Drone Law in Qatar: Licence, Registration and Penalties

If you have a drone, or you want to buy one in Qatar, the rules changed in 2026. Older blog posts say only Qatari citizens may fly and that foreign drones are confiscated at the airport. Those pages were written before the new law, so treat them as out of date until you have checked with QCAA.

This guide is built on a Peninsula report of QCAA's explanation of the law, a Marhaba summary of the decree law, and a Qatar Tribune report on flying areas, all found through web search. We could not read the law text itself, and one of the news pages did not load. It is general information, not legal advice.

What the new drone law requires

The Peninsula report quotes QCAA as saying the law requires registration of all drones it covers. Users fall into three categories, each with its own licence and permit requirements. Individuals must get a licence and an operational permit before flying. Companies that use drones commercially need licences and approvals from QCAA and from the government body that oversees their sector, and must carry insurance for damage caused by drone operations. Government bodies must coordinate with QCAA to get approval for their drone activity.

According to Marhaba, the law forbids operating or even test-running a drone that has not been registered with the authority, or one that does not clearly show its registration numbers or other required identification.

Who needs a licence

Marhaba reports that a licence is needed by anyone who operates or pilots a drone, assists with its operation, carries out surveillance with one, or does work on drone operating systems. Businesses need a licence to design, make, assemble, modify, maintain, import, export, trade in, rent out or train people on drones.

For businesses, the reported conditions include being a registered company, a sole proprietorship or a licensed aviation training club, having no final bankruptcy ruling, having managers with no final conviction for a felony or a crime of dishonesty (unless rehabilitated), and holding third-party civil liability insurance. The authority is reported to have 30 days to decide an application, and silence counts as a rejection. A licence lasts three calendar years and renewal should be requested at least three months before it ends.

Where and when can you fly a drone in Qatar?

A Ministry of Interior announcement reported by Qatar Tribune says drone operations are allowed in designated areas, which can be checked in the Metrash app. The reported flying windows are from sunrise until 9 am and from 2 pm until sunset. We could not open that report ourselves, so confirm the areas and hours in the app before you fly.

Marhaba also lists operator duties: fly only in approved areas and on designated air routes, follow air traffic and weather instructions, respect altitude and distance limits, and report immediately if you lose control or the drone strays outside its approved area.

What are the penalties?

Marhaba reports two criminal tiers. The most serious offences carry up to seven years in prison, a fine of up to QAR 300,000, or both. A second group of offences carries a fine of up to QAR 200,000 with no prison term listed. The court may confiscate the drone and the tools used. Holders of a licence or permit can also face a warning, suspension for up to three months (doubled for repeat violations), and for businesses a closure of up to 15 days. Stricter penalties under other laws still apply.

We could not match each penalty to the specific act that triggers it, because the article numbers were listed without their content. Do not assume that a first minor mistake leads to prison. Do not assume it is safe either.

Photographing people with a drone

A drone camera does not change the rules on privacy. Our guide to photographing people in Qatar explains why filming or posting images of others can be a separate offence, whatever the law on the drone itself says.

What we could not verify

• The text of Law No. 10 of 2026 and the penalty article for each act.
• How an individual hobby pilot actually applies for a licence, the fee, or the validity period. Reports say the implementing regulations will set the procedure, eligibility and exemptions.
• Whether there is a grace period for drones people already own.
• The official list of designated flying areas.

Check QCAA's official channels for the executive regulations, which are expected to be announced there.