Hey everyone! First time visiting Barcelona and Madrid, and I found mixed answers online.
Can I fly my DJI Neo (under 250g) there? Do I need to register, get insurance, or a permit? Any good apps I should download?
Yeah, you have to register yourself.
- You need to register your drone in any EU country (it’s free).
- You need liability insurance.
- You have to check no-fly zones in Spain: ENAIRE Drones on the App Store
Barcelona and Madrid are basically no-fly zones.
@Whitney
Thanks! So if both cities are no-fly zones, registering it is pointless too, right? Haha.
Lior said:
@Whitney
Thanks! So if both cities are no-fly zones, registering it is pointless too, right? Haha.
If you don’t follow the rules, they can confiscate your drone and fine you anywhere from €15,000 to €75,000 
You pretty much can’t fly in cities because you have to stay 50-150m away from buildings (this applies across the EU).
Also, there are tons of airports, heliports, and aerodromes. Like others said, download the enaire app to check restricted areas.
Oh, and national parks need a permit too—no flying there without one.
It’s refreshing when someone actually wants to follow the rules. Respect!
@Drew
Appreciate the info! So is it safe to say that in most places, I won’t be able to fly? If that’s the case, I might just leave my Neo at home.
Haha, are you saying people just ignore the rules and fly anyway?
@Lior
Yeah, most places you’d want to fly—scenic towns, cool landscapes, cities—are no-fly zones. I always try to get a permit, but honestly, it’s a hassle. For national parks, the process takes forever, and for cities, they won’t even give you one for personal use.
And yeah, a lot of drone pilots ignore the rules. Some rules are ridiculous, but breaking them only makes things worse with stricter regulations.