Department of Civil Aviation Unmanned Aircraft Cyprus CYPRUS

UAS CYPRUS

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AVIATION

UAS CYPRUS

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AVIATION

Regulations

From 01/01/2021 all Unmanned AIrcraft Systems (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. Three categories of drone operations are formed: “Open”, “Specific” and “Certified”.

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.
You must register ONLY if you are 18 years of age and above. Otherwise, a person responsible can register as the Operator on your behalf (i.e parent, guardian, friend)
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.
If you have a “C0” drone (<250g) you DO NOT need to take the exam BUT it is highly recommended that you do so in order to be a better pilot!
Minimum age for remote pilots is 16 years. But if you are less than 16 years of age you can still fly if supervised by a person 16 years of age or more.
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%. 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 Register?

If you are responsible or own a Drone or Model Aircraft and you are 18 years of age or more, 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

Who should take the Exam?

To become a drone pilot you must first pass the Online Exam and get your A1/A3 Remote Pilot Certificate.
If you have a “C0” drone (<250g) you DO NOT need to take the exam BUT it is highly recommended that you do so in order to be a better pilot!
Minimum age of for Remote pilots is 16 years. But you can still fly your drone if supervised by a remote pilot. So it is advised that you take the A1/A3 exam even if your are not 16 years of age.
Once you pass your exam, you will receive by email your 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
For Renewal of your Certificate , you must re-take the online exam before your certificate expires

Operator Registration

Registration fee €15

(Min. age for Registration is 18 years)

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 here

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 here

(Min. age for EXAM A1/A3 is 16 years)

Class Identification Label

EASA requires that all drones operating in the European Union to be marked with a Class Identification Label from January 1st, 2024. It is very important to note that all drones that have been placed in the market after 01/01/2024 and DO NOT bear a Class Identification Label, are NOT allowed to be operated in the Open Category but only in the Specific Category, following an application for an Operational Authorisation.

The Class Identification Label is a standardised label that categorises drones based on their weight, capability, and potential risk. The regulation defines seven classes C0-C6, each class having a unique label (shown above) that must be displayed on the drone.

Geographical Zones in Cyprus

Before planning your flight, you must first check if the area you are about to fly falls in a Geographical zone i.e a zone in which drone operations are restricted or prohibited. All these zones are displayed on a map as shown above. The map can be accessed HERE. For each zone, which is represented on the map in the form of a circle or a polygon, you can find the relevant information about that zone i.e zone administrator, contact details, how to gain access to that zone if possible etc.

According to the regulations this map must also be uploaded to your drone, if your drone is one of the following classes: C1,C2,C3,C5,C6. Instructions how to upload the geo zones map into your drone can be found HERE. The Geo Zones json file can be downloaded using the button below.

Download Button Download JSON File (ver 06MAY25)

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

Black quadcopter drone over a cloudy sky

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
Minimum age for Operator registration is 18 years
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