Regulations

From 31/12/2020 all remotely piloted and autonomous aircraft (drones) from the small consumer devices used for recreation, to large aircraft used for other purposes, are subject to the provisions of legislation by EASA, which aims to the safety of flights within the Cyprus Airspace and the European Union.

Press the button below to download all relevant regulations for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Learn more

Why register?

Owners and operators of Drones are required to comply with the provisions of the applicable legislation. Violation of the law constitutes an offence and offenders will be liable to penalties.

Operator Vs Drone Registration

  • Operations in the ‘Open’ and ‘Specific’ category require registration of the Operator and NOT the Drone whereas in the ‘Certified’ category the requirement is to register the Drone
  • The registration is valid for 3 years. After this period you are required to register again to renew your registration.
  • After you register you will receive your Operator Registration number which you have to display on all of your drones in a way that it cannot be erased (How to display my operator registration number example).
  • You have to also upload this number on your drone (provided your drone has this capability).
  • This registration number is different from your Remote Pilot Number which shows that you have passed the exam.
  • To register successfully you must pay the registration fee which is €15.

Online Training and Exam

  • To become a drone pilot in subcategory A1/A3 you must get trained by studying all nine training lessons
  • Carefully study all Lessons to gain a good knowledge regarding the new drone regulations by EASA, drone operations and their effect on privacy & data protection, how a drone functions, what to do in emergency situations and many more
  • When you finish the online training and are confident enough, you can proceed to take the Online Examination
  • The examination is comprised of 40 multiple choice questions and the pass mark is 75%
  • Don’t be disappointed if you fail the exam the first time. You have 3 tries in total
  • Enroll for the the online training and exam by paying the required fee which is €15 in total

Who should take the Exam?

  • Do you want to fly a Drone or a Model Aircraft in the Open or Specific Category? You must first pass the Online Exam and get your A1/A3 Remote Pilot Certificate
  • The online exam is required for those who want to fly a drone in the ‘Open’ category in subcategories A1/A3 and /or wish to get the A2 and/or STS Certificates
  • The pass mark is 75% and you have 3 tries in total to pass
  • Once you pass your exam, you will receive you remote pilot Certificate. Its validity will be 5 years
  • You must have your Remote Pilot Certificate in your possession whenever you plan to perform drone operations and present it when asked by the authorities
  • You must re-take the online exam when your certificate expires
  • You are not required to register as an Operator to be able to take the exam.: you can be a drone pilot but not responsible for the drone as well

Who should Register?

  • If you are responsible or own a Drone or Model Aircraft you are required to register as an ‘Operator’ provided your Drone meets any of the following conditions:
    FOR DRONE OPERATIONS IN THE ‘OPEN’ CATEGORY
  • My drone has a total weight including batteries and equipment of more than 250 grams
  • My drone has a camera or other equipment able to capture personal data and has a weight of less than 250 grams
    FOR DRONE OPERATIONS IN THE ‘SPECIFIC’ CATEGORY
  • All drone operators in this category are required to register themselves irrespective of the drone’s mass
    FOR DRONE OPERATIONS THE ‘CERTIFIED’ CATEGORY
  • If you own a Drone which is subject to certification you are required to register the Drone itself
  • All certified drones shall be registered by their owner

Operator Registration

Register as an Operator if you own a drone that has a camera and able to record personal data

Register

Registration fee €15

Register

Online Training School

Follow our Training Lessons to gain the knowledge required to become an A1/A3 Drone Pilot

Training Lessons

Training & Exam fee €15

Training Lessons

Online Examination

Get the A1/A3 Remote Pilot Certificate by passing the online examination with a minimum pass mark of 75%

Get your Pilot Certificate

Training & Exam fee €15

Get your Pilot Certificate

Rules of the Air

You are responsible for every flight

Follow the drone rules and the manufacturer’s instructions to stay safe.

Respect people's privacy

Do not take photographs, videos or sound recording of people without their permission.

Keep the right distance

Stay away from people and property. Do not overfly crowds.

Check where you are allowed to fly

Check and respect the geographical zones in which you are allowed to fly as defined by the National Aviation Authority.

Keep your drone in Visual Line of Sight

Ensure that you can see your drone while flying and avoid obstacles and people.

Get your Pilot certificate

Become a drone pilot for the A1/A3 Subcategory by training and passing the exam.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

As of 31st December 2020, national rules for drones will be replaced by a common European regulations. The purpose of this reform is to create a truly harmonised drone market in Europe with the highest level of safety. In practice, it means that once a drone Οperator has received an authorisation from its state of registry, he/she will be allowed to freely circulate in the European Union. According to the level of risk involved, this new legal framework will introduce three categories of drone operations:
Open, Specific and Certified

The Regulations

Drone operations are to be conducted according to the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (as amended).

Open Category

Considering the low level of risks involved, does not require an authorisation by the competent authority nor a declaration by the drone operator before the operation takes place. The drone must have a total take off mass of less than 25kg and operated in Visual line of Sight. at a max. height of 120m.

Specific Category

Considering the medium level of the risks involved, requires an authorisation before the operation takes place, taking into account the mitigation measures identified in an operational risk assessment, except for certain standard scenarios where a declaration by the operator is sufficient.

Certified Category

Considering the high risks involved, requires the certification of the drone and a licensed remote pilot. If you have a drone that is able to carry people then you are in the Certified category!

Coming to Cyprus from a Non EU country?

Are you living outside of Europe? Are you planning to visit Cyprus and bring your drone to capture amazing shots of our beautiful island? Please read the important information below and watch our promo video

Operator Registration (Non EU Residents)

  • If you are coming from a non EU country and this is the FIRST time you will fly your drone in an EU country, you MUST register as an Operator into our systems here
  • Upon registration, you will receive a unique Operator Registration number which you MUST attach on your drone (see example here). If you have several drones, the same number must be attached on all of them
  • You are not allowed to fly in NO FLY ZONES and you must keep aways a minimum of 8km distance away from airports / heliports
  • If you already conducted operations in another EU country before coming to Cyprus, then you must not register again. You always register to the first non EU country you have conducted flights
  • To register successfully you must pay the registration fee which is €15. Method of payment is only by VISA card

Remote Pilot Certificate (Non EU Residents)

  • If you want to fly your drone in Cyprus and you live in a non EU country, you must hold a Remote pilot Certificate issued from an EU country
  • You can get the A1/A3 Certificate by registering into our online Remote Pilot School here
  • The online training and exam is required for those who want to fly a drone in the ‘Open’ category in subcategories A1/A3
  • The pass mark is 75% and you have 3 tries in total to pass
  • Once you pass your exam, you will receive you remote pilot Certificate. Its validity will be 5 years
  • You must have your Remote Pilot Certificate in your possession whenever you plan to perform drone operations in Cyprus and present it when asked by the authorities
  • The fee for the online training and exam is €15. Method of payment is only by VISA card

Report an Occurrence

Had an Accident or Incident while flying your drone? Please make sure you report it !

According to Regulation (EU) No. 376/2014, on the reporting, analysis and follow-up of occurrences in civil aviation, you should report this ‘Occurrence’ so as allow the industry and regulators to be informed about the risks they are facing and to make choices supported with relevant knowledge and information provided by aircraft operators.

Submit your Occurrence Report by filling out the official ECCAIRS2 online form using the button below

Report an Occurrence
Back To Top
en_USEN
en_USEN elGR