Guide

Flying a drone in Europe: one rulebook, three distances

By Covered Abroad Research Desk · Last verified July 2026

The EU runs a single drone framework under EASA. Most hobby and light-commercial flying sits in the open category, subdivided by proximity to people — in EASA's own summary: A1 flies over people but not over assemblies of people, A2 flies close to people, A3 flies far from people — each with its own requirements, tied to the C0-C6 class labels on the drone itself. Operator registration and online training run nationally; the rules travel EU-wide.

The open category, as EASA draws it

EASA's framework splits civil drones into open, specific and certified categories, with the open category carrying almost all consumer flying. Its three subcategories are proximity rules, in the agency's own words: "A1: fly over people but not over assemblies of people · A2: fly close to people · A3: fly far from people" — "each subcategory comes with its own set of requirements", so identifying yours is the first task. The drone's own class identification label (C0 through C6) determines which subcategories it can serve — the sub-250-gram C0 machines enjoying the gentlest regime.

Registration attaches to the operator (you), done once in your EU country of residence and valid across the Union, with the online training and tests run through national aviation authorities.

Source: EASA, civil drones — open category, read 6 September 2026.

What travels and what stays national

The framework is genuinely European: registration in one member state, recognition everywhere, same subcategory logic from Lisbon to Helsinki. What stays national: where you may actually fly — no-fly zones, urban restrictions, park rules — published per country in geo-zone maps, plus insurance requirements that several states attach to drone operation. A mover's sequence: re-register as operator in the new country of residence, learn its geo-zones, check its insurance stance.

For US arrivals: FAA credentials don't transfer — the EU registration and tests are a fresh, cheap, online afternoon.

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The drone in the container

The machine itself ships like any household good under the transfer-of-residence relief; the flying privileges re-attach to your new residence. One afternoon of paperwork against the move's bigger files:

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Common questions

What are the drone rules in Europe?

One EASA framework: most flying sits in the open category, split by proximity — A1 over people (never assemblies), A2 close to people, A3 far from people — with requirements per subcategory and the drone's C0-C6 class label deciding what it may do. Operator registration in your EU residence country is valid Union-wide.

Do I need to register my drone in Europe?

You register as operator — once, in your EU country of residence, valid across the EU — with online training and tests run by the national aviation authority. Where you may fly stays national via geo-zone maps.

Does my FAA registration work in Europe?

No — EU operator registration and its tests are separate. They're online and inexpensive; budget an afternoon.