Drone Pilot App for Spain — AESA Certificate in Apple Wallet

Flying Drones in Spain Under EASA Rules

Spain's drone regulations are managed by the Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA), which operates under the Ministry of Transport. Spain has adopted the EU EASA framework but applies it with notable strictness — most significantly, Spain requires registration of all drones regardless of weight, going beyond the standard EASA 250g threshold.

Spain is one of Europe's top destinations for drone photography thanks to its diverse landscapes — from the volcanic terrain of the Canary Islands and the rugged Andalusian countryside to the Catalan coastline and the arid beauty of Castilla-La Mancha. But those same landscapes come with complex airspace, busy tourist areas, and national park restrictions that pilots must navigate carefully.

How PilotPocket Helps Drone Pilots in Spain

Whether you are a Spanish resident or a tourist flying in Spain, PilotPocket provides essential tools:

• AESA Certificate in Apple Wallet — Add your EASA A1/A3, A2, or STS certificate to Apple Wallet. Show your credentials with a quick tap — particularly useful during the frequent beach and park patrols by Guardia Civil and local police during tourist season.
• Digital Flight Logbook — Log every flight with location coordinates, timestamp, and notes. Spain's commercial drone sector is growing rapidly, and maintaining a detailed flight log demonstrates professionalism and compliance.
• Operator QR Tag — Generate a QR code label with your ESP operator ID. All registered drones in Spain must display the operator identification — PilotPocket makes this simple with a printable, scannable label.
• Fleet Management — Keep track of all your drones, their registration numbers, and class markings in one place.

AESA Drone Registration: Step by Step

Spain requires all drones to be registered, with no weight exemption:

• Visit the AESA UAS registration portal on the AESA website
• Register as a UAS operator using your DNI/NIE (Spanish residents) or passport (EU citizens and tourists)
• Receive your ESP operator ID
• Complete the A1/A3 online competency exam through AESA
• Download your certificate and add it to Apple Wallet with PilotPocket

If you plan to fly closer to people or in more complex scenarios, consider obtaining your A2 certificate or STS authorization.

Spanish Drone Rules at a Glance

• Maximum altitude: 120 m (400 ft) AGL in Open category
• Insurance: Mandatory for all drone operations. Minimum coverage depends on drone weight class.
• Registration: Required for all drones regardless of weight — stricter than standard EASA rules
• Remote ID: Required for C-class drones. Operator ID label mandatory on all registered drones.
• No-fly zones: Airports, military bases, royal residences, national parks, and urban areas. Use ENAIRE's official airspace map.
• Night flying: Allowed with proper drone lighting and if the pilot can maintain visual contact

Spain-Specific Tips for Drone Pilots

• ENAIRE airspace: Always consult ENAIRE's drone airspace map before flying. Spain has dense commercial air traffic, especially along the Mediterranean coast and around the Canary Islands.
• Beach restrictions: Spanish beaches during summer are classified as gatherings of people. Flying over occupied beaches is prohibited in Open category A1 and A3 subcategories. Even in winter, many coastal areas have port and maritime restrictions.
• Canary Islands: The volcanic landscapes of Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura are spectacular for drone footage, but several areas are protected national parks (Teide, Timanfaya). Flying in these parks requires special authorization.
• Balearic Islands: Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca have dense airspace due to heavy air traffic. Many natural areas are protected under the Natura 2000 network. Check local restrictions carefully.
• Camino de Santiago: The famous pilgrimage route passes through rural areas ideal for flying, but some sections cross protected cultural heritage zones with restricted airspace.
• Language: AESA's online exam and documentation are primarily in Spanish. EU citizens flying with certificates from other member states can use those in Spain without retaking the exam.

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