Drone Laws in Brazil

Brazil Drone Regulations

According to Brazil’s national aviation authority, the Brazilian Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), flying a drone is legal in Brazil, but we recommend being aware of and compliant with the drone regulations listed below before doing so.

If you’d like to contact the ANAC directly before you travel with any questions you might have, here is their contact information: processes.pel@anac.gov.br / +32 02 277 4307

Why fly a drone in Brazil? To get great aerial shots like these!

General Rules for Flying a Drone in Brazil

Based on our research and interpretation of the laws, here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Brazil.

• Drone pilots must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
• Drone pilots cannot operate more than one drone at the same time.
• Drone pilots must maintain a visual line of sight with their drone at all times.
• Drone pilots flying a drone that weighs over .55 lbs (250g) must hold insurance that covers damage to third parties.
• Any drone that weighs over .55 lbs (250g) must be registered in ANAC’s Unmanned Aircraft System (SISANT), and the registration ID must be accessible on the UAV. Access the registry here.
• As a general rule, drones that weigh over .55 lbs (250g) may only fly in areas 98 feet (30m) or more away from people not involved in the flight, under the full responsibility of the pilot operator and according to rules of use of the Department of Airspace Control (DECEA) airspace. If there is a protective barrier between the equipment and the persons specified, this distance need not be observed.
• Flying is not allowed over prisons, military facilities, or other critical infrastructure.
• Flying is not allowed 98 feet (30m) or less from a building.
• Flying is not allowed over people.
• If flying three to five nautical miles from an airport the maximum altitude allowed is 100 feet. If flying five miles from an airport the maximum altitude allowed is 100 to 400 feet. Flights closer to an airport than three miles require a NOTAM issued by SARPAS.
• To fly a drone that weighs over .55 lbs (250g) closer than 98 feet (30m) to people it is necessary that the people agree in advance to the operation.
• Autonomous operations of drones (that is, the use of drones where the remote pilot is not able to intervene) are prohibited. Autonomous drone operations are different from automated drone operations, in which the remote pilot can intervene at any point.
• Depending on the details of your operations, a license might be required. Scroll down to learn more about licensing in Brazil.

For more information on Brazil’s drone laws, see this page on the ANAC website.

Know something we don’t about drone laws in Brazil? Send us an email at support@horizonap.com. We are not international aviation attorneys and do our best to keep this page up-to-date for drone pilots, but the reality is that given the pace of the small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) industry and how governments are responding, drone regulations in Brazil can change throughout the year, and those changes can be hard to track. If we missed something, please reach out to let us know.

Licensing Requirements for Flying a Drone in Brazil

If you’re flying a drone that weighs less than .55 lbs and you’re flying under 400 feet then ANAC considers you licensed for its purposes, and you don’t need any additional documentation.

On the other hand, a license is required by ANAC in these circumstances:

• Class 1: Your drone weighs more than 330 lbs and you want to fly above 400 feet.
• Class 2: Your drone weighs between 55 lbs and 330 lbs and you want to fly above 400 feet.
• Class 3: Your drone weighs 55 lbs or less and you want to fly above 400 feet.

In addition to obtaining a license, drone pilots operating in Class 1 or Class 2 must hold an Aeronautical Medical Certificate (CMA) issued by ANAC or a third class CMA issued by the DECEA.

Learn more about licensing requirements on ANAC’s website.

Want to get a feel for the kind of footage you could get flying a drone in Brazil? Here you go: