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Drone rules: Canada

Last checked: October 5, 2026

Travel check for CanadaChecklist for your trip: registration, insurance, drone and batteries on the plane.
Maximum altitude
122 m
Registration
Not required

No registration under 250 g. From 250 g, visitors cannot register their drone and instead need a Foreign SFOC-RPAS and a Canadian drone pilot certificate.

Insurance
Not required

Not legally required, but recommended by Transport Canada.

Depending on drone weight

  • From 250 gPermit required· Registration: RequiredFrom 250 g a Foreign SFOC-RPAS and a Canadian pilot certificate are required (30 to 60 working days processing).

For tourists

With a drone under 250 g you fly without permission, except at advertised events. From 250 g you need a Foreign SFOC-RPAS from Transport Canada and a Canadian pilot certificate – processing takes 30 to 60 working days, so apply early.

Further rules

  • Residents of Canada register drones between 250 grams and 25 kilograms with Transport Canada and need a Canadian drone pilot certificate (Basic or Advanced). Visitors cannot register their drone; an EU competency certificate is not recognised.
  • Important for visitors from Germany: for any drone of 250 grams or more you need a special permit (Foreign SFOC-RPAS) and a Canadian drone pilot certificate; processing takes 30 to 60 working days – be sure to plan well ahead. You don't need the SFOC if you fly a drone registered by a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or company; you still need the Canadian pilot certificate.
  • Third-party liability insurance is not required by law in Canada, but Transport Canada explicitly recommends it.
  • For drones of 250 grams or more the maximum altitude is 400 feet (about 122 metres) above ground; in basic operations you keep at least 30 metres horizontally from people, 5.6 kilometres from certified airports and 1.9 kilometres from heliports. For microdrones under 250 grams, Transport Canada recommends staying below 400 feet.
  • Even with a microdrone under 250 grams you need a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) to fly at an advertised event.

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.