DRAAC - Dire莽茫o Regional do Ambiente e A莽茫o Clim谩tica
11 zones 路 Apply 10 days ahead
Drone zones 路 official ANAC data
Where can you fly a drone in Terceira?
Short answer
Outside the official zones you may fly in the EU open category: up to 120 m above the ground, within sight and away from people.
There are 14 official drone zones in Terceira. 14 zones need a permit before you fly, from DRAAC, DRPM, and National Aeronautical Authority.
Taking photos or video from a drone anywhere in Portugal also needs an authorisation from the National Aeronautical Authority (AAN).
Zones as published by ANAC on October 15, 2026. Official ANAC map
Drone zones on Terceira
| Zone | Rule | Highest you may fly | Who to ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| 脕rea Protegida para a Gest茫o de Habitats ou Esp茅cies da Costa das Quatro Ribeiras | Permit needed | Up to 120 m with a permit | DRAAC 路 drones.sraac@azores.gov.pt |
| 脕rea Protegida para a Gest茫o de Habitats ou Esp茅cies da Ponta das Contendas | Permit needed | Up to 120 m with a permit | DRAAC 路 drones.sraac@azores.gov.pt |
| 脕rea Protegida para a Gest茫o de Habitats ou Esp茅cies do Pico do Boi | Permit needed | Up to 120 m with a permit | DRAAC 路 drones.sraac@azores.gov.pt |
| 脕rea Protegida para a Gest茫o de Habitats ou Esp茅cies do Planalto Central e Costa Noroeste | Permit needed | Up to 120 m with a permit | DRAAC 路 drones.sraac@azores.gov.pt |
| 脕rea Protegida para a Gest茫o de Habitats ou Esp茅cies dos Ilh茅us das Cabras | Permit needed | Up to 120 m with a permit | DRAAC 路 drones.sraac@azores.gov.pt |
| Ilh茅u das Cabras | Permit needed | Up to 120 m with a permit | DRPM 路 info.drpm@azores.gov.pt |
| LPLA - Aeroporto das Lajes | Permit needed | Up to 120 m with a permit | National Aeronautical Authority 路 imagens.aereas@aan.pt |
| Monumento Natural das Furnas do Enxofre | Permit needed | Up to 120 m with a permit | DRAAC 路 drones.sraac@azores.gov.pt |
| Monumento Natural do Algar do Carv茫o | Permit needed | Up to 120 m with a permit | DRAAC 路 drones.sraac@azores.gov.pt |
| Pa煤l da Praia da Vit贸ria | Permit needed | Up to 120 m with a permit | DRAAC 路 drones.sraac@azores.gov.pt |
| Ponta das Contendas | Permit needed | Up to 120 m with a permit | DRPM 路 info.drpm@azores.gov.pt |
| Reserva Natural da Serra de Santa B谩rbara e dos Mist茅rios Negros | Permit needed | Up to 120 m with a permit | DRAAC 路 drones.sraac@azores.gov.pt |
| Reserva Natural da Terra Brava e Cria莽茫o das Lagoas | Permit needed | Up to 120 m with a permit | DRAAC 路 drones.sraac@azores.gov.pt |
| Reserva Natural do Biscoito da Ferraria e Pico Alto | Permit needed | Up to 120 m with a permit | DRAAC 路 drones.sraac@azores.gov.pt |
Rules that apply everywhere
- Stay below 120 m above the ground, keep the drone in sight and never fly over crowds or gatherings of people.
- Register as a drone operator if your drone weighs 250 g or more, or carries a camera and is not a toy. A registration from any EU country is valid in Portugal.
- Drones of 250 g or more also need the free online A1/A3 pilot certificate.
- Photos and video need an authorisation from the AAN, requested in the free e-AAN app. It lasts up to 30 days; request it about 10 days ahead.
- Temporary restrictions for events or emergencies are published as NOTAMs and may not be on this map.
Who gives permits
Each zone names the body that decides. Write to them with the dates, the exact place, your drone and your operator number.
DRPM - Dire莽茫o Regional das Politicas Mar铆timas
2 zones 路 Apply 10 days ahead
National Aeronautical Authority
1 zone 路 Apply 10 days ahead
Questions
Can I fly a drone in Terceira?
Yes, outside the official zones and within the EU open-category rules: below 120 m above the ground, in sight and away from people. There are 14 zones in Terceira where the rules are stricter, all listed on this page.
Do I need permission to film with a drone?
Yes. In Portugal any photo or video taken from a drone needs an authorisation from the National Aeronautical Authority (AAN). It is free, requested in the e-AAN app and valid for up to 30 days.
Can I fly over the nature reserves?
Only with a permit from DRAAC and DRPM. The protected areas are listed on this page as zones that need a permit; apply at least 10 days ahead.
Where does this map come from?
From ANAC, Portugal's civil aviation authority, which publishes the official drone zones in the European ED-318 format. This page shows the version of October 15, 2026. It is for information: check the official map at dnt.anac.pt before every flight.