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Drone rules: Philippines

Last checked: October 5, 2026

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

For non-commercial flights (sport and recreation) you only need registration, a controller certificate and an operator certificate from 7 kg; commercially used drones must be registered regardless of weight.

Insurance
Not required

Not required for private flights; only within commercial certificates.

Depending on drone weight

  • From 7 kg· Registration: RequiredFrom 7 kg registration with CAAP plus remote pilot and operator certificates.

For tourists

Popular destinations such as Boracay, El Nido, Coron, Siargao and Intramuros also require a permit from the municipality. Within 10 km of airports you may only fly with a Special Flight Permit from the CAAP.

Further rules

  • According to the aviation authority CAAP, all commercially used drones must be registered regardless of weight, private drones only from 7 kilograms. For typical travel drones used privately, no registration is therefore needed.
  • Some sources cite 250 grams as the registration threshold; the CAAP registration page states 7 kilograms for private drones. The authority's information is what counts.
  • From 7 kilograms and for any commercial use – which also includes paid photo and film jobs – the CAAP additionally requires a UAS controller certificate and an operator certificate. Only in this context is third-party liability insurance mandatory; for private flights it is not compulsory, but is strongly recommended.
  • In uncontrolled airspace, the maximum flight altitude is 400 feet, equivalent to around 122 metres above ground. The drone must remain within direct visual line of sight at all times; night flights are not permitted without a separate CAAP permit.
  • Since Memorandum Circular 026-2025, flying drones within 10 kilometres of airports is prohibited; according to the CAAP it is only possible there with a Special Flight Permit. You must keep a minimum distance of 30 metres from uninvolved people, and flights over populated areas also require a Special Flight Permit.
  • Important for travellers: several of the most popular destinations also regulate drone flights at municipal level. On Boracay, a separate permit from the local administration is required; separate restrictions are also reported for El Nido, Coron, Siargao and the historic Intramuros district in Manila. CAAP registration alone is not enough there.
  • Importing a drone as personal luggage is not a problem – no separate import permit is required, and there are no reports of systematic confiscations at customs.

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.