Drone Laws Europe 2026: EU Rules, A1/A3 and Registration

You register as a drone operator, not each drone. You must register if your drone:

• weighs 250 g or more, or
• has a camera or other sensor that can capture personal data, unless it is a toy.

A drone under 250 g without a camera, or a toy drone, does not need to be registered.

Where to register

Register once with the national aviation authority in your country of residence. If you live outside the EU, register in the first EASA country where you plan to fly. You cannot register twice.

The registration is valid in all EASA countries for a period set by the country where you registered, after which you renew it. Fees are also set nationally.

Your registration number

You get a drone operator registration number. Put it on all your drones with a sticker, including privately built ones, and upload it into the drone's remote identification system if it has one.

Register with the authority

A1/A3: the online certificate

For drones with a C1, C3 or C4 class mark, and for drones without a class mark weighing 250 g or more, you need a "proof of completion for online training" for subcategories A1/A3. You get it by completing the online training and passing an online theory exam with the national aviation authority, or an organisation it has appointed.

A2: the certificate of competency

To fly a C2 drone close to people in subcategory A2, you need the A2 certificate of competency. You must already hold the A1/A3 certificate, carry out and declare practical self-training, and pass an additional theory exam at the aviation authority or online under supervision.

Validity

The certificates are valid for 5 years and are recognised in all EASA countries. Training from countries outside the EU is not accepted.

Minimum age

The minimum age for the remote pilot is 16. A country may lower it to 12, but then only within that country. There is no minimum age for toy drones, or for drones under 250 g without a class mark.

The open category is split into three subcategories, depending on how close you fly to people. Which one you may use depends on your drone's class mark or weight.

Subcategory A1: over people

For C0 drones (under 250 g), C1 drones (under 900 g) and drones under 250 g without a class mark. Avoid flying over uninvolved people where you can (with C1 drones it is not expected at all), and never fly over assemblies of people.

Subcategory A2: close to people

For C2 drones (under 4 kg) with the A2 certificate. Do not fly over uninvolved people, and keep 30 m horizontally from them, or 5 m with the low-speed function switched on.

Subcategory A3: far from people

For C3 and C4 drones (under 25 kg), and drones without a class mark up to 25 kg. Do not fly over uninvolved people, and keep 150 m from uninvolved people and from residential, commercial and industrial areas.

Height limit: 120 m

Fly below 120 m above the ground. If you need to fly over an obstacle taller than 120 m, you may fly up to 15 m above it, but only when the owner of the obstacle asks you to. Always keep the drone within visual line of sight, or use an observer standing next to you.

Geographical zones

Each country decides its own drone geographical zones, where you may not fly or may fly only under conditions or with an authorisation, for example near airports, in city centres or in national parks. Check the zones with the aviation authority of the country you fly in.

Read the official rules

Travelling between EASA countries

Your operator registration and pilot certificate from one EASA country are valid in all the others. You do not need to register again: just make sure your registration number is visible on the drone, and check the geographical zones in the country you visit.

Visiting from outside Europe

• Register as a drone operator with the aviation authority of the first EASA country where you will fly. The registration is then valid in all EASA countries.
• Complete the online training and pass the exam for the European certificate in any EASA country. Some authorities offer it in English.
• Training and qualifications from your home country are not accepted.

Taking your EU drone abroad

EU registrations and certificates are not automatically recognised outside the EASA countries. Check the rules of the country you visit.

Drones under 250 g with a C0 class mark, or without a class mark, fly in subcategory A1. They may fly over uninvolved people, but never over assemblies of people.

• Registration: only if the drone has a camera or other sensor and is not a toy. Most mini drones have a camera, so most need it.
• Training: none required, but read the user manual. EASA recommends the A1/A3 online training anyway.
• Minimum age: 16 for C0 drones unless the drone is a toy. No minimum age for drones under 250 g without a class mark.

The open category covers most leisure flying and low-risk commercial flying. If your work stays within its limits, the same rules apply as for hobby flying: registration, the right certificate and the subcategory rules.

Operations outside those limits, such as flying beyond visual line of sight or heavier drones close to people, fall in the specific category. They need an operational authorisation from the national aviation authority, or a declaration under a standard scenario.

EU rules require third-party insurance for drones weighing more than 20 kg. Most EASA countries also require third-party insurance for lighter drones, so check the national rules of the country where you fly. The country pages list what applies there.

Since 1 January 2024, new drones sold in the EU must carry a class mark from C0 to C4 to be flown in the open category. Drones without a class mark that were placed on the market before 31 December 2023, and privately built drones, can still be flown: under 250 g in subcategory A1, and up to 25 kg in subcategory A3.

• 1 January 2024: New drones must carry a C0–C4 class mark to fly in the open category. Older drones without a class mark follow weight-based rules. Source

• Open Category — Low Risk — Civil Drones (checked 30 October 2026)
• Drones (UAS) — Frequently Asked Questions (checked 30 October 2026)
• Travelling with drones (checked 30 October 2026)
• Flying in your country — National Aviation Authorities (checked 30 October 2026)