Guide to Global Drone Laws: Must-Know Regulations 

From land surveying and resource exploration to industrial photogrammetry and NDT inspections, drones have brought extra efficiencies and cost-savings to various operational workflows.

However, the novel technology also came with inherent privacy and security risks, prompting initial regulatory scrutiny. Between 2012 and 2015, the first drone usage guidelines emerged, erring on the side of caution.

By 2024, most North American and European countries have introduced comprehensive drone use legal frameworks, covering pilot certification, UAV registration, and flight restrictions. Many countries are also working on new drone laws for beyond-visual line-of-sight operations and unmanned traffic management.

Learn about the current key legal requirements for commercial drone operations.

The Global State of Commercial Drone Use Laws and Regulations: Summary

Many jurisdictions have adopted a risk-based approach to ensure rapid, safe technology deployment for beneficial use cases.

While specific laws vary, common regulatory trends appear across many countries:

• Clear distinction between recreational and commercial use, with stricter rules for commercial drone operations.

• Maximum flight altitude of 120 meters (300-400 feet) in many jurisdictions, with waivers or permissions for approved commercial operations.

• Only visual line of sight (VLOS) operations are allowed by default. Require extra authorization and permits for limited-scope beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights.

• Prohibition on flying over people, crowds, residential and commercial areas. Restrictions near airports or sensitive government areas.

• Mandatory drone registration and/or pilot certification with a local regulatory body.

North American and EU/EEA member states have the most mature drone regulatory frameworks, driven by operation-centric and risk-based principles. The rules are largely harmonized across the EU, EEA, and the UK and aligned with US and Canadian drone laws.

APAC, LATAM, and MENA regions lack unified frameworks. Countries mostly issue individual commercial drone laws, with some regulatory asymmetry. In some places, no clear regulations for the drone market exist.

US Drone Regulations

The US has generally favorable drone use laws, with well-established definitions and requirements for commercial operators. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees UAV registration, pilot certification, and regulatory approvals for certain drone use cases.

Commercial drones in the US may be operated:

• Under Part 107 — applicable to smaller UAVs under 55 lb (25 kg) with payload and flight speed under 100 mph (160 kph).

• Under Section 44807 exemption, which allows flying heavier UAVs and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).

• With an airworthiness certificate, which grants special usage permission for experimental aerial technologies or special purpose operations in agriculture, wildlife conservation, land surveying, and patrolling among other use cases.

Most industrial drone use cases will be covered by Part 107 FAA drone laws.

Pilot Requirements

All commercial drone pilots must pass an Unmanned Aircraft General-Small (UAG) exam, a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check, and obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from IACRA. Regular aircraft pilots with a valid Part 61 Certificate must complete an online training course, apply for a remote pilot certificate, and validate their identity in person to obtain a temporary airman certificate.

The issued Remote Pilot Certificate is valid indefinitely, but pilots must complete free recurrent training every 24 months to maintain their operating privileges.

Commercial Drone Registration

Drone registrations are processed via the FAA DroneZone website. It costs $5 per drone and is valid for 3 years.

From March 2024, all drones, regardless of size or use, must have a Remote Identification (ID) system on board. Most commercial drones can share altitude, velocity, time mark, and location information through a broadcast signal. When an in-built system is unavailable, the FAA allows an external Remote ID broadcast module. You’ll need to provide a Remote ID serial number during the drone registration process.

Flying Rules

Under Part 107, commercial drone operators must:

• Always operate the drone within a visual line of sight during daylight. Flight visibility must be at least three statute miles (4.8 km) from the control station, and the minimum distance from clouds must be at least 500 ft below and 2,000 ft horizontally.

• Twilight and night operations are permitted for drones with an anti-collision flashing light system.

• Drones should not be flown over people and moving vehicles unless several specific conditions are met.

• Drones can be flown over people and moving vehicles under certain conditions.

• Fly below 400 feet (120 m) above ground level unless within 400 feet (120 m) of a high-rise structure.

• Maintain a speed limit of 100 mph (160 kph) unless you obtain a waiver from the FAA.

• Operations are allowed in Class G airspace while giving way to crewed aircraft. However, operations in Class B, C, D & E require ATC authorization, which can be obtained through LAANC or FAADroneZone.

Part 107 Waivers

On a case-by-case basis, the FAA grants permission to use drones in other circumstances. For example, fly at higher altitudes or faster speeds.

The common types of waivers are:

• Drone operation from a moving vehicle or aircraft in populated areas

• Night operations without an anti-collision lighting system

• Permission to fly drone swarms with one remote pilot

• Beyond the visual line of site operations

• Higher limits on altitude, visibility, or speed

In each case, the operator must file a waiver request via the FAA DroneZone website. The request must clearly describe the intended use cases, extra safety precautions, and mission controls in place for risk mitigation and operational safety.

For example, to obtain BVLOS approval from the FAA, applicants must demonstrate that they have adequate training and flight controls in place, implemented reliable command and control (C2) infrastructure for remote operations, and can otherwise prove they can safely conduct BVLOS operations.

Canada Drone Regulations

Commercial drone use in Canada is overseen by Transport Canada under the Aeronautics Act and the Canadian Aviation Regulations. All drones above 250 grams must be registered with TC and pilots must hold a valid certification.

VLOS operations are allowed at a max altitude of 122 meters (400 ft) during the daytime and at night if equipped with lights. Flight over people allowed with an Advanced Certification. More favorable BVLOS regulations and a faster approval process should come into effect in April 2025.

Pilot Requirements

All drone pilots, commercial or recreational, must hold a valid pilot license to operate UAVs. The rule extends to visitors too. Canada issues two types of drone pilot certificates — Basic Operations and Advanced Operations — via Transport Canada’s Drone Management Portal.

Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations	Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations
Applicable for UAVs, weighing 250 g to 250 kg in uncontrolled airspace Pass an online Small Basic Exam (35 multiple choice questions) Certificate issued immediately.	Applicable for larger commercial drones that meet RPAS Safety Assurance standards Authorizes operations in controlled airspace, near or over people Pass an online exam and an in-person flight review Certificate granted if the scores are sufficient

In each case, you must recertify your skills every 24 months by showing proof of completion of one of the approved skills recency activities like completing a training seminar, passing a Small Basic or Advanced Test, or passing a flight review.

Commercial Drone Registration

All commercially used drones must be registered via the Drone Management Portal. The registration fee is CA $5 per drone. No renewals are required.

You will then receive a unique 10-digit ID number starting with “C-“. The registration number must be visibly placed on the drone. Unlike the US, no Remote ID registration is needed at present.

For commercial drones above 25 kg, another registration procedure applies — a special flight operations certificate application.

Drone Operating Rules

The authority recognizes four categories of VLOS operations, Micro-drones (under 250 grams), basic operations, advanced operations, and SFOC operations.

Under basic operation rules, you can fly:

• VLOS missions at day or night if you have lights on your drone at a max altitude of 122 meters (400 feet)

• In uncontrolled airspace at least 3 nautical miles (5.5 km) away from certified airports or military aerodromes

• At above 30 m (100 ft) horizontally from people at the allowed locations

Advanced operation scenarios also allow flights in controlled airspace and locations that are less than 3 nautical miles from airports; near or above bystanders.

If you want to fly in controlled airspace, you need to get approval from Canada’s air navigation service provider, NAV CANADA. A handy app is available to assist with mission planning.

For other scenarios, you may need to obtain an additional Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC).

Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC)

A Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) is required if you want to:

• Operate heavy-weight drones (above 25 kg/55 lbs)
• Fly beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS)
• Lift beyond 122 meters (400 ft) above ground
• Operate a drone swarm of 5+ drones from a single control stations
• Transport any hazardous payloads
• Fly within 5.6 km of a military aerodrome
• Organize any special aviation events involving drones

SFOC application also extends to foreign operators who want to fly a drone in the country (who must also apply for a Basic or Advanced Pilot Certificate in Canada).

To get SFOC authorization, you need to describe the intended drone use case and provide the necessary documentation (operations manual, emergency and safety procedures overview, maintenance manual, etc). Applications can take up to 60 working days to review.

The better news is that Canada is working on a separate approval procedure for lower-risk BVLOS operations. The proposed framework will replace the SFOC application with a new class of pilot certification that would allow BVLOS operations for drones up to 150 kg in sparsely populated areas, at an altitude below 122 meters in uncontrolled airspace.

To get this authorization, drones will need to have detect-and-avoid technology and comply with all manufacturer-mandated maintenance procedures. For pilots, a new medical standard will be introduced, alongside the skills exam.

The new BVLOS rules in Canada are anticipated to be implemented by April 1, 2025.

EU Drone Regulations

Since 2021, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulates all UAV operations across 27 EU member states. Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Norway (EEA member states) have also adopted the same provisions.

The EU classifies all drones, commercial and recreational, into seven classes using a special CE Marking system. Each drone class has its range of authorized usage scenarios and registration requirements.

EU CE Class Markings for Drones

All drones, authorized for sale and use in the EU, come with a CE marking, indicating their class — C0 to C6. The ranking depends on the UAV’s technical characteristics and usage scenarios.

C0 Class drones are under 250 grams and have a max speed of 19 m/s (68.4 km/h). Class-identified drones do not have to be registered, but the operator must do so. A C0 drone may be flown over people.

C1 drones are under 900 grams and have a max speed of 19 m/s (68.4 km/h). Pilots must register and have a remote ID. Flying above people is permitted, but should be kept to a minimum. You are not allowed to fly over assemblies of people. C2 Class drones are under 4 kg with the same max speed. Regulations allow flights near, but not over people. Operator registration and remote ID are necessary.

C3 through C6 classes cover heavy-weight drones (under 25 kg / 55 lbs). C3 drones can be operated at least 150 meters away from residential, commercial, and industrial areas and far away from people. C4 Class drones have the same operational requirements as C3 ones but don’t require a remote ID or geo-awareness system onboard. C5 & C6 Class drones are designed to be operated in the specific category and can be flown if the operator makes a declaration of compliance under an STS or holds an Operational Authorisation.

Pilot Requirements

The EU issues three main types of pilot certificates for Open Category flights:

• A1 Certificate, necessary to operate C0 and C1 class drones.

• A2 Certificate for flying C2 drones. Overflight is not allowed. Pilots must keep the UAV at a lateral distance from any uninvolved person that is not less than the height at which the drone is flying.

• A3 certificate for flying C2, C3, C4 drones away from people and residential areas. This certificate also covers legacy drones i.e. those that do not have a Class marking,

You can train online and prepare to take an exam with the National Aviation Authority in your country or at a Recognised Entity that holds these privileges. A typical drone pilot exam will include a multiple-choice questionnaire and practical skill assessments (for some categories). A1-3 certificates are valid across the EU and EEA, with no extra local registrations required.

A Declaration can be made by an operator for STS-01 or STS-02 when operating a C5 or C6 drone along with the pilot holding the theoretical and practical skills for the relevant STS.

STS-01 allows VLOS operations of C5 drones over a controlled ground area in an approved urban environment.

STS 02 allows BVLOS flights between 1-2 km at below 120 meters in sparsely populated areas with a C6 Class drone.

Commercial Drone Registration

EU drone laws distinguish between a drone pilot and a drone operator.

• A pilot is anyone flying the drone, but not necessarily its owner.

• A drone operator is a person or organization who owns or rents a drone, and registers as an operator.

All drone operators must register as UAS operators with their National Aviation Authority (NAA) in their country of residence. Afterward, you’ll receive a drone operator ID number (identifying the operator not the drone itself). Operator ID numbers must be placed on every drone in the fleet. The registration is valid throughout the EU. Registration fees and registration validity periods differ across countries, so it’s best to check with a local authority.

From January 1st, 2024, all drones in the Specific category and those in the C1 to C6 must also have a remote identification system on board, which can transmit the UAV’s serial number, operator registration number, and location.

Flying Rules

As mentioned already, operating rules differ based on the drone CE class, yet several universal rules apply for drones in the Open (low-risk) category:

• The maximum drone take-off weight shall not exceed 25 kg / 55 lbs.

• All drones cannot fly above 120 m above ground level or within proximity of an obstacle unless extra authorization is secured.

• Drones shall not fly above 120 m above ground level unless authorized by the NAA. Flying above people is generally prohibited, with a few exceptions.

• In the case of first-person view (FPV) flight, the pilot must have an observer who maintains a visual line of sight.

• Night flights are generally permitted in the Open category. However, the drone has to be equipped with a green flashing light.

“Operators sometimes overlook the limitations of the open category, meaning that they either fly in the open category when they should not or assume that a certain operation requires authorization when in reality it is not,” says Philip Bärtschi, Co-Founder of V2Sky. Special rules may also be issued on a country level, so it’s best to always double-check with the local authority.

EASA has also previewed several Standard Scenarios, which are generally allowed, but require special authorization to be granted by the Member State National Aviation Authority (NAA). These include the aforementioned STS-01 (VLOS in populated areas) and STS-02 (BVLOS in remote areas).

EASA also issued several Predefined Risk Assessments (PDRAs) — flying scenarios that have already been approved based on pre-assessed risk levels. To carry out a PDRA, authorization from the National Aviation Authority will still be required. However, the process is much simpler than getting authorization for a SORA.

Drone Regulations in Switzerland

In Switzerland (our home turf!) both EU aviation law as well as national, cantonal, and communal law is applicable.

Switzerland applies the same classification model (C0-C6) for drones. C0 to C4 drones belong to the Open category. Other drone use cases will require a separate authorization from The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA).

Pilot Requirements

Switzerland requires a pilot license for anyone flying a drone that weighs over 250 gr. License types are the same as in the EU — A1, A2, A3.

Training and examination can be completed online via UAS.gate. However, if your drone weighs between 900g-4kg you will need to take the exam on site.

Swiss drone pilot certificate is then valid for 5 years on the territories of all EU/EEA member states. Certificates from other EU countries are also valid in Switzerland.

Commercial Drone Registration

All drone registrations are done through UAS.gate. You’ll need a CH-Login and the process takes only 5 minutes if you have all the necessary information: personal details, a valid ID, and active liability insurance of at least 1 million CHF. “Special attention should also be paid to privacy and property law considerations,” Philip Bärtschi adds.

After registration, you’ll get a UAS operator number that must be displayed clearly on your drone. One number is sufficient for legal entities, operating multiple drones. Similar to the EU, all drones in Switzerland must support Remote ID starting from Jan 2024.

Flying Rules

Flight rules and restrictions are aligned between Switzerland and the EU. Respectively, VLOS flights are allowed at a max flight altitude of 120 meters without flying over people.Flight restrictions are also in place across a number of areas including:

• Commercial airports, military infrastructure, and penal institutions
• Outdoor switching stations or substations of grid level 2
• Nuclear power plants and Würenlingen interim storage facility.
• Over the Ruswil compressor station and Wallbach measuring station

A detailed interactive map of no-fly and restricted zones is available online.

Switzerland also recognizes two standard European scenarios (STS-01 and STS-02). These types of missions will require a separate remote pilot qualification and a permit from FOCA.

The UK Drone Regulations

Following Brexit, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) took over drone regulation. Still, the UK commercial drone use laws remain rather similar to those of EU/EEA member states. In particular, the country retained the European classification framework of Open, Specific, and Certified drones:

• Open Category allows VLOS-only flights at a max altitude of 120 m above ground of drones under 25 kg. Overflight is mostly prohibited. Moreover, the Open category has three subcategories of drones, each with its own specific rules (including pilot licensing requirements and rules on proximity to other people) — A1, A2, and A3.

• Specific Category covers VLOS flights with C5-C6 drones, as well as EVLOS (Extended Visual Line of Sight with human observers), and BVLOS scenarios. These operations will require extra authorization from CAA.

• The Certified Category applies to high-risk drone operations and is subject to the same regulations as manned flights. These may include transportation of people or dangerous goods, as well as flights over crowds. The CAA may also designate certain intended use cases from the Specific Category to the Certified category based on the operator’s risk assessment.

Pilot Requirements

Similar to the EU, the UK drone regulations distinguish between drone pilots and drone operators. A drone pilot — a person in direct control of the UAV — has to get a flyer ID from CAA. To fly a drone weighing between 250 grams and 25 kg in allowed areas, you will also need to get an A2 Certificate of Competence (CoC), which includes a theoretical test with 40 questions.

For more complex operations, including flying drones up to 25kg in populated areas, pilots will also need a General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) certificate. It includes a theoretical exam, an on-site Practical Flight Assessment, and an Operations Manual submission.

CAA is also working on a formal pilot competency, beyond the GVC, to support BVLOS flights. But the certification requirements haven’t yet been fully flushed out.

Commercial Drone Registration

An organization, responsible for the drone, must get an operator ID from CAA. It costs £10 and is valid for 5 years. The ID must be displayed on all drones, used by your company. All commercial drone operators must also have third-party liability insurance.

Flying Rules

Flight regulations for drones in the UK include the following requirements:

• Drones from the open category must be flown at 120 m (400 feet) maximum altitude unless you’re trying to avoid a high-rise obstacle

• Operators cannot fly closer than 50 m (164 ft) to people, buildings, and transport. However, you can overfly people involved in your operations (e.g., colleagues or observers)

• No flights are allowed closer than 150 m (490 ft) to residential, recreational, commercial and industrial sites

• Drones aren’t allowed in flight restriction zones (airports and other airfields) without prior authorization

The above rules apply to drones and operations that fall into the Open Category. For any other types of scenarios (e.g., flights at higher heights or closer to an industrial area), youshould seek extra authorization from the CAA.

Specifically, operators will need to submit a Safety Risk Assessment describing the operation, the drone, and the safety measures in place. Several predefined risk assessment frameworks and guidance on completing them are available in the CAP 722A document. The UK authorities are also working on the new Specific Operating Risk Assessment (SORA) framework, which will establish a wider range of pre-authorized standard operating scenarios. However, the document is still under consultation and will come into effect sometime in 2025.

Brazil Drone Regulations

The Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) is the key governing body, ruling over all registrations and operations of UAVs and pilot registration. Some extra laws from ANATEL (Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency) and DECEA (Air Space Control Department) may also apply.

ANAC recognizes three types of drones:

• Class 1: Remote pilot aircraft (RPA) with a weight over 150 kg
• Class 2: RPAs with a takeoff weight between 25 kg and 150 kg
• Class 3: RPAS off less than 25 kg, with specific rules for those under 250 grams.

Pilot certification, drone registration, and allowed use cases differ for each class of RPA.

Pilot Requirements

Pilots operating Class 3 drones at a height below 120 meters (400 feet) only need to register on the ANAC’s website as a UAV owner. However, no extra pilot certification is required.

However, pilots who want to fly a Class 3 drone above 120 m or operate a Class 1/Class 2 UAV, must obtain a respective remote pilot license from ANAC and have a valid aeronautical medical certificate (CMA) of 5th class.

Commercial Drone Registration

Drones weighing over 250 grams must be registered in ANAC’s SISANT system. Both individuals and legal entities can register the drone. The registration is free but requires a Brazilian tax ID number.

You’ll be issued a Register Certificate, which you must carry during the flight. The registration number must also be placed on the drones. ANAC also requires drone operators to carry a valid liability insurance certificate and a flight manual.

ANATEL also requires all drones to have their approval seal. Most imported drones will not have one. So operators need to register the imported drone via the MOSAICO system, providing technical information about its characteristics.

Flying Rules

All drone flights must be registered in advance with the Brazilian Department of Airspace Control (DECEA) to get authorization for using the country’s airspace. With the permission granted, Class 3 drones are allowed to fly VLOS or EVLOS under the following conditions:

• Below 120 m / 400 ft in uncontrolled airspace
• At least 30 m / 98 ft away from people
• Away from crowds, prisons, military, and critical infrastructure facilities

Flight next to airports and airfields are allowed up to 5 nautical miles. However, if you’re staying within 3 to 5 nautical miles of the airport, the max allowed altitude is 30 m/ 100 ft. Closer operations will require a separate authorization.

Autonomous drone operations are prohibited, but you can rely on automated modes as long as these can be overridden at any time.

BVLOS flights will require a certificate of airworthiness — CAER or CAVE — granted by ANAC. The process is further described in RBAC-E No. 94.

Final Thoughts

Compared to the 2010s, regulatory sentiment towards commercial drones has become much more favorable. Operations with proper registration and a valid pilot license can fly a great number of missions without seeking extra permits. At the same time, the EU and the UK also established pre-approved standard scenarios, allowing more advanced operational scenarios — higher altitude flights or BVLOS.

Still, important flight restrictions apply and compliance is non-negotiable. This post doesn’t constitute legal advice and you should always seek legal counsel when in doubt about specific rules.