Argentina AR
Argentina overhauled its drone rules with ANAC Resolution 550/2025 (RAAC Parts 100/101/102, in force since August 2025), replacing the old regime with a risk-based Open/Specific/Certified system. Drones under 250 g are now completely deregulated — no registration, course or permit. Drones from 250 g up to 25 kg (Open category) need a free, instant online self-registration (LV-R) via ANAC's Casillero Aeronáutico Digital (CAD) plus a free online basic-knowledge accreditation, but no prior flight authorization for ordinary VLOS daytime flying outside restricted areas.
Your plan
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You're good to go, just follow the local rules
- No registration needed
A 249 g drone with camera doesn't need to be registered in Argentina.
- Bringing your drone in
Argentina's standard traveller duty-free allowance (roughly USD 500 by air/sea, lower by land) generally covers a personal-use drone carried as accompanied luggage. A drone shipped or ordered separately falls under the general commercial import regime; one customs-guide example cites a 14% Derecho de Importación on NCM 8806.10.00 plus 21% IVA and a further 20% additional IVA for non-registered importers, but this is indicative only, not a verified official tariff ruling. Radio-transmitting drones need ENACOM homologation to be legally marketed/operated in Argentina; historically only an Argentine supplier could apply, though ENACOM has reportedly begun accepting some accredited international certifications since 2026 to avoid duplicate testing. Combined ENACOM + ANAC processing for commercial importers has been quoted at roughly 60-120 days. A tourist bringing a single personal drone as luggage is a different, faster case and is not expected to file a full ENACOM commercial homologation application, but this distinction is not explicitly spelled out in official guidance. Batteries: Carry-on only for spare lithium batteries. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100-160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares); over 160 Wh not permitted on passenger aircraft.
- Before each flight
Drones under 250 g: fully deregulated since August 2025 — no ANAC registration, accreditation or authorization needed anywhere in the country · Drones 250 g – 25 kg (Open category): register for free via the CAD self-registration system (LV-R) and complete ANAC's free online basic-knowledge accreditation before flying · Stay within visual line of sight (VLOS) at or below 122 m (400 ft) AGL, reduced to 43 m within 5 km of an aerodrome
Flying
- Drones under 250 g: fully deregulated since August 2025 — no ANAC registration, accreditation or authorization needed anywhere in the country
- Drones 250 g – 25 kg (Open category): register for free via the CAD self-registration system (LV-R) and complete ANAC's free online basic-knowledge accreditation before flying
- Stay within visual line of sight (VLOS) at or below 122 m (400 ft) AGL, reduced to 43 m within 5 km of an aerodrome
- Night flying is not permitted in the Open category except in rural zones; urban/night operations need a Specific-category authorization
- No flying in national parks (e.g. Iguazú), prohibited/restricted/danger areas, control zones (CTR) near airports, or areas designated 'Zona de No Vuelo' for RPAS, without express authorization from the relevant authority (APN for national parks, ANAC for airspace)
- No flying over police, firefighting, public-security or emergency operations without express approval
- Radio-transmitting drones should be equipment that can legally be operated on Argentine frequencies (ENACOM homologation applies to equipment marketed/imported commercially)
Commercial use: Commercial and any operation exceeding Open-category limits (BVLOS, night in urban areas, flight over people, >25 kg) falls into the Specific category and needs an ANAC Operator Certificate (CETA) with an approved Operations Manual and risk assessment (SGR), a licensed remote pilot with medical certificate, LV-R registration, and mandatory third-party civil liability insurance.
Registration & classes
| Registration | Yes (from 250 g) Free, automatic, online self-registration (Declaración Jurada Digital) through the Casillero Aeronáutico Digital (CAD): create an RPA profile, submit the drone's technical data as a sworn declaration, and receive the LV-R registration number and QR code immediately. Official sources reviewed do not clearly confirm whether a foreign visitor without an Argentine DNI/CUIL can complete this with only a passport, or whether the interface requires Spanish only — contact rpa@anac.gob.ar before travelling if unsure. |
|---|---|
| Pilot test | Sometimes (online, from 250 g) ANAC Open category basic knowledge accreditation (Acreditación de Conocimientos Básicos). Free online accreditation required for Open category drones (250 g – 25 kg); not required under 250 g. Some August 2025 government announcements suggested rural-only operations up to 25 kg were also exempted from training entirely — this specific point is not fully confirmed against the published RAAC 101 text, so treat rural exemptions with caution and verify current status with ANAC. |
| Remote ID | No No broadcast Remote ID mandate found in reviewed sources. The LV-R registration number (with QR code) issued at registration serves as the aircraft's traceable identifier. |
| Insurance | Depends Not required for Open category recreational/tourist flying under the sources reviewed. Mandatory third-party civil liability insurance applies to Specific category operators (CETA holders) and is generally expected for commercial operations. General civil liability for damage caused to third parties on the surface still applies to any operator regardless of category. |
| Foreign registration accepted | Unknown ANAC's CAD self-registration system is described as fast and automatic (immediate LV-R certificate), but reviewed official guidance does not confirm whether a foreign visitor without an Argentine DNI/CUIL can create a CAD account and register using only a passport — contact rpa@anac.gob.ar before travelling if in doubt. The Open category (250 g – 25 kg) requires an ANAC RPA profile and a free online basic-knowledge accreditation delivered in Spanish; non-Spanish speakers should plan for this. Drones under 250 g can be flown by anyone, including tourists, with no registration or accreditation. |
Weight classes
| Class | Weight | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Under 250 g | < 250 g | Fully deregulated since August 2025 — no ANAC registration, accreditation or authorization needed. General civil liability for damages still applies. |
| Open category | 250 g – 25 kg | Free online LV-R registration via CAD plus free online basic-knowledge accreditation. VLOS only, ≤122 m AGL (≤43 m within 5 km of an aerodrome), no night flying except in rural areas, no flight over prohibited/restricted/danger areas, national parks, CTRs or designated no-fly zones. |
| Specific category | 25 kg – 150 kg, or any operation beyond Open-category limits (BVLOS, night in urban areas, over people, etc.) | Requires an ANAC Operator Certificate (CETA) with approved Operations Manual and risk assessment (SGR), a licensed remote pilot with medical certificate, LV-R registration, and third-party liability insurance. |
| Certified category | > 150 kg | Treated like a crewed aircraft: full airworthiness and type-certification standards apply. |
Import & export
- Argentina's standard traveller duty-free allowance (roughly USD 500 by air/sea, lower by land) generally covers a personal-use drone carried as accompanied luggage. A drone shipped or ordered separately falls under the general commercial import regime; one customs-guide example cites a 14% Derecho de Importación on NCM 8806.10.00 plus 21% IVA and a further 20% additional IVA for non-registered importers, but this is indicative only, not a verified official tariff ruling.
- Radio-transmitting drones need ENACOM homologation to be legally marketed/operated in Argentina; historically only an Argentine supplier could apply, though ENACOM has reportedly begun accepting some accredited international certifications since 2026 to avoid duplicate testing. Combined ENACOM + ANAC processing for commercial importers has been quoted at roughly 60-120 days. A tourist bringing a single personal drone as luggage is a different, faster case and is not expected to file a full ENACOM commercial homologation application, but this distinction is not explicitly spelled out in official guidance.
- Batteries: Carry-on only for spare lithium batteries. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100-160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares); over 160 Wh not permitted on passenger aircraft.
- The 14% import duty and 21%/+20% IVA figures come from a private customs-guide example (NCM 8806.10.00) and are indicative, not verified against AFIP's current tariff schedule — confirm with a despachante de aduana before any commercial import.
- Tourists carrying one personal drone as accompanied luggage are generally not expected to complete ENACOM's commercial homologation filing, but the drone must still be registered with ANAC (250 g+) once in the country.
Export
- Argentina's dual-use and defense-related export controls (Ministerio de Defensa / Cancillería) can apply to military-grade or specialized UAV technology; ordinary consumer/prosumer camera drones are not normally affected.
Costs
| Operator registration | Free Validity: Not stated as time-limited in reviewed sources — the LV-R registration is tied to the specific aircraft |
|---|---|
| ANAC Open category basic knowledge accreditation (Acreditación de Conocimientos Básicos) | Free |
| Import taxes | 14 % duty + 21 % VAT Usually only for drones you buy abroad and bring in to keep. |
Guides
Flying in Argentina as a tourist Visitors
- Check your drone's weight
Under 250 g: completely deregulated, fly freely. 250 g – 25 kg: you need free ANAC registration and a free online accreditation before flying.
- Register via CAD
Create an RPA profile and submit the digital sworn declaration at the Casillero Aeronáutico Digital to get your LV-R registration number and QR code instantly. Open
- Complete the free basic-knowledge accreditation
Required online course for Open category operators (250 g – 25 kg) before flying. Open
- Check your drone's radio compliance
Mainstream consumer models are generally fine, but confirm your model isn't affected by any ENACOM restriction before your trip.
- Avoid restricted areas
Never fly in national parks (e.g. Iguazú), near airports/CTRs, or over designated no-fly zones; stay within 122 m AGL (43 m near aerodromes), VLOS, and daylight hours outside rural areas.
Sources
- ANAC — Nuevo marco normativo para la operación de drones · accessed 24 Sept 2026
- ANAC — Registro de VANT/SVANT (RPA/RPAS) · accessed 24 Sept 2026
- Aviacionline — Argentina Modernizes its Drone Regulations with a New ANAC Regulatory Framework · accessed 24 Sept 2026
- HORNERO — RAAC 100/101/102 (Agosto 2025): guía técnica para operar RPA/RPAS en Argentina · accessed 24 Sept 2026
- Infobae — El gobierno desreguló el uso de drones y eliminó restricciones para operar equipos inferiores a 250 gramos · accessed 24 Sept 2026
How the score is built
- Operator registration−10
- Pilot test (online)−5
- Mandatory insurance−3
- Night flight restricted−3
- Visitors must register locally−10
- Duty + VAT ≈ 35 %−21
- Radio / type certification−12
Every score starts at 100 and loses points for each requirement. How scoring works