Plan
Drone rules: Cambodia
Last checked: October 5, 2026
Permit required
You may only fly here with a permit issued by the authorities in advance.
Since 30 December 2025 the Ministry of Defence has banned every drone flight nationwide without prior permission; there is no end date.
Instead of registration you need permission from the Ministry of Defence; no application route for tourists has been published.
For tourists
Better leave the drone at home: without a permit from the Ministry of National Defence, every flight is prohibited. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, flying drones is prohibited in Phnom Penh, Angkor Wat and other historic temple sites, although a permit can be obtained for some areas; violations have already been punished with heavy fines and imprisonment on suspicion of espionage.
Further rules
- On 30 December 2025, the Cambodian Ministry of Defence issued a directive imposing a nationwide ban on the launch and operation of all types of drones without prior permission; the ban is linked to the armed border conflict with Thailand and, according to available sources, remains in force as of mid-2026.
- The German Foreign Office warns against travel to the border area with Thailand (20 kilometres from the border), and the border crossings are closed. You should not take photos anywhere in the border area either, as overreactions by security forces cannot be ruled out.
- Breaches of the drone ban can be prosecuted, and the Cambodian armed forces are expressly authorised to take down unauthorised drones using counter-drone systems.
- You are therefore currently strongly advised not to take or fly a drone in Cambodia, regardless of your specific destination within the country.
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.