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Drone rules in Indonesia — registration, restricted zones and enforcement

What you can and can't fly, registration requirements, restricted areas around airports and temples, and the practical drone experience in 2026.

4 min read

Indonesia generally allows recreational and small commercial drones, but the rules around registration, restricted zones (airports, military, ceremonies, some temples) and commercial use have become stricter. Bali in particular has tightened drone enforcement near temples and ceremonies after several tourist incidents. This guide covers the practical reality in 2026.

Quick rules

| Drone class | Rules | |---|---| | Under 250g (DJI Mini, Mavic Mini) | Permitted recreational use; commercial requires permit; restricted zones still apply | | 250g – 2kg (DJI Mavic, Air, Phantom) | Registration recommended; restricted zones strictly enforced | | 2kg+ commercial | Requires permit from Ministry of Transport (Kementerian Perhubungan) |

Registration

Recreational drones are generally not registration-required as of 2026, but commercial use (paid filming, journalism, real-estate photography) requires:

  1. Operator licence from Direktorat Jenderal Perhubungan Udara
  2. Drone serial number registered
  3. Permits per location for sensitive zones

For tourists flying a DJI Mini 4 Pro or similar small recreational drone, no formal registration is normally required.

Restricted zones — never fly here

Airports

  • 9 km radius around any airport
  • DPS (Bali), CGK (Jakarta), YIA (Yogyakarta), SUB (Surabaya), KNO (Medan), LOP (Lombok)
  • Real risk: dragged into commercial airline path

Military bases and installations

  • Any base, naval area, military airport
  • Random — ask locals if uncertain

Religious ceremonies and active temples

  • Major Bali temples during ceremonies (Pura Besakih, Uluwatu, Tanah Lot)
  • Pecalang (village guards) enforce locally
  • Mosques during prayer times

Government buildings

  • Presidential palace, ministries (Jakarta)
  • Royal courts (Yogyakarta Kraton)

Private property

  • Get permission from the property owner
  • Beach club areas often prohibit drone overflight

People without consent

  • Crowded public spaces — don't film identifiable individuals without consent
  • Beach areas in Kuta/Canggu — increasing local objection

Where you can generally fly (with sense)

  • Empty beaches and waterfalls (outside ceremony times)
  • Rice paddies and rural landscape
  • Open volcanic landscapes (Bromo crater rim from a distance — but check current PVMBG status)
  • Coastline away from settlements
  • With permission, the rooftop of your villa

Practical fly rules

  • Daylight only — sunrise to sunset
  • Visual line of sight — keep drone in sight at all times
  • Max altitude — 150m AGL (above ground level)
  • Wind — Bali wet-season afternoons + south-coast Bali have heavy winds; lose drone risk
  • Battery range — bring spare batteries; salt air corrodes connectors

Bringing drone into Indonesia

  • DJI Mini 4 Pro / Mavic Air in carry-on: generally fine through customs
  • Larger drones may attract attention; declare on e-CD if asked
  • No commercial-quantity drones (multiple sealed boxes) without import permits
  • Spare batteries: airline carriage rules apply (LiPo batteries in carry-on, watt-hour limits)

Bali-specific considerations

  • Bali drone permit: not formally required for recreational, but ceremony zones strictly enforced
  • Major temples: Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, Besakih, Tirta Empul — assume drone use is restricted near ceremonies
  • Beaches: Padang Padang, Bingin OK at sunrise; Echo Beach increasingly restricted
  • Rice paddies (Tegalalang): photographer-friendly but check current rules
  • GWK statue: large public area; drone use OK but get position

What happens if you violate

  • Drone confiscated on the spot (locals will report; police often respond)
  • Fine: small to substantial depending on zone
  • Major incidents (airport zone, presidential property): criminal charges possible

Apps that help

  • B4UFLY by FAA (not Indonesian but flags airport zones globally)
  • Drone Helper Indonesia for local restricted zones
  • Sentry-style apps: confirm wind and weather before flying

Insurance considerations

  • Drone insurance: not generally required for recreational, but advisable for expensive equipment
  • Loss of drone: standard travel insurance usually has an electronics cap (typically USD 500-1,000)
  • Liability: if your drone hits someone, you're liable; check insurance

Commercial filming (Indonesia)

If you're shooting paid content (real estate, wedding, journalism, content creator income):

  • Requires permit from Direktorat Jenderal Perhubungan Udara
  • Working through a local production company simplifies the permit
  • Cost: USD 200-800 for a typical Bali shoot permit
  • Lead time: 2-6 weeks

Common mistakes

  • Flying over Tanah Lot at sunset (crowded + ceremonies)
  • Flying near DPS airport "just for the coastline shot"
  • Bringing a 3kg commercial drone for recreational use without paperwork
  • Filming local people in crowded markets without consent
  • Forgetting wind conditions and losing the drone

Verify before acting

Drone regulations evolve. For commercial use, consult hubud.dephub.go.id or an Indonesian aviation lawyer. For Bali-specific ceremony schedules and restrictions, ask your hotel concierge. See disclaimer.

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