Plan
Drone rules: Bahrain
Last checked: October 5, 2026
Currently suspended
Drone operations are currently suspended. The details below only apply again once the suspension is lifted.
Since 28 March 2026 all drone use has been prohibited; according to the Ministry of Transportation, all drone activities and the processing of permit applications are suspended until further notice.
For tourists
Don't plan on flying: violations can lead to the drone being destroyed immediately and to prosecution. Check before travelling whether the ban still applies.
Further rules
- A complete drone ban currently applies: on 28 March 2026 the Ministry of Interior prohibited any use of drones, whatever the purpose, because of the tense security situation – until further notice. Violations can lead to the drone being destroyed on the spot and to prosecution. The authority is currently not processing permit applications either. The rules below only apply again once the ban is lifted.
- In Bahrain, every drone must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority, regardless of weight. Larger categories from 5 kilograms also require an import permit in advance, before the device may even be brought into the country.
- Before every single flight, you need a permit from the authority, which must be applied for at least seven working days in advance and requires clearance from the Bahrain Defence Force and/or the Ministry of Interior. Proof of insurance is part of the application documents, so in practice third-party liability insurance is a prerequisite for any legal flight.
- The maximum flight altitude is 122 metres (400 feet), except near airports, where separate permission is required.
- In practice, customs often don't allow drones to be imported at all – confiscations have been reported even when no use in the country was planned.
- For short-term tourists, the official route is therefore hardly practical; if you don't plan at least a week ahead and aren't prepared for your drone to be held at customs, you're better off leaving it at home.
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.