Drone laws in the Canary Islands: Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote

You can fly a drone in the Canary Islands, but it takes planning. The islands follow Spain's EU drone rules from AESA: register as an operator if Spain is your first EU country, label your drone, fly below 120 m, and check the ENAIRE drone map. Every main island has its own airport, the four national parks (including Teide and Timanfaya) need park approval, and urban flights need a notice to the Ministry of the Interior.

Spain's rules in short

• Register with AESA if Spain is the first EU country where you fly. Camera drones need registration even under 250 g. Put the operator number on the drone.
• Training: none for a sub-250 g drone without a class label, such as a US DJI Mini 5 Pro. Heavier drones need the A1/A3 certificate.
• Fly below 120 m, in sight, and never over crowds.
• Urban areas: AESA says Royal Decree 517/2024 requires every drone flight in an urban zone to be communicated to the Ministry of the Interior 5 days in advance, and open-category pilots need the owners' permission to fly over buildings.

Details are in drone laws in Spain.

Airports on every island

Tenerife has two airports (North and South), and Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro each have one. Their control zones cover a lot of each island's coast, including busy resort areas. Royal Decree 517/2024 prohibits drone flights in airport zones unless they're coordinated in advance with the airport manager. The ENAIRE Drones map shows the zones. Check your exact spot before every flight.

Tenerife

• Teide National Park: a national park and World Heritage Site. Drones need park authorization, so plan on no.
• Tenerife South airport sits near the southern resorts, and Tenerife North is close to La Laguna and Santa Cruz.
• Coastal cliffs like Los Gigantes are popular, but the town below is urban and parts of the coast are protected. Check the map and stay away from people and boats.

Gran Canaria

• Gran Canaria airport is on the east coast, between Las Palmas and the southern resorts.
• Maspalomas dunes are a protected natural reserve. Don't fly there without approval.
• Roque Nublo and the mountain center sit in protected natural areas. Ask the island authorities first.

Lanzarote

• Timanfaya National Park: a national park. Drones need park authorization, so plan on no.
• Lanzarote airport is near Arrecife, with resort areas on either side.
• Natural parks such as Los Volcanes and the Chinijo Archipelago are protected. Check before you fly.

Protected areas everywhere

A large share of the Canaries is covered by protected natural spaces. Many need approval from the island council (cabildo) or the Canarian government for drone flights. The ENAIRE map shows some of these areas, but not every local rule. When in doubt, ask.

Wind and weather

Trade winds are strong and steady, especially on the eastern islands and around headlands. Watch DJI Fly's wind warnings, fly into the wind first, and land with a healthy battery. Volcanic dust and sand get into motors, so launch from a pad.

Insurance

Spain's insurance rules depend on drone weight and how you fly. A third-party liability policy that covers Spain is a good idea regardless. See drone insurance for Europe.

Which drone to bring

A sub-250 g drone keeps the paperwork light. The DJI Mini 5 Pro has a 1-inch sensor for volcanic landscapes and Atlantic sunsets. Before you fly to the islands, read flying in Europe as a US tourist and traveling with a drone. Visiting the mainland? See Barcelona.

Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.

Related guides

• Can you fly a drone in Santorini and the Greek islands?
• Drone laws in the US Virgin Islands
• Drone laws in the Cayman Islands: flying there as a visitor
• Drone laws in the Cook Islands: can you fly on Rarotonga?
• Drone laws in the Faroe Islands: what visitors need to know
• Can you fly a drone at Garden of the Gods?

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