Permits and regulatory requirements for outdoor drone shows in Turkey
Continuation of the international approvals series
In previous materials, we covered the permit process for outdoor drone shows in the UAE and outlined the regulatory model across GCC countries. These markets share a similar logic: a local applicant, a mandatory legal presence within the country, and multi-layer coordination with aviation and security authorities.
Turkey does not formally belong to the GCC, and its regulatory model is structured differently. It is a centralized system managed by the Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü (SHGM) — the Directorate General of Civil Aviation — with mandatory registration of both the operator and pilots in the national İHA system.
While in GCC countries the key question is typically who the local applicant is, in Turkey the primary question is whether the operator and pilots are registered within the SHGM system.
This is why Turkey requires a separate breakdown. Below is a practical overview:
- who is allowed to perform a commercial operation
- pilot requirements
- whether a foreign operator can be brought in
- what additional approvals may be required
Regulator and legal framework
Regulator:
Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü (SHGM) — Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Turkey
Regulatory framework:
SHT-İHA — Regulation on Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Key principle
In Turkey, a commercial UAV operation can only be carried out by an operator registered in the SHGM system.
All pilots involved in the operation must be registered in the İHA Registration System (İHA Kayıt Sistemi) and must hold an active status. This is not a formality, it is a mandatory regulatory requirement.
Pilot requirements
To register a pilot in the SHGM system, one of the following is required:
- a Turkish identification number (T.C. Kimlik No)
- a foreign identification number (Yabancı Kimlik No), issued upon obtaining legal status in Turkey
Without one of these identifiers, a pilot cannot be registered in the SHGM system.
Practical implication
A foreign team cannot simply arrive and operate a drone show without proper legal and registration status in Turkey. If pilots are not registered in the SHGM system and do not have a valid identification number, the operation will be considered illegal.
Who can submit an application
A commercial operation must be submitted through a registered operator in Turkey.
Typical working models include:
- a Turkish legal entity acts as the operator
- a foreign company works through a licensed Turkish partner
Direct submission by a foreign company without a Turkish legal structure is not possible.
SHGM requirements
- operator registration in the İHA system
- registration of each drone
- registration of all pilots in the SHGM system
- submission of an application for the specific operation (coordinates, altitude, time window)
- valid liability insurance covering operations in Turkey
Additional approvals
Depending on the location, additional approvals may be required from:
- provincial governor’s office (Valilik)
- local security authorities
- municipality
This is particularly relevant for:
- historical city centers
- tourist zones
- areas near airports
- locations close to government facilities
Timelines
For event-based operations, a realistic planning timeline is:
- standard locations: at least 3–4 weeks
- with governor and security involvement: 4–6 weeks or more
Any changes to coordinates or altitude after submission may require re-approval.
Can a foreign drone show operator be brought in
Yes, but only under the following conditions:
- operation is conducted through a Turkish legal entity or licensed operator
- pilots are registered in the SHGM system with valid identification numbers
- liability insurance is in place
- work visas and legal status are arranged for the foreign team
- equipment is temporarily imported in compliance with Turkish customs regulations
What event managers need to understand
A common mistake is assuming that a drone show company can be brought into Turkey and perform a commercial operation without local registration.
This does not work in Turkey.
If pilots are not registered in the SHGM system and do not have an official identification number, the project will be stopped either during the approval stage or on the day of the event.
Practical takeaway
In Turkey, the key question is not the creative concept or the number of drones.
The key question is who is the registered operator and whether the pilots are registered in the SHGM system.
Until this is formally confirmed, the project cannot be considered legally ready for execution.
Conclusion
Unlike GCC countries, where the primary challenge is building a local legal structure and coordinating across multiple authorities, Turkey places its main focus on operator and pilot registration within the SHGM system.
For this reason, when planning a project in Turkey, the process should start with confirming the legal and registration model under which the operation will be carried out.
