Can you fly your drone in Türkiye?
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
Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü (SHGM)
Framework
SHT-İHA (Sivil Havacılık Talimatı — İnsansız Hava Aracı)
Pilot credential
UAV Pilot License
BASIC RULES
- Maximum flight altitude: 120 meters (400 ft) above ground level
- Your UAV must always remain within your line of sight (VLOS)
- Daytime flight only — a separate permit is required for night flights
- At least 9 km from all airports (including Istanbul IST and Sabiha Gökçen SAW)
- A horizontal distance of at least 50 meters must be maintained from other people
- All UAVs weighing more than 500 g must be registered at iha.shgm.gov.tr
- Flying is prohibited in historic areas (Hagia Sophia, Topkapı, Sultanahmet) and along the Bosphorus corridor
- Flying over military zones, government buildings, and crowded events is strictly prohibited
- The use of UAVs weighing more than 500 g by foreign pilots requires an application through diplomatic channels
- FPV flight is prohibited without a separate authorization
No-fly zones and restrictions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence or certificate to fly a drone in Türkiye?
In Türkiye, the credential to know about is UAV Pilot License. Whether you need it depends on your drone's weight and how you fly — Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü (SHGM) 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 Türkiye?
Only with long lead time for most drones: to fly anything 500 g or heavier, foreign pilots must apply through diplomatic channels to the aviation authority at least 20 business days ahead, with insurance and flight under a licensed Turkish pilot's supervision. Below 500 g those duties do not apply, but no-fly zones still do. Customs may ask for import papers, and historic sites need permits. Rules for foreign pilots can change, so always double-check with Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü (SHGM) before you travel, and see the official sources below.
What are the most important drone rules in Türkiye?
The short version: Maximum flight altitude: 120 meters (400 ft) above ground level. On top of that: Your UAV must always remain within your line of sight (VLOS). Also: Daytime flight only — a separate permit is required for night flights. These are central aviation rules — location-specific airspace, land, nature, privacy and photography requirements can also apply in Türkiye, so always check the official sources.
Where am I not allowed to fly a drone in Türkiye?
What you need to avoid are the restricted zones — typically around airports, prisons, military areas and protected nature. You'll find the official map for Türkiye under Sources below, and the DroneKoll app shows current NOTAMs (temporary airspace restrictions) for Türkiye.
Who regulates drone flying in Türkiye?
Drone flying in Türkiye is regulated by Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü (SHGM). The airspace itself is managed by DHMİ. You will find both organisations' official pages under Sources below — those are the links worth bookmarking.
Good to know
OFFICIAL SOURCES
- SHGM — Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (official website) The General Directorate of Civil Aviation's official UAV page: SHT-UAV Directive, weight classes (UAV-0/1/2/3), and operational rules web.shgm.gov.tr
- UAV Registration System (Required for drones weighing 500 g or more) Mandatory registration portal for all drones weighing more than 500 grams. Requires a Turkish ID number; Form FR-03 applies to foreign nationals iha.shgm.gov.tr
- UAV Pilot Registration Application (e-Government) Official service via e-Government for pilot registration applications for UAV-1 and higher. A pilot license is required for commercial operations. turkiye.gov.tr
- Flight Authorization Request (yellow/red zones) In the yellow and red zones, prior authorization from the SHGM is required before flying. In the green zones, compliance with the basic rules is sufficient. iha.shgm.gov.tr
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- UAV Tracking — Official Mobile App (Android) SHGM's official UAV Tracking app: airspace zones, flight permits, and pilot license management play.google.com
- SHGM — Corporate Homepage General Directorate of Civil Aviation homepage: all aviation regulations, announcements, and contact information web.shgm.gov.tr
- SHT-UAV Directive (text of the regulation) Civil Aviation Directive — Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SHT-UAV): the official directive that serves as the legal basis for all operations web.shgm.gov.tr
Be sure to check the SHGM’s official sources before flying. This app is a tool, not a legal authority. UAV operations in Turkey are regulated by the SHT-UAV Directive; all devices weighing 500 g or more must be registered in the SHGM registration system (iha.shgm.gov.tr).
The app
The whole picture, up to date — in your pocket
DroneKoll shows weather and current NOTAMs on the map — with flight log and checklists built in.
More in the app: Interactive zone map · Flight log · Planning & measuring · Pre-flight checklists
