Plan
Drone rules: Malta
Last checked: October 5, 2026
Allowed with conditions
Flying is allowed, but with conditions you need to know before you travel.
The entire airspace is controlled: every flight needs clearance via the IDRONECT portal, and flights are allowed from 30 minutes after sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset. For automatic clearances, Transport Malta states a maximum of 120 m on one page and 60 m on another – if in doubt, plan for 60 m.
Required from 250 g or with a camera or sensor. As a visitor, you also register on tmcad.idronect.com; if you already have an EASA operator number, a three-month registration for €10 is sufficient.
Liability insurance is mandatory for every drone regardless of weight; check that your policy is valid in the country.
For tourists
As a visitor, you register on tmcad.idronect.com, upload proof of insurance and submit a request for each flight with date, time, location and height. IDRONECT approves flights within the limits automatically.
Further rules
- In Malta, you register as a drone operator via the platform of Transport Malta (Civil Aviation Directorate) – mandatory from 250 grams take-off weight or for any drone with a camera or other recording sensor.
- In principle, you register in the EASA state where you live – the EASA area comprises the EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – and the operator number is valid throughout the EASA area. For flights in Malta, however, visitors must also register on the IDRONECT platform (tmcad.idronect.com): with an EASA operator number a three-month registration for 10 euros is sufficient; without one, you register as an EASA operator for 25 euros.
- In Malta, third-party liability insurance is required for every drone, regardless of weight – the authority justifies this on the grounds that practically all of Maltese airspace is considered controlled.
- Because the airspace is controlled throughout, it is worth checking Transport Malta's geographical zone requirements before every flight, as many areas require separate clearance.
- In the open category, the maximum flight altitude is 120 metres above ground; Transport Malta also states this limit for automatic clearances. However, another information page of the authority gives 60 metres for automatic clearances – if in doubt, plan for 60 metres or ask Transport Malta.
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.