<p>The use of drones in Ireland is covered by the regulations in the <a href="https://www.iaa.ie/publications/docs/default-source/publications/legislation/statutory-instruments-(orders)/small-unmanned-aircraft-(drones)-and-rockets-order-s-i-563-of-2015" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Small Unmanned Aircraft (Drones) and Rockets Order, 2015</a> (SI 563 of 2015). There are also Aeronautical Notices that apply to the use of drones only.  These notices can be checked on the <a href="https://www.iaa.ie/publications?taxonomy=categories&amp;propertyName=category&amp;taxon=%2Fpublication-categories%2Faeronautical-notices" rel="nofollow noreferrer">website of the Irish Aviation Authority</a>.</p>

<p>Broadly, the regulations require that any drone flown in Ireland may not be operated:</p>

<ul>
<li>if it will be a hazard to another aircraft in flight</li>
<li>over an assembly of 12 persons or more</li>
<li>farther than 300m from the person operating the drone</li>
<li>within 30m of any person, vessel or structure not under the control of the person operating the drone</li>
<li>within 5km of an aerodrome</li>
<li>in a "<em>negligent or reckless manner</em>" so as to "<em>endanger life or property of others</em>"</li>
<li>more than 400ft (120m) above ground level</li>
<li>over urban areas</li>
<li>in civil or military-controlled airspace</li>
<li>in restricted areas (e.g. military installations, prisons, etc.)</li>
<li>unless the person operating the drone has permission from the landowner for take-off and landing.</li>
</ul>

<hr>

<p>Note that the situation in Ireland will change later this year (2020), when the new European Regulations on the rules and procedures for the operation of drones (or "<em>Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)</em>”) come into force.</p>

<p>The situation is explained in <a href="https://www.iaa.ie/docs/default-source/publications/aeronautical-notices/u---unmanned-aircraft/the-pending-introduction-of-(eu)-regulations-in-the-area-of-unmanned-aircraft-systems-(uas)-in-ireland.pdf?sfvrsn=8d231ef3_4" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Aeronatical Notice U.06</a>, with the catchy title: <em>The pending introduction of (EU) Regulations in the area of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in Ireland</em>, available to read or download from the website of the Irish Aviation Authority. </p>

<hr>

<p>The most up-to-date information can always be obtained from the <a href="https://www.iaa.ie/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">website of the Irish Aviation Authority</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-15T10:38:45.003Z
2020-04-21T03:39:55.330Z
2020-04-21T03:39:55.330Z
sempaiscuba
<p>I am thinking about starting to fly drones in Ireland.  What are the rules that are going to apply, and where can I find the latest information about the laws that govern the hobby in Ireland.</p>

<regulations><ireland>
What aviation regulations govern the use of drones in Ireland?
sempaiscuba
# What aviation regulations govern the use of drones in Ireland?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-04-15)

I am thinking about starting to fly drones in Ireland. What are the rules that are going to apply, and where can I find the latest information about the laws that govern the hobby in Ireland.

**Tags:** regulations, ireland

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2020-04-15. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

The use of drones in Ireland is covered by the regulations in the [Small Unmanned Aircraft (Drones) and Rockets Order, 2015](https://www.iaa.ie/publications/docs/default-source/publications/legislation/statutory-instruments-(orders)/small-unmanned-aircraft-(drones)-and-rockets-order-s-i-563-of-2015) (SI 563 of 2015). There are also Aeronautical Notices that apply to the use of drones only. These notices can be checked on the [website of the Irish Aviation Authority](https://www.iaa.ie/publications?taxonomy=categories&propertyName=category&taxon=%2Fpublication-categories%2Faeronautical-notices).

Broadly, the regulations require that any drone flown in Ireland may not be operated:

* if it will be a hazard to another aircraft in flight
* over an assembly of 12 persons or more
* farther than 300m from the person operating the drone
* within 30m of any person, vessel or structure not under the control of the person operating the drone
* within 5km of an aerodrome
* in a "*negligent or reckless manner*" so as to "*endanger life or property of others*"
* more than 400ft (120m) above ground level
* over urban areas
* in civil or military-controlled airspace
* in restricted areas (e.g. military installations, prisons, etc.)
* unless the person operating the drone has permission from the landowner for take-off and landing.

---

Note that the situation in Ireland will change later this year (2020), when the new European Regulations on the rules and procedures for the operation of drones (or "*Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)*”) come into force.

The situation is explained in [Aeronatical Notice U.06](https://www.iaa.ie/docs/default-source/publications/aeronautical-notices/u---unmanned-aircraft/the-pending-introduction-of-(eu)-regulations-in-the-area-of-unmanned-aircraft-systems-(uas)-in-ireland.pdf?sfvrsn=8d231ef3_4), with the catchy title: *The pending introduction of (EU) Regulations in the area of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in Ireland*, available to read or download from the website of the Irish Aviation Authority.

---

The most up-to-date information can always be obtained from the [website of the Irish Aviation Authority](https://www.iaa.ie/).


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