According to the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), the number of drone incidents have increased year on year since records first began in 2013.

The percentage increase in drone incidents in Portugal has been dramatic, with a 211.76% increase in just two years between 2016 and 2018, while the number of recorded incidents during 2018 was almost the same amount as the total recorded between 2015 and 2017.

The figures from ANAC show that there were zero incidents recorded during 2013 and 2014 and only five logged in 2015. These numbers then begin to jump with 17 incidents in 2016, followed by 37 in 2017 and resulting in 53 during 2018.

Drones are prohibited from flying more than 120 metres in height in areas surrounding airports, including takeoff and landing areas.