Can you fly your drone in Uruguay?
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
DINACIA
Framework
Res. DINACIA 291/2014 + RAU 91
Pilot credential
DAOD Operator License
KEY RULES
- Maximum altitude: 120 m (400 ft) above ground level (AGL)
- Drones weighing less than 25 kg: DO NOT require DINACIA registration for recreational use
- Drones weighing ≥25 kg or used for commercial purposes: mandatory registration on the DINACIA UTM platform
- Always keep the drone within direct line of sight (VLOS)
- Do not fly over densely populated areas (cities, towns, neighborhoods)
- Avoid airports, airfields, and controlled airspace (CTR)
- A reasonable distance from people and buildings not involved (recommended: 30 m)
- Flight permitted only during the day — night flights require specific authorization
- Business operation: mandatory liability insurance + DINACIA permit
- Airspace Reservations (Events): Complete the form 10 days in advance
No-fly zones and restrictions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence or certificate to fly a drone in Uruguay?
In Uruguay, the credential to know about is DAOD Operator License. Whether you need it depends on your drone's weight and how you fly — DINACIA 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 Uruguay?
Yes — Uruguay is one of the region's most permissive countries for visitors: recreational drones up to 25 kg need no registration, permit or licence, with the usual rules (120 m, daylight, line of sight, no populated areas or crowds; in Montevideo use the designated zones). Commercial work is reserved for Uruguayan-registered companies, so tourists cannot legally fly for pay. Rules for foreign pilots can change, so always double-check with DINACIA before you travel, and see the official sources below.
What are the most important drone rules in Uruguay?
The short version: Maximum altitude: 120 m (400 ft) above ground level (AGL). On top of that: Drones weighing less than 25 kg: DO NOT require DINACIA registration for recreational use. Also: Drones weighing ≥25 kg or used for commercial purposes: mandatory registration on the DINACIA UTM platform. These are central aviation rules — location-specific airspace, land, nature, privacy and photography requirements can also apply in Uruguay, so always check the official sources.
Where am I not allowed to fly a drone in Uruguay?
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 Uruguay under Sources below, and the DroneKoll app keeps the country's rules, weather and checklists in one place before you fly.
Who regulates drone flying in Uruguay?
Drone flying in Uruguay is regulated by DINACIA, 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
- DINACIA — Basic Regulations for Drones DINACIA's official website with the basic guidelines for drone operations (Resolution 291/2014): regulations, categories, and authorized operations dinacia.gub.uy
- UTM DINACIA — Registration and Authorization Platform DINACIA's official UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) platform for registering drones (≥25 kg) and submitting applications for operating authorization. Requires a registered user utm.dinacia.gub.uy
- DINACIA — RPAS Operator Permits Official page on RPAS operator permits — steps, requirements, and forms. Required for drones weighing 25 kg or more and for all commercial uses dinacia.gub.uy
- DINACIA — LAR 61 Pilot Licenses LAR 61 (Pilot Licenses and Ratings) — regulations applicable to aviation operations, including RPAS dinacia.gub.uy
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- DINACIA — Home Page Main website of the National Directorate of Civil Aviation and Aeronautical Infrastructure. Access to procedures, regulations, and aeronautical services dinacia.gub.uy
- Procedure: Aviation Licenses (gub.uy) Official procedure on gub.uy for the issuance and authorization of aviation licenses — including remote pilots for professional drone use gub.uy
- AUD — Uruguayan Drone Association Uruguayan Drone Association: a community of pilots, educational resources, and updates on regulations applicable to operators in Uruguay aud.org.uy
Always check DINACIA’s official sources before flying. This app is a tool, not a legal authority. Uruguay enforces DINACIA Resolution 291/2014 and the Uruguayan Aeronautical Regulations (RAU). Drones weighing less than 25 kg do not require registration; all others do.
The app
The whole picture, up to date — in your pocket
DroneKoll brings together the country's rules, weather, flight log and checklists — everything you need before you fly.
More in the app: Interactive zone map · Flight log · Planning & measuring · Pre-flight checklists
