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Drone licence in Portugal: how to get your A1/A3 certificate step by step
In short
- To fly a drone with a camera in Portugal you need the A1/A3 certificate, valid in all 31 EASA countries.
- ANAC runs the exam online, but you can only log in with a Chave Móvel Digital.
- You can also sit the exam with another EASA authority, for example in Spain, where it is free and online.
- To fly in the A2 subcategory you need a second exam, in person at ANAC.
- Before you fly: register as an operator and, for drones over 900 g, take out liability insurance.
To fly a drone in Portugal you almost always need the A1/A3 certificate, which ANAC, the Portuguese civil aviation authority, issues after an online exam. This guide covers the steps, the requirements for the A2 certificate, registration and insurance, and a little-known option: sitting the exam with another EASA authority.
The certificate is European: once you have it, it is valid in all 31 EASA countries, Portugal included.
Who needs a drone licence in Portugal
You need the A1/A3 certificate to fly any drone with a camera, even one under 250 grams. Only toy drones without a camera are exempt.
The A1/A3 certificate lets you fly in the Open category:
- A1: with light drones (under 250 g, or class C0 and C1), near uninvolved people but never over crowds.
- A3: with drones up to 25 kg, at least 150 metres from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas.
If you want to fly a class C2 drone closer to people, you will also need the A2 certificate after your A1/A3.
The ANAC A1/A3 exam step by step
ANAC is the only body in Portugal that issues the A1/A3 certificate. The exam is online.
- Log in to rp.anac.pt with your Chave Móvel Digital. Since April 2022 this is the only way in, and your identity data must match your CMD record.
- Sit the multiple-choice exam online.
- Pass with at least 75%.
- Download your certificate. It is valid for 5 years and can be renewed.
If you live in Portugal without a Chave Móvel Digital, or you are visiting from abroad, you will not be able to access the ANAC platform: see the next section. Source: ANAC, Exams and Certificates.
The alternative: sit the exam in another EASA country
You do not have to take the A1/A3 exam with ANAC. Any aviation authority in the 31 EASA countries can issue it, and ANAC confirms that certificates from other member states are valid in Portugal with no conversion.
In Spain, for example, the A1/A3 exam run by AESA is free, online and open to any nationality. Your browser’s translator is enough to get through it.
Our course includes links to the official exam in every EASA country, with instructions on how to register.
The A2 certificate in Portugal
The A2 builds on your A1/A3 and adds practical self-training and a second theory exam.
| A1/A3 certificate | From Portugal or any other EASA country |
|---|---|
| Practical training | Self-training in A3 conditions, following the EASA guidance, plus knowledge of your drone’s manual |
| Exam | In person at ANAC, on the dates in its exam calendar |
| Pass mark | 75% |
| Validity | 5 years |
Source: ANAC, A2 subcategory.
Registration, insurance and aerial photography
As well as your certificate, you need to register as an operator and, depending on the drone, insure it.
- Operator registration: on the ANAC UAS portal, for drones of 250 g or more or with a camera. Display your operator number on every drone. If you live in another EU country, register there instead: your home registration is valid in Portugal.
- Insurance: third-party liability insurance is mandatory for drones over 900 g, and you enter the policy details on the UAS portal.
- Aerial photos and video: in Portugal you need prior authorisation from the Autoridade Aeronáutica Nacional (AAN) to capture aerial images, requested through its e-AAN service at least 10 days in advance.
Check the prohibited and restricted zones on the ANAC geographical zones page before every flight.
Your certificate and your registration are two different things: the certificate is about you as a pilot, the registration is about you as the drone’s operator.
How to prepare for the exam
The quickest route is an online course that takes you straight to the official exam.
The EU Drone Port A1/A3 course is built for exactly that:
- Video lessons online, whenever you like.
- 5 mock exams and a final exam.
- Links to the official exam in every EASA country.
- Lifetime access, handy for renewal after 5 years.
EU Drone Port is an Official Designated Training Entity. The course prepares you for the exam: the certificate is issued by the authority where you sit it.
Want to test yourself first? Download our free 25 practice questions for A1/A3 and A2.
For the A2, there is the A2 course, with mock exams and a guide to practical self-training.
Online course
Prepare for your A1/A3 exam
Video lessons online at your own pace, 5 mock exams and links to the official exam in every EASA country. A course by an Official Designated Training Entity.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the ANAC exam without a Chave Móvel Digital?
No. Since April 2022 the ANAC platform only accepts Chave Móvel Digital logins. Without one, you can sit the exam with another EASA authority.
Is a drone certificate from another country valid in Portugal?
Yes. A certificate issued by any EASA authority is valid in all 31 EASA countries, Portugal included, with no conversion.
How long is the drone certificate valid?
The A1/A3 and A2 certificates are valid for 5 years.
Do I need a licence for a drone under 250 grams?
Yes, if it has a camera. Only toy drones without a camera are exempt.
Is drone insurance mandatory in Portugal?
It is mandatory for drones over 900 g. For lighter drones it is not compulsory, but it is still a good idea.
Can I take photos with my drone in Portugal?
Yes, but you need prior authorisation from the AAN through its e-AAN service.
How long does it take to prepare?
With a structured online course, a few hours is enough: our A1/A3 course takes about three and a half hours, mock exams included.