Filming with drones in Brazil: what you need to know

Story Productions • Sep 25, 2023

Due to government legislation, you can’t bring a drone into Brazil for filming, but thankfully Story Productions have got you covered. After all, when it comes to visual storytelling, drones are now an essential tool.

Drones are popular not only for filming in Brazil, offering unique perspectives for different industries and creative projects. In 2022, the Brazilian air traffic control department recorded more than 300,000 drone flight requests.


In a country of continental proportions, with stunning natural beauty and world-famous locations easily available, drones can capture incredible aerial views that once were only accessible to high-budget productions.


And they’re not just used for spectacular filming projects. Drones are also now widely used in agribusiness, engineering, surveillance and a whole host of other industries. It’s fair to say drones are taking over Brazil.

Three men looking up to a drone shooting

Filming with drones with Story Productions


Drones are a practical, lightweight and cost-effective production tool. From sweeping landscapes to dynamic shots, they add cinematic flair to any project, without a crane or helicopter in sight.


Story has been working with drone shoots for a decade. In the past few years, demand has massivley increased, with drones becoming  a mandatory item in almost every single project we do. The increase in the quality of the footage is so great that even in low budget projects, drones are requested.


Some of our work with drones includes Bollywood music videos (as an alternative to steadicam), motorsports, filming an oil rig, coffee and orange harvesting, and filming an electric car driving through  the streets of Salvador, Bahia. 


Over the Amazon and favelas, over ports and plantations of ripening coffee, as we say in Brazil, “from the Oiapoque to Chuí” — Story Productions can provide drone services across Brazil.

Legislation on drone use in Brazil

The Brazilian Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) has established specific regulations for the operation of drones in the country. These regulations cover areas such as registration, certification, and flight restrictions.


Before operating a drone in Brazil, it is mandatory for drone pilots to complete the registration process with DECEA (Brazilian air traffic control department). The department is responsible for approving drone flights and creating rules for safety.


The pilot can be a foreign national — as long as they have all drone operations in Brazil are under the accountability of any person with a Brazilian social registration number (CPF). The same person must register the drone. To fully comply with regulations, insurance coverage for the drone is mandatory.


This means that drone operators from overseas are not allowed to bring a drone into Brazil and operate it locally without obtaining an ANAC licence.


Getting the permits and approvals for drone filming can be a complex process, since it includes requesting the use of airspace. It can take anywhere from 45 minutes up to 18 days for the authorisation to be issued, depending on the details of the drone operation.

Prohibited operations

Authorities strictly prohibit flying drones near airports and routes used by other aircraft, military installations, safety or other government restricted areas and over crowds of people. It is important to check before shoot day if the area you want to fly is open for drones.

Man holding a drone above his head, getting ready to fly it

Filming with drones offers filmmakers unparalleled opportunities to capture stunning visuals and create interesting narratives. Despite the challenges of navigating regulations and bureaucracy, the rewards are worthwhile.


If you wish to film in Brazil with a drone, Story Productions is able to source the best professionals and equipment from you.


We are here to assist you every step of the way, whether you need to rent high-quality equipment or hire the best operators in the whole country, including Recife, Manaus and Salvador. Contact us to bring your creative vision to life!

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