The Laws of Drone Flight Around the World - Illustration
Over time, drones have grown increasingly intricate, and the complexity of regulations surrounding them has multiplied exponentially. Surfshark compiled data from countries across the globe and created eye-catching visuals to help illustrate where drone usage remains legally permissible. As a VPN provider, Surfshark took on the ambitious task of conducting the most comprehensive study yet on international drone flight laws.
The company gathered data on drone regulations in 210 countries/regions to better understand how UAV Coach, RAND Corporation, UAV Systems International, and the Library of Congress monitor drone activity. They discovered that the regulations in each country/region could be categorized into one of seven types: total prohibition, effective bans, applicable restrictions (such as drone registration or permits, requiring additional observers, banning commercial use, etc.), line-of-sight flights, experimental flights beyond line-of-sight, unlimited (with conditions like taking off from private property and staying under 500 feet/150 meters, excluding heavy-lift drones over 250 grams), and unrestricted. For a full look at the raw data used in Surfshark’s special report, you can check it out here.
The infographic highlights the legal status of each country based on the laws in October 2020. It provides a comprehensive world map overview and offers a closer look at the various continents.
Europe stands out with some of the most lenient drone regulations globally. While several African nations have implemented certain drone restrictions, these often take the form of basic operational guidelines.
In North America, the regulations regarding line-of-sight flying are relatively relaxed. In fact, 33% of North American countries permit experimental drones to fly beyond sight, which represents the highest percentage among all continents and far exceeds the global average of 22%. Surfshark suggests this might be due to numerous tech companies exploring the use of drones as part of their delivery infrastructure.
South America presents a mixed scenario; no country has a complete ban on drones, though most require them to stay within sight. Some nations have specific rules for safety and environmental protection. For instance, on the Galapagos Islands, drones are prohibited unless pre-approved for scientific purposes.
In the Middle East and Central Asia, 21% of countries fully prohibit drones, representing 11% of the global total and the second-highest share among continents. However, a few nations are beginning to allow drones to fly beyond sight.
Oceania and the rest of Asia present a more permissive landscape. Most regions in Oceania lack specific drone regulations, and those that do typically permit flying as long as the drone remains within sight. No country in this area has imposed a complete ban on drone usage.
Africa shows a diverse range of regulations. Over half of the countries have no drone-related laws at all. However, 21% have a complete ban, which is the largest share among continents. Additionally, 13% have effectively banned drone technology, the second-highest share globally. Yet, there are promising developments, such as drones being used in Ghana and Rwanda to deliver medical supplies to remote areas. Other African countries allowing beyond-line-of-sight flights include Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Looking ahead, the demand for drone technology shows no signs of slowing down. The number of patents for drone technology has surged, rising from 7,076 in 2017 to 9,485 in 2018, marking a 34% increase. These infographics will likely continue evolving as regulations adjust in the coming years. Surfshark’s efforts provide one of the simplest ways to navigate the complex world of global drone flight laws.
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