula designated as Natural Reserve. Significant wildlife present including nesting seabirds. Drone flight requires DRF authorisation.

    Military installations

    Hard restriction

    The Madeira military base area near Santo António da Serra has restricted airspace. Avoid any flight within 5 km of military sites without explicit clearance.

    Porto Santo Airport CTR

    Hard restriction

    Porto Santo island (accessible by ferry or flight) has its own airport CTR. Rules mirror those for Madeira Airport.

    Private property and beaches

    Use caution

    While not legally prohibited in all cases, flying low over beaches, hotel pools, or private land without permission is a privacy violation under GDPR and can result in civil liability. Use common sense and avoid filming identifiable individuals without consent.

    Where you can fly

    5 accessible aerial locations

    These locations are generally outside the hard-restriction zones. Always verify the current airspace map before flying — boundaries can be temporarily extended for events or military exercises.

    Paul da Serra Plateau

    Open plateau, mostly clear of restricted zones. Verify northern edge for SPA boundary. Wide-angle landscape shots of the plateau and the cloud edge work well.

    Ponta do Pargo area

    Western tip, clear of airport CTR and most SPAs. The lighthouse and the cliff face are accessible for aerial shots. Check the DRF map for the exact SPA boundary.

    Porto Moniz coastline

    North-west coast, away from the airport CTR. The rock pools and the lava coastline photograph well from low altitude. Respect the 50 m minimum altitude over the road.

    Ribeira Brava to Calheta coast

    South-west coast section generally outside the Funchal CTR. The Jardim do Mar surf break and the Calheta marina can be shot legally from this corridor.

    Santana and north coast villages

    The traditional A-frame houses (palheiros) in Santana and the terraced north coast can be shot from the north, away from restricted zones. Low altitude, slow movement to avoid disturbing village life.

    Preparation

    Pre-arrival checklist

    Complete these steps before you leave home. Some authorisations have 30-day lead times — last-minute applications are rarely approved.

    Download the SESAR U-space or DJI Fly Safe map for Madeira and Porto Santo

    Verify your drone's weight class and confirm whether A2 CofC is required

    Register drone with ANAC at anac.pt (if 250 g+) — takes 3–5 working days

    Apply for DRF authorisation if any planned flights are in SPA zones (30-day lead time)

    Apply for ATC authorisation via ANAC if planning flights within the FNC CTR

    Check airline carry-on rules: lithium batteries over 100Wh may need airline approval

    Download the AIP Portugal ENR 5.5 charts for exact CTR boundary coordinates

    Confirm your travel insurance covers drone liability (standard policies often exclude it)

    Best Spots

    Full shortlist of 15 locations

    Sunrise Guide

    Cloud inversions and mountain peaks

    Sunset Guide

    West-facing cliffs and harbours