In Europe, there are limitless locations to movie or {photograph} with a drone, whether or not the Alps, the Carpathian Mountains, Transfagarasan, or the Côte d’Azur.

How do you register a drone in Europe?
Registering a particular drone in Europe is pointless except the drone has a restricted airworthiness certificates issued by the NAA. In alternate, you must receive a compulsory Operator Registration ID and, if the drone is past 250 grams, a Certificates of Competency, at the very least A1/A3, acknowledged by EASA from inside a acknowledged state.
We’ll share every little thing it’s essential to know to acquire IDs and certificates to fly a drone in Europe.
What’s EASA?
EASA, or the European Union Aviation Security Company, is the primary social gathering that creates, regulates, and oversees drone legal guidelines throughout all of the European Union state members, plus 4 extra.
Every EU state member, or NAA or Nationwide Aviation Authority, oversees the drone operator registration course of for Operator IDs and the exams required to acquire a Certificates of Competency.
» MORE: Can You Deliver a Drone to Greece? (Learn This First)
Registering as a drone operator in Europe
You’re going to get an identification quantity if you register as an operator in any of the state members below EASA jurisdiction. We name it an operator ID.
As an operator, you might be answerable for any drone in your fleet.
It’s essential to additionally label your drones and show your operator ID accordingly.
Register your self as a drone operator to legally fly a drone in any EASA nation.
When you do, you must get a singular identification quantity recognizing you as a drone operator throughout EASA states.
You are able to do it in any of the state members managed by EASA.
Simply bear in mind that some states won’t have a registration course of in English. They could require a nationwide tackle and don’t assist worldwide registration addresses.
» MORE: Methods to Register a Drone in Italy (Learn This First)
The place to register as a European UAV (Drone) Operator for non-EU members
The best option to register as a drone operator in an English-speaking nation below the EASA umbrella, equivalent to Eire, is to observe these steps:
- Entry this hyperlink and click on the Signal Up Now possibility. The identical hyperlink can be utilized to log into the portal.
- After getting registered and confirmed your electronic mail tackle, log in.
- After getting logged in, affirm the advertising and marketing choice which popped up. Now, the primary web page seems.
- Inside the primary/dwelling web page of your account, you’ll be able to see grayed-out choices equivalent to Unmanned Plane System – Operator Registration, which is what it’s essential to register as a UAS operator, and some different choices equivalent to A1/A3, and A2 exams.
- You’ll have to confirm your identification, which can take three to 10 days, and you will need to fill out the shape with all of your particulars.

Observe: This course of is in English; you’ll be able to register even with a global tackle. It’s one of many best methods to get an Operator identification code inside EASA/EU.
» MORE: Can You Deliver a Drone to Eire?
Certificates of Competency A1/A3

The second a part of the method applies to drones above 250 grams or these used commercially.
Acquiring a certificates of competency is a bit more durable than registering as an operator.
It’s essential to take a 40-question written examination with a passing rating of 75 % inside the NAA nation you need to register as a drone operator.
In most international locations, the CoC will price $10 to fifteen, relying on the place you need to take it. Most CoC exams are within the nation’s native language, not English.
» MORE: Can You Fly a Drone in Spain?
The place to register as an operator or take the Certificates of Competency as a non-EU member
Vital Observe: EASA does NOT immediately subject Certificates of Competency or permits direct drone operator registration. This all the time must be performed with one of many state members.
One other method to what we mentioned above can be enterprise these certificates (A1/A3 + A2 if required) and registering as a drone operator by way of accredited firms providing these providers in some particular international locations, with materials to be taught for the examination and a complete information in English.
This may price you, nevertheless it could possibly be a extra accessible method for vacationers past EU borders.
We suggest the next method for a non-EU resident touring to Europe.
» MORE: Can You Fly a Drone in Switzerland?
Take the Certificates of Competency

The primary method is registering for an A1/A3 examination in Eire utilizing the identical portal as for the Operator ID. This may price you round 30 euros.
Watch for the ID affirmation to activate your account to entry their providers.
One other method, and one of many least expensive, is to make use of the Learningzone Eurocontrol.
The EUROCONTROL is an Aviation Studying Middle that helps European aviation with high-quality programs, instruments, and providers.
The A1/A3 course and examination is freed from cost and can be accredited by EASA. The establishment is predicated in Luxembourg and is really helpful by the federal government as a option to receive the drone certificates.
It’s essential to take the A2 examination in individual.
As a traveler, you solely want an A1/A3 for drones above 250 grams.
- To get began, register on the portal along with your private info and ensure your account out of your electronic mail.
- The following step can be to log in along with your username and password.
- After you log in, press the House button, scroll all the way down to programs, and click on.
- Search by key phrase A1/A3 and select the primary course. It’s also possible to go to this hyperlink.
- On the suitable aspect, go to Course Registration Request and observe the steps to enroll. When you full the two-hour free A1/A3 course, you’ll be able to take the examination for the Certificates of Competency, which can be registered in Luxembourg however legitimate throughout all EASA state members.
Observe: You’ll be able to take the course as many occasions as you want over a three-month interval.
Whereas you’ll obtain your Certificates of Competency, you can’t fly your drone with out registering as a drone Operator, so observe the above steps.
We don’t suggest Luxembourg for that; you’ll be able to solely register if you happen to’re a nationwide or have a enterprise there.
Is my NAA drone registration legitimate throughout Europe?
Sure, certainly.
To cowl this intimately, your Operator Registration ID and Certificates of Competency can be found throughout all EASA state members, irrespective of during which of these international locations you’ve taken the certificates or registered as an operator.
In some methods, you’ll be able to switch your certificates from one nation to a different, however that could possibly be a prolonged course of, and albeit, it isn’t price it, as you haven’t any advantages.
On the time of writing this text, in direction of the tip of September 2023, the next states are below EASA drone legal guidelines.
Label | Nations & Territories below EASA |
---|---|
European Union member states | Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czechia Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Eire Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Maltha Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden |
Non-EU member states | Iceland Liechtenstein Norway Switzerland |
» MORE: Can You Deliver a Drone to France?
Do I’ve to register my drone in Europe if I solely join flights?
Usually, no.
There are two methods this could possibly be performed when connecting flights by way of a European airport:
- With out getting out of the terminal space
- Going out of the terminal space and getting by the safety check-in once more.
When visiting just a few European international locations, together with the UK, which isn’t on the EASA listing, I had no points bringing a drone on a airplane, so long as I adopted the protocols.
The identical goes for connecting flights, even when it’s important to undergo the safety space once more.
Nonetheless, if requested, you’ll be able to point out you’re connecting flights, and naturally, if you’re uncertain, you must contact the airline or your connecting flight airport for definitive affirmation.
Europe will not be but very strict on touring with drones, particularly if you happen to’re simply connecting.
Can I convey my drone to Europe from the USA?
Usually, you might be allowed to convey a drone to Europe from the USA, however you’ll have to contemplate just a few components.
- The airline you’re flying could have some guidelines relating to touring with a drone. A only a few could even forbid it. It’s higher to examine along with your airline earlier than touring.
- Take away the battery out of your drone and place it in a LiPo bag in your backpack above your seat within the cabin. NEVER place the drone batteries within the baggage space as a consequence of excessive temperature and strain fluctuations.
- There must be a most whole wattage of what number of batteries you’ll be able to carry. All the time examine along with your airline for the LiPo guidelines.
- Be sure that your drone working frequencies are allowed throughout Europe. Within the USA, there’s FCC protocol; in Europe, we’ve got CE. Some FPV drones working within the USA will not be allowed to carry out in Europe, nevertheless it’s unlikely you may be questioned.
- Just a few European international locations could require drone insurance coverage to fly, at the same time as a interest. If you happen to plan to fly in a type of international locations, insure your drone per their regulation earlier than departure.
- Register as an operator and get the certificates of competency earlier than touring to Europe. If you happen to’re questioned about your drone’s intention, you’ll be able to show you’ve the data and required certifications to fly the drone.
- By no means flip in your drone within the airport space, not even the distant controller, as it’s possible you’ll set off the airport safety protocols.
If you happen to’re a non-EU resident visiting Europe and plan to fly your drone within the Open class, you will need to at the very least register as a drone operator.
» MORE: Bringing a Drone on a Airplane – Final Information
Do European international locations have their very own drone legal guidelines?
You’ll be stunned by the next reply: NO.
European international locations below the EASA umbrella can’t create, change, or adapt drone legal guidelines to their situations (supply).
All drone legal guidelines of these 28 European international locations plus 4 extra are managed fully by EASA.
The one factor a nationwide aviation authority below EASA modifications is the tactic of the way you receive the certificates and registration course of, the minimal age requirement if you happen to will need to have insurance coverage, fines, and restricted airspace.
Every part else is managed on the European stage.
Subsequently, the drone legal guidelines are the identical if you happen to fly in Spain, France, Germany, or Greece.
It’s essential to adapt to their insurance coverage necessities and restricted airspace, however apart from that, if you’re registered as an operator and have the Certificates of Competency taken in any European state below EASA, you need to be simply tremendous.
Furthermore, a drone doesn’t must be registered except you fly high-risk, and the drones are thought of to be licensed (it has a certificates or a restricted certificates of airworthiness issued by the NAA), in line with EASA.
Bear in mind that some international locations could use this as a loophole and classify most of their flight as high-risk simply so that you can register your drone.
That’s why it’s finest to examine with the European vacation spot nation the place you need to fly your drone for necessities and laws.
» MORE: Can You Deliver a Drone to Paris?
What are the widespread drone legal guidelines throughout Europe?
- All the time register as a drone operator if you happen to’re not flying a toy drone and purchase a Certificates of Competency if you happen to fly above 250 grams.
- All the time label your drones along with your Operator ID.
- Don’t fly over or near folks. This may differ below what class you fly your drone in Europe (see under).
- By no means fly above an meeting of individuals.
- Preserve a most altitude of 120 meters (400 ft).
- Respect restricted airspace and don’t fly there with out authorization.
- Maintain your drone in your visible line of sight always.
- Test the encircling airspace for any attainable plane.
- Maintain a good distance from airports and navy bases (minimal 5 to eight kilometers or 3 to five miles).
- Don’t fly a drone above personal property except you’ve permission.
- In some European international locations, drones can’t be flown at night time.
- Some international locations could require you to have drone insurance coverage or register your drone. All the time examine the drone legal guidelines.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in america
Is there any nation in Europe the place flying drones is forbidden?
On the time of writing this text, we’re unaware of any international locations throughout Europe the place flying a drone is forbidden.
Nonetheless, there are international locations that EASA doesn’t cowl, and the drone registration course of could also be completely different.
Just a few European international locations not below EASA can be as follows:
- United Kingdom (together with Northern Eire, Isle of Man, England and Scotland)
- Ukraine
- Serbia
- North Macedonia
- Montenegro
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Albania
- Moldova
- Belarus
» MORE: Nations The place Drones Are Prohibited
What are the drone classes in Europe?
If you wish to fly your drone below a class in any European state below EASA, contemplate the next info:
Open Class: Relevant till December thirty first, 2023
Drones below 250 grams
- A1, however the drone can even fly below the A3 subcategory.
- The drone operator registration will not be required if it’s a toy. If the drone has a digital camera or sensor, registration is important.
- No coaching is required (certificates).
- No minimal age if it’s a toy.
- There must be no flights above uninvolved folks or meeting of individuals.
- The flight length must be minimized if flights above uninvolved folks occur with a drone below 250 grams.
Drones below 500 grams
- A1 subcategory, however the drone can fly below the A3 subcategory.
- The drone operator registration is required.
- It’s essential to observe the drone person guide.
- It’s essential to have an A1/A3 certificates of competency.
- The minimal age to fly is 16.
- No flights above uninvolved folks.
- No flying over assemblies of individuals.
Drones below 2 kg
- A2 subcategory, however the drone can fly below the A3 subcategory as properly.
- No flying over uninvolved folks.
- Maintain a minimal distance of fifty meters from uninvolved folks.
- Drone operator registration is necessary.
- If flying below the A2 subcategory, you will need to purchase a Certificates of Competency A2. If flying below A1/A3, you want the A1/A3 Certificates of Competency.
- The distant pilot minimal age is 16.
Drones below 20 kg
- A3 subcategory.
- Don’t fly close to or over folks.
- Maintain a minimal distance of 150 meters from residential, industrial, or industrial areas.
- Distant pilots should be at the very least 16 years outdated.
- Learn the drone person guide fastidiously.
- Full the coaching and move the A1/A3 Certificates of Competency examination.
» MORE: Can You Deliver a Drone to Norway?
UAS current drones with C-Class markings
- C0 – DJI Mini 2 SE, DJI Mini 3, DJI Mini 3 Professional
- C1 – DJI Mavic 3 v2.0, Cine v2.0 and DJI Mavic 3 Basic
- C2 – DJI MAVIC 3E EU, 3T EU, 3M EU, M30 EU, M3OT EU
- C2 – SENSEFLY eBee fixed-wing
- C3 – DJI Matrice 350 RTK and Trinity F90+ fixed-wing
- C6 – Delair UX 11 Digicam AG, IR, RGB; Longue Elongation Digicam AG, IR, RGB – all fastened wings
Based on EASA, in September 2023, solely the above-mentioned drones have a C-Class marking classification that can be acknowledged throughout EASA member states.
You could need to examine this hyperlink from EASA for extra details about Open class restrictions and C-Class markings.
» MORE: Can You Fly a Drone in Iceland?