Plan

Drone rules: Algeria

Last checked: October 5, 2026

Permit required

You may only fly here with a permit issued by the authorities in advance.

Purchase, import and operation only with approval from the National Drone Centre (Ministry of Defence); no clear procedure for tourists has been published.

Travel check for AlgeriaChecklist for your trip: registration, insurance, drone and batteries on the plane.

Maximum altitude

Unknown

Registration

Required

Mandatory registration with the National Drone Centre, including a criminal record certificate; as a foreigner you need proof of residence or a residence card. A drone registered abroad can only be registered after that registration has been cancelled.

Insurance

Not clearly documented

For approved competitions you must provide proof of insurance; a general insurance requirement for recreational flights is not documented.

For tourists

There is no published procedure for holidaymakers: temporary import requires prior approval from the National Centre (processing up to 30 days), and recreational flights are only allowed in designated zones. Unapproved drones are confiscated at the border.

Further rules

Important: Algeria has regulated drones since Presidential Decree No. 21-285 (2021), supplemented by several orders in 2025. Purchase, import and export require approval from the National Drone Centre, which reports to the Ministry of Defence; private individuals may acquire only a single drone for leisure or competition.
Travellers consistently report drones being confiscated on arrival – and unlike in some neighbouring countries, there is no storage system that lets you get your device back when you leave.
Recreational and competition flights are only allowed in zones defined and published by the National Centre, and you must keep the drone within direct line of sight. The orders reviewed do not state a general maximum altitude; for competitions, participants must provide proof of insurance.
So for a trip to Algeria: it's best not to bring your drone at all. There is no apparent practical legal route for tourists.

Sources

This overview is not legal advice and not an official statement — laws change, and we cannot guarantee that every entry is fully up to date. Before your flight, please also check the official source or the local civil aviation authority.