Can you fly your drone in Colombia?
Whether you can fly depends on your drone, your registration and exactly where you fly. Here is what applies: key rules, no-fly zones and the official sources, in one place.
Regulator
Aerocivil
Framework
RAC 100 — Open and Specific category (UAEAC/Aerocivil)
Pilot credential
Certificate of Suitability
KEY RULES
- Maximum altitude: 122 m (400 ft) above ground level (RAC 100).
- Maximum horizontal distance: 750 m from the operator, while maintaining direct visual line of sight (VLOS) (RAC 100).
- Drones with an MTOW of 200 g or more: mandatory registration on Aerocivil’s UAS Platform.
- Registered drone: carries a fixed label of at least 2 × 4 cm with the registration number, name, email and atencionalciudadano@aerocivil.gov.co (RAC 100).
- Open category (drones ≤25 kg, non-commercial use only): operation permitted without prior authorization under RAC 100. Commercial use = specific category with authorization.
- Drones over 25 kg (up to 250 kg): only in the specific category, with a flight authorization from Aerocivil and a pilot holding a certificate of suitability (RAC 100).
- Minimum distance of 2 km from military or police bases, prisons and critical infrastructure, and from any place where the President is present (RAC 100).
- Airports: flying is prohibited at the airport and within 6 km of the reference point (ARP); between 6 and 9 km only in the open category, maximum 61 m (200 ft) above the lowest threshold and outside ZNVD — check the Visor Geográfico UAS (RAC 100).
- Minimum distance of 3 km from heliports (RAC 100).
- Minimum distance of 30 m from uninvolved people and buildings.
- Always keep the drone within direct line of sight (VLOS). At night only with lights permanently on and with an observer (RAC 100).
- Drone No-Fly Zones (ZNVD) and prohibited, restricted and danger areas can be checked in Aerocivil's Visor Geográfico UAS (RAC 100).
No-fly zones and restrictions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence or certificate to fly a drone in Colombia?
In Colombia, the credential to know about is the Certificate of Suitability. Whether you need it depends on your drone's weight and how you fly — Aerocivil runs the scheme, and the official sources below spell out exactly when it applies.
Can I fly a drone as a tourist or foreign visitor in Colombia?
Yes — visitors may fly and can register with a passport. Note the threshold is 200 g, not 250 g: any drone of 200 g or more must be registered, free, on Aerocivil's UAS platform before flying, so a 249 g DJI Mini is not exempt. Recreational open-category flying needs no licence or exam; commercial work does. National parks are off-limits without a permit. Rules for foreign pilots can change, so always double-check with Aerocivil before you travel, and see the official sources below.
What are the most important drone rules in Colombia?
The short version: Maximum altitude: 122 m (400 ft) above ground level (RAC 100). On top of that: Maximum horizontal distance: 750 m from the operator, while maintaining direct visual line of sight (VLOS) (RAC 100). Also: Drones with an MTOW of 200 g or more: mandatory registration on Aerocivil’s UAS Platform. These are central aviation rules — location-specific airspace, land, nature, privacy and photography requirements can also apply in Colombia, so always check the official sources.
Where am I not allowed to fly a drone in Colombia?
What you need to avoid are the restricted zones — typically around airports, prisons, military areas and protected nature areas. You'll find the official map for Colombia under Sources below, and the DroneKoll app shows current NOTAMs (temporary airspace restrictions) for Colombia.
Who regulates drone flying in Colombia?
Drone flying in Colombia is regulated by Aerocivil, which handles both the rules and the airspace. Their official pages are linked under Sources below — that is where changes appear first.
Good to know
OFFICIAL SOURCES
- Aerocivil — Unmanned Aviation (UAS/Drones)Official website of the Special Administrative Unit for Civil Aviation (UAEAC) on drones: RAC 100, Informative Circulars, UAS registrationaerocivil.gov.co
- Aerocivil — Frequently Asked Questions About DronesOfficial FAQ section on drones and urban air mobility, with detailed answers to common questions from operatorsaerocivil.gov.co
- Aerocivil — Plataforma UAS Colombia (drone registration)Aerocivil's UAS e-services portal: access to the Plataforma UAS Colombia to register drones of 200 g or more (free of charge), the Visor Geográfico UAS and tutorialsaerocivil.gov.co
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Aerocivil — Home PageMain website of the Special Administrative Unit for Civil Aviation. Access to aviation regulations, procedures, and servicesaerocivil.gov.co
- Citizen Services (Email + Phone)Aerocivil's official email address for inquiries about drones. Phone: +57 (601) 425 1000 or +57 (601) 518 5214. Monday–Friday 8:00–16:30. Drones: gdmua@aerocivil.gov.co
- Colombian Aviation Regulations (RAC)Colombian Aeronautical Regulations (RAC). Includes RAC 100 (UAS operations, in force since 2023) and the other regulations applicable to dronesaerocivil.gov.co
Always check the official sources of the Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil) before flying. This page is a guide — not a legal authority. Colombia enforces RAC 100 (Aeronautical Regulations for UAS Operations), which requires mandatory registration for drones with a MTOW of 200 g or more via the UAS Platform.
The app
The whole picture, up to date — in your pocket
DroneKoll shows weather and current NOTAMs on the map — with a flight log and checklists built in.
More in the app:Interactive zone map · Flight log · Planning & measuring · Pre-flight checklists · Flying abroad
