Flying a drone in Qatar: zones, hours and the 2026 drone law

Where and when you can fly a drone in Qatar today, what the new drone law (Law No. 10 of 2026) requires, which hobby rules are still waiting to be published, and how to stay out of trouble.

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

Main law: Law No. 10 of 2026 on unmanned aircraft, run by the QCAA
Where you can fly now: Only in designated zones shown in the Metrash app (MOI, from 29 Sept 2026)
When you can fly: Sunrise to 9 am, and 2 pm to sunset
Hobby licence and registration steps: Required by the law, but the detailed rules were not yet published (Oct 2026)

Drones are popular in Qatar for desert, beach and skyline shots, but the rules have changed a lot in 2026 and are still being filled in. Two sets of rules now apply. The first is Law No. 10 of 2026, which puts all drone flying under the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) and requires registration and licences; its detailed regulations, including any special rules for hobby flyers, had not been published when this guide was checked in October 2026. The second is a Ministry of Interior (MOI) decision of 29 September 2026: after a nationwide ban that started in March, drones may again be flown, but only inside designated zones shown in the Metrash app and only in two daily time windows. This guide is for residents and families who own or want to buy a drone. It explains what is confirmed, what is not yet published, and how to fly without breaking either set of rules.

Before you start

Your Qatar ID and a working Metrash account (you need it to see the permitted drone zones)
Your drone's make, model, serial number and weight, so you are ready when QCAA registration details are announced
Proof of where and when you bought the drone (receipt or invoice)
A clear idea of what you will film, so you stay away from people, private homes and sensitive sites
Today's sunrise and sunset times, because the permitted hours depend on them
Spare charged batteries, so you are not tempted to fly in a hurry or outside the time window
If you plan paid work (weddings, property, adverts): a company or trade licence and insurance, as the law requires for professional use

Step by step

Understand the two sets of rules
Drone flying in Qatar is now governed by two things at once. Law No. 10 of 2026 sets the long-term framework: every drone must be registered, operators need licences or permits, and the QCAA decides which drone types are allowed, where they can fly and how high. On top of that, the Ministry of Interior decided on 29 September 2026 that drones may only be flown in designated zones and at set hours. You have to follow both, so being inside a permitted zone does not excuse you from registering once registration opens.
Know what is and is not confirmed
Confirmed: the law exists, registration and licensing are mandatory, and the MOI zones and hours are in force. Not yet published (as of mid-October 2026): the executive regulations, the exact licence categories, how individuals apply, any fees, and whether small or toy drones get any exemption. The QCAA has said it will announce the regulations on its official channels and publish them in Arabic and English on its website. Until then, do not rely on rules from other countries, such as a 250 g exemption, or on older blog posts. Nothing in Qatar's announcements exempts small drones, and the March 2026 ban covered drones of any type and size.
Check the permitted zones in Metrash
The MOI says the designated flying zones are shown in the Metrash app, and no list of zone names has been published in the news. Open Metrash, look for the drone service or zone map, and check where the allowed areas are before you leave home. Check again before each flight, as zones can change. Stay well inside the zone boundary, because GPS drift or wind can push a small drone over the line. If you cannot find the zones in Metrash, do not fly; ask the MOI through Metrash or the government contact channels first.
Read guide: Metrash: registering and using Qatar's Ministry of Interior app →
Fly only in the permitted hours
The MOI allows flights in two windows each day: from sunrise until 9 am, and from 2 pm until sunset. Flying between 9 am and 2 pm, or at night, is not allowed even inside a designated zone. Sunrise and sunset change through the year, so check the times on the day. Plan short flights and land with time to spare, rather than finishing a shot as the window closes.
Get ready to register your drone
The law says a drone must not be operated, or even test-flown, before it is registered with the authority, and it must carry its registration number or marking where it can be seen. The QCAA has not yet announced how individuals register under the new law. Keep your receipt and the drone's serial number together, and watch the QCAA website and its official social media accounts and the national news for the announcement. When registration opens, do it before your next flight.
Stay away from airports, people and sensitive sites
Under the law, the QCAA sets where drones may fly, how high and on which routes, to protect manned aircraft, people, property and sensitive sites. In practice, anywhere outside a designated zone is off-limits for now, including near Hamad International Airport, Doha International Airport, military and government buildings, and crowds or events. Museums and heritage sites also ban drones without written approval. Keep the drone in sight and away from roads and people, even inside a zone.
Read guide: Museums in Qatar: free entry for residents, the Culture Pass, booking and visitor rules →
Respect privacy when filming
A drone camera can easily capture people in gardens, on balconies or at the beach. Qatar's privacy and cybercrime laws make it an offence to film people in private places without consent, or to post photos or videos of people without their consent. Point the camera at landscapes and skylines, not at homes or people, and blur faces before you share anything. The full photo and privacy rules are in our laws and etiquette guide.
Read guide: Laws and etiquette every Qatar resident should know →
Know what to do if something goes wrong
The law requires you to tell the authority immediately if you lose control of the drone or it leaves the approved area. If it falls where it could hurt someone, on a road, or on private property, call the police on 999 and explain what happened rather than trying to recover it yourself. Keep a simple flight log (date, place, time) and your photos, as the law also expects operators to keep records. Honest, quick reporting is far better than being found later.
Read guide: Emergencies in Qatar: who to call and where to go →
Get licensed before doing paid work
Filming weddings, property, events or adverts for money is professional use. The law requires companies to get licences and approvals from the QCAA and from the government body for that sector, and to hold third-party liability insurance. Business licences are only for registered companies, sole proprietorships or licensed aviation clubs, run for three years and are renewable. Individuals who pilot or assist need their own operator licence. Do not accept paid drone jobs as a private person until these licences are available to you.
Read guide: Starting a business in Qatar as an expat: commercial registration step by step →
Think before buying or bringing in a drone
The law lists importing, selling and renting drones among the activities that need a licence, and the QCAA has said import and export rules will be set in its regulations. How this applies to one personal drone in your luggage or from an online order has not been spelled out yet. Before you buy abroad or order online, check with the QCAA and the General Authority of Customs, and keep the receipt. Our customs and online shopping guides explain the general rules on what you can bring in.
Read guide: Qatar customs allowances: what you can bring in duty-free →

What it costs

Registration or licence fee for individuals	Not yet announced (check the QCAA website)
Maximum penalty for the most serious offences under Law No. 10 of 2026	Up to QAR 300,000 fine and/or up to 7 years in prison
Maximum fine for certain other offences under the law	Up to QAR 200,000

Official fees at the time of review. Fees change, so confirm before paying.

Common mistakes

Assuming a small or 'toy' drone is exempt because it is under 250 g in other countries; Qatar has announced no such exemption
Flying from your villa, compound or the Corniche because it looks quiet, when it is not a designated zone
Flying between 9 am and 2 pm, or after sunset, even inside a permitted zone
Reading old blog posts or foreign websites instead of checking Metrash and the QCAA
Filming neighbours, people on the beach or private homes, then posting the video
Taking paid drone jobs without a company licence, sector approval and insurance
Not reporting a lost or crashed drone, hoping nobody will notice

Questions people ask

Can I fly my drone in Qatar right now?

Yes, but only in the designated zones shown in the Metrash app and only from sunrise to 9 am or from 2 pm to sunset. This has applied since the MOI announcement of 29 September 2026, which replaced the nationwide ban that started in March 2026. Flying anywhere else or at other times can lead to legal action.

Do I need a licence or registration for a hobby drone?

The law says every drone must be registered and that operators need licences or permits, and it covers recreational use. However, the regulations that explain how hobby flyers register, which licence they need and whether any drones are exempt had not been published as of mid-October 2026. Watch the QCAA website and register as soon as the process opens.

Is a drone under 250 g, like a DJI Mini, exempt?

No exemption for small drones has been announced in Qatar. The March 2026 ban covered drones of any type, size or technology, and the new law leaves exemptions to regulations that are not yet out. Treat a small drone the same as any other until the QCAA says otherwise.

Where are the drone zones?

The MOI has said the zones are shown in the Metrash app, and no list of named areas has been published in the news. Check Metrash before every flight and stay inside the boundary. If you cannot see the zones, do not fly.

What are the penalties?

Law No. 10 of 2026 allows up to 7 years in prison and/or a fine of up to QAR 300,000 for the most serious offences, and fines of up to QAR 200,000 for certain others. Courts can also confiscate the drone and equipment. During the March 2026 ban, the MOI arrested five people for flying drones.

Can I bring my drone into Qatar or order one online?

The law treats importing drones as an activity needing a licence, and the QCAA says import rules will be in its regulations, which were not yet published. It is not yet clear how this applies to a single personal drone. Check with the QCAA and the General Authority of Customs before you buy or travel with one.

Can I film a wedding or property with a drone for money?

Only with the right licences. The law requires businesses to be licensed by the QCAA, approved by the government body for their sector, and insured against damage to others, and pilots need their own operator licence. A private person taking paid drone jobs risks the penalties above.

I am visiting Qatar. Can I fly my drone?

The rules apply to citizens, residents and visitors alike. If you do bring a drone, you can only fly in the Metrash zones during the permitted hours, and you need to be able to use Metrash and meet any registration rules in force. For most short visits, it is simpler to leave the drone at home.

Official sources

Always check the official source before acting. QatarSteps is independent and not a government website.

Flying a drone in Qatar: zones, hours and the 2026 drone law

Before you start

Step by step

Understand the two sets of rules

Know what is and is not confirmed

Check the permitted zones in Metrash

Fly only in the permitted hours

Get ready to register your drone

Stay away from airports, people and sensitive sites

Respect privacy when filming

Know what to do if something goes wrong

Get licensed before doing paid work

Think before buying or bringing in a drone

What it costs

Common mistakes

Questions people ask

Official sources

Further reading

Related guides