DroneKoll

Can you fly your drone in the United Arab Emirates?

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

General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)

Framework

Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2022 + GCAA CAR-UAR (Unmanned Aircraft Recreational Flights) + Dubai DCAA Directive DCAD-RUA (DCAA/DCAD/2025/00007)

Pilot credential

Drone Pilot Certificate

KEY RULES

  1. All drone flying (recreational and commercial) was suspended nationwide by GCAA Safety Decision 2026-03 (28 February 2026, Issue 02 of 27 March 2026). Check GCAA and drones.gov.ae for whether the suspension has been lifted before any flight.
  2. Maximum altitude 400 ft (120 m) above ground under the GCAA's federal rules (CAR-UAR), using the UAE Drones app — but Dubai is regulated separately by the DCAA (400 ft / 122 m within its recreational zones), so always check the specific emirate's own conditions before flying.
  3. Maximum drone weight 5 kg for recreational operators
  4. Daytime operations only — visual line of sight (VLOS) mandatory at all times
  5. No flying over populated areas, gatherings, or events
  6. Under the GCAA's federal recreational rules (CAR-UAR), installing or equipping a drone with a camera or any other filming/recording device is prohibited. Dubai (DCAA) has separate rules.
  7. Stay at least 5 km from airports and heliports under the GCAA's federal rules — but conditions differ between emirates (Dubai = DCAA), so check the specific emirate's own zones before flying.
  8. Recreational pilots must be at least 18 years old (GCAA CAR-UAR).
  9. Registration mandatory via the UAE Drones app/website using UAE Pass credentials
  10. Under GCAA rules (CAR-UAR), the drone needs a MOIAT Product Status Statement and a working Remote ID system, and the UAE Drones app must be used during every flight.
  11. Training certificate from a GCAA-accredited centre required (also for recreational pilots)
  12. Flight approval must be obtained in the UAE Drones app before every flight.
  13. Dubai is regulated separately by DCAA — verify Dubai-specific status before flying there
  14. Outside Dubai, the GCAA's recreational rules (CAR-UAR) require pilots to be UAE residents, so tourists are not eligible. Dubai (DCAA) has its own recreational rules, which mention tourist pilots — check them before travel.
  15. Penalties for violations can reach AED 2,000,000 (~USD 545,000) — UAE remains strict

No-fly zones and restrictions

Current NOTAM data in the app · rules & checklists
Open the official source ↗

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a licence or certificate to fly a drone in the United Arab Emirates?

In the United Arab Emirates, the credential to know about is the Drone Pilot Certificate. Whether you need it depends on your drone's weight and how you fly — General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) 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 the United Arab Emirates?

No — tourists cannot legally fly as of mid-2026. Registration and permits (UAE Drones platform via UAE Pass) are limited to citizens and residents, and Dubai allows recreational flying only in DCAA-approved zones. In early 2026 the GCAA temporarily suspended all civil drone operations nationwide. Verify the status before travel; penalties are severe. Rules for foreign pilots can change, so always double-check with General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) before you travel, and see the official sources below.

What are the most important drone rules in the United Arab Emirates?

The short version: All drone flying (recreational and commercial) was suspended nationwide by GCAA Safety Decision 2026-03 (28 February 2026, Issue 02 of 27 March 2026). Check GCAA and drones.gov.ae for whether the suspension has been lifted before any flight. On top of that: Maximum altitude 400 ft (120 m) above ground under the GCAA's federal rules (CAR-UAR), using the UAE Drones app — but Dubai is regulated separately by the DCAA (400 ft / 122 m within its recreational zones), so always check the specific emirate's own conditions before flying. Also: Maximum drone weight 5 kg for recreational operators. These are central aviation rules — location-specific airspace, land, nature, privacy and photography requirements can also apply in the United Arab Emirates, so always check the official sources.

Where am I not allowed to fly a drone in the United Arab Emirates?

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 the United Arab Emirates under Sources below, and the DroneKoll app shows current NOTAMs (temporary airspace restrictions) for the United Arab Emirates.

Who regulates drone flying in the United Arab Emirates?

Drone flying in the United Arab Emirates is regulated by General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), 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

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

All drone flying (recreational and commercial) was suspended nationwide by GCAA Safety Decision 2026-03 (28 February 2026, Issue 02 of 27 March 2026) — check GCAA and drones.gov.ae for whether the suspension has been lifted before any flight. Operation otherwise requires GCAA-accredited training, UAE Pass registration and a flight permit. Dubai is regulated separately by DCAA. Outside Dubai, the GCAA's recreational rules require pilots to be UAE residents, so tourists are not eligible. This page is a guide — not a legal authority. Penalties remain severe.

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

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