Can You Fly A Drone In Greece 2025? The Ultimate Guide
One of the questions we get asked the most after three years of living in this incredible country, is can you fly a drone in Greece? With crystal clear harbours, mountain pistes and countless islands, Greece is picture-perfect from above, and capturing drone footage here is a dream.
Why not head off on a 10 day Greece itinerary that takes in all the best spots to capture Greece by drone?
We asked Josh from A Backpacker’s World to give a complete overview to flying a drone in Greece, to make sure you stay legal while capturing footage of a lifetime.
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So, can you fly a drone in Greece?
To sum it up in one sentence, yes! Flying a drone is legal in Greece, authorised by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA). Please read on to familiarise yourself with the rules and licenses required to fly.
This is excellent news for drone owners, operators, and lovers of Greece! Being able to see the beautiful cities, towns, and islands of Greece from above is an opportunity not to be missed. And to be able to capture it on a drone- wow. Take a look for yourself.
Getting your drone into Greece
Luckily, there are no restrictions or anything around bringing your drone into Greece. You can bring a drone into Greece with no problems or hassle from customs. This is much easier than in other countries such as bordering Turkey, which has a very confusing system for bringing a drone into the country.
Please be aware of the rules for your airline. Most airlines have strict restrictions for flying with lithium batteries. Read up on these rules from your airline before your flight.
As part of the European Union (EU), when flying a drone in Greece, or bringing a drone into Greece, you must comply with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), you can find out more about them by clicking here.
Do you need a license to fly your drone in Greece?
Unfortunately, a license is required for flying drones in Greece. You must complete an application before each flight. You can apply here. This means that you will need to plan all flights in advance and unfortunately spontaneous drone flying will not be possible in Greece.
You must also obtain special permission for using a drone for commercial purposes such as surveying or mapping. You can apply here. It is not worth risking flying with no license as you can be fined hundreds of Euros, and have your drone confiscated. You must also comply with all the rules for flying a drone in Greece.
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Rules for flying a drone in Greece
Being a drone operator, you will be well used to flying under rules and regulations. The rules in Greece are pretty standard, but it is worth familiarising yourself with these rules to avoid any issues. The main rules for flying a drone in Greece are as follows:
- You must not fly over 120 metres (just under 400 feet)
- You must only fly in daylight and in good weather conditions
- You cannot fly over private property without the owner’s permission
- You must keep a direct line of sight with the drone
- You must be over 18 years old
As with every country, the standard universal rule of avoiding airports, prisons, police stations, military bases etc. applies. Avoid all places of sensitivity. It’s also mandatory to have drone insurance for all private flights.
Best places to fly a drone in Greece
Now that we have the rules and regulations out of the way, we can focus on the important stuff. The best places to fly a drone in Greece.
We have compiled a list of our favourite spots, including some of the best islands of Greece, and they are guaranteed to produce some beautiful videos.
Here are our top 5:
Athens (can you fly a drone over the Acropolis?)
Where better to start than the beautiful city of Athens? A city with so much history and culture is destined to create some amazing drone footage. The buildings, landmarks, and monuments really show up well from a drone, and truly give a unique perspective of the capital.
Although many people have and still do fly their drones over the Acropolis, you should get the approval of the Cultural Ministry to do so legally. They will usually ask for a fee to grant permission for this. If you want to fly your drone here without permission, do so at your own risk!
Flying a drone in Santorini
Santorini is already one of the most picturesque parts of Greece and has 7 million posts on Instagram for a reason! Picture the beauty of Santorini, and imagine it from above. Luckily you don’t need to imagine it, fly your drone up and see for yourself. It’s possibly the best of the lot!
The obvious place to fly your drone in Santorini is over one of the stunning white-washed towns. But for something a little different why not head to one of Santorini’s black sand beaches and get some unique footage of these incredible landscapes.
Zakynthos Cliffs
The seaside cliffs of Zakynthos make for some excellent footage. Flying a drone over the sea and looking into the island really shows off the tropical beauty the island posses. The cliffs look like something out of a dream!
Leprosy Island
This part of Greece leads to some outstanding content. Crete as a whole is amazing, but seeing it from above is next level. Words can only describe how good the footage comes out. Luckily, a picture tells a thousand words, and there’s no better way to get a picture than through a drone.
Monemvasia
Monemvasia in Greece is a bit of a hidden gem. This incredible spot on mainland Greece is close to Athens but worlds away in atmosphere, with fewer crowds and a more remote feel. It’s even better from the air, especially at sunset, when this town etched into a mountain lights up golden orange.
Kalampaka
Located high in the mountains of Meteora in Trikala, lies Kalampaka. Seeing this small town is a fairy tale in itself, but snapping it on a drone is even better. It’s like being on a whole other planet. It just doesn’t seem real. Except it is, and it’s a great place to fly a drone!
The Corinth Canal
This is an awesome spot to sly your drone, and you won’t have to travel too far from Athens to see it. The Corinth Canal is a world famous site, built centuries ago and still impressing everyone who gets the chance to see it today. As a sailor, this site holds even more wonder.
Can you fly a drone in Greece? Wrap Up
Hopefully you leave feeling more confident about flying a drone in Greece and the rules around it. So if you are visiting the most beautiful country in the world, make sure to take a drone. You won’t want to miss out on the opportunities. The footage it creates is breathtaking!
If you’re looking for the holiday of a lifetime then why not have the ultimate time sailing in Greece? This country is even more stunning by sailboat, as you’ll be able to reach all the hidden anchorages that no one else can get to. Check out the best drones for sailing before you head off.
Follow us for more information on sailing in Greece and the liveaboard lifestyle.
