British Tourist Faces a €200,000 Fine – How Proper Drone Insurance Could Have Helped

In July 2025, a British holidaymaker flying a drone during Tenerife’s Virgen del Carmen festival made international headlines for all the wrong reasons. Caught operating a drone without a licence, without insurance, and without permission, the individual now faces a staggering €200,000 fine from Spanish aviation authorities. This incident serves as a cautionary tale for all drone operators (recreational or commercial) on the importance of following local regulations and securing appropriate insurance before taking to the skies.

The Incident: Flying Without Permission

The drone was spotted flying over crowds during the busy maritime procession in Puerto de la Cruz on 15 July 2025. Authorities confirmed that only three drones had been authorised for the event: two belonging to the National Police and one used for official festival coverage. After tracing the unauthorised drone to a local hotel, the pilot admitted to flying without any registration, training, or insurance. The drone was confiscated on the spot, and the tourist now awaits sanction from AESA, Spain’s State Aviation Safety Agency.

Understanding the Legal Framework

Spain, like all EU countries, adheres to Regulation (EU) 2019/947, which sets out the rules for drone operations. Under these rules:

• Drone operators must register with the national aviation authority if their drone weighs over 250g or carries a camera.
• Pilots must complete basic online training and label their drone with an operator ID.
• Civil liability insurance is required.
• Flights in controlled, urban or crowded areas are prohibited without prior authorisation.

Fines range from minor (€60) to very serious (€225,000), depending on the level of risk posed. Flying over crowds during a large public event without any of the necessary legal safeguards (like this tourist did), falls firmly into the “very serious” category.

The Insurance Factor: What Could Have Changed?

One of the most avoidable aspects of this case was the lack of drone insurance.

Many drone users are unaware that civil liability insurance is a legal requirement in much of Europe, not just a best practice. Coverdrone’s international recreational drone policies are specifically designed to meet these legal requirements, even when flying abroad.

Pre-Flight Checklist for International Drone Use

Whether you’re flying for fun or work, always follow this checklist when operating drones abroad:

1. Register as a drone operator with the local aviation authority (e.g. AESA in Spain).
2. Complete required training for your category.
3. Label your drone with your operator ID.
4. Check local no-fly zones using official apps or maps such as the Flysafe App.
5. Apply for additional permissions if flying in restricted or urban areas.
6. Secure valid drone insurance that covers you in the country you’re visiting.

These are simple processes that only take a few minutes complete, and could save you a significant amount of money if something were to happen.

How Coverdrone Supports Safe, Legal Drone Use Abroad

At Coverdrone, we provide insurance that’s designed to help operators fly with confidence, even outside their home country. Our international policies include:

• Cover across multiple countries with a single policy.
• Instant documentation to prove compliance.
• Expert claims support.
• And more…

Whether you’re heading to Tenerife, Tuscany, Toulouse or even Timbuktu, our policies are designed to help you stay compliant and protected.

Lessons Learned: Avoiding a €200,000 Fine

Fly Smart, and Fly Safe

Drone technology is becoming more accessible and more powerful every single year. But with that power comes responsibility. This incident is a dramatic reminder of what can go wrong when operators ignore regulations. Whether you’re flying for fun or work, don’t leave it to chance. Protect yourself, your drone, and the public by flying legally and staying insured with Coverdrone.