Legal guide: how to fly your drone legally in Romania

Mandatory for any drone with a camera, whatever its weight (and for those over 250g without a camera). You register once, as an operator, on the AACR portal: uas.caa.ro (opens in a new tab).

You receive a UAS operator code that you must display visibly on every drone (a label or permanent marker) and load into the drone's systems where supported (e.g. DJI Fly).

A1/A3 — the basic online exam, mandatory for drones over 249g (and recommended for everyone). It is free on the AACR portal: 40 multiple-choice questions from the course material.

A2 — an extra one that lets you fly closer to uninvolved people (down to 30m, or 5m in low-speed mode) with class C2 drones. It needs an additional exam and declared practical self-training.

Open — everyday flying: below 120m, within visual line of sight (VLOS), drone under 25kg, not over crowds of people. Subcategories: A1 (over isolated people, light drones), A2 (close to people, with an A2 certificate), A3 (far from people and buildings).

Specific — what does not fit in Open (BVLOS, above 120m, flying over crowds): it needs AACR authorisation, standard scenarios (STS/PDRA) or a LUC certificate.

Certified — high-risk operations (carrying people or dangerous goods) — not relevant for recreational pilots.

At most 120m above ground level (AGL) · the drone always within visual line of sight (VLOS) · not over crowds of people · not near airports or restricted zones without authorisation · Remote ID on for class C1–C3 drones (mandatory since 2024) · respect people's privacy (the GDPR applies to filming).

Check the official ROMATSA map before every flight: flightplan.romatsa.ro (opens in a new tab). Types of zone:

CTR (airports) — authorisation from the control tower, through the procedure in the AIP (usually at least 24 hours ahead). Military zones — Ministry of Defence approval through aerofoto.mapn.ro (opens in a new tab) (7 working days for aerial photogrammetry). CNCAN zones (nuclear), protected natural areas (the administrator's consent) and temporary restrictions through NOTAM — sometimes activated only a few hours ahead.

The AirSpot map shows you the official zones and live NOTAMs in plain terms — but the final decision is made on the official source.

Fines for unlawful flying range from 2,000 to 40,000 lei, and may be joined by confiscation of the drone. Flying in prohibited zones or over strategic sites can also lead to criminal liability.

I have a drone under 250g with a camera — do I have to register? Yes. Under 250g you skip the A1/A3 exam, but not the operator registration.

Can I fly at night? Yes, in Open, if the drone has the required position lights (flashing green) and you follow the other rules.

Can I fly in a city? It depends: not over crowds of people without the right classification (A1/A2 depending on the drone's class), and many cities lie under an airport CTR. Check the map first.

I film commercially — is it still the Open category? A commercial purpose does not take you out of Open; what matters is the risk of the operation. For scenarios beyond the Open limits you need authorisation in Specific.