This world map shows how drones are regulated in every country.
Drones are flying gadgets that usually have small cameras installed for recreational, informational, or surveillance purposes. Nowadays, drone makers are becoming creative, repurposing them for the delivery of food and essential items, among many uses.
Many countries have their own legislation regarding drones. A majority of them mandate that drones should be within line of sight (marked in blue), with some outright requiring the line of sight rule (yellow).
A handful of countries allow the use of drones freely and without any restrictions (teal). These countries include:
- Panama
- Venezuela
- Argentina
- Sweden
- Estonia
- Chad
- Turkey
- Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic)
- Vietnam
Meanwhile, some countries allow drones but impose restrictions on using them (violet). These countries are located in the western part of South America, parts of Europe and Asia, and the African nation of Ghana.
There are those, however, whose laws do not permit the use of drones. These include countries that have an “effective ban” or whose legislations appear vaguely worded but ban drones anyway (orange), and those with an “outright ban” or whose rules explicitly outlaw and even criminalize the gadget’s use (red). These countries are found in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, including parts of the Middle East.
Countries marked in gray, including much of Africa, and a few Asian and South American nations, do not have laws that govern drone usage.
Interested in drones and making your own one? We recommend these reads:
- Drone Photography Basics: Your Guide to the Camera in the Sky
- Eyes over the World: The Most Spectacular Drone Photography
- Build a Drone: A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing, Constructing, and Flying Your Very Own Drone
- The Drone Age: How Drone Technology Will Change War and Peace
- Livin’ the Drone Life: An Insider’s Guide to Flying Drones for Fun and Profit
Help us out by sharing this map: