How to get a drone license in Europe: Step-by-step guide and EASA rules

Drone flights in the EU are a strictly regulated process. With the introduction of unified EASA rules, flying without documents is prohibited. However, obtaining legal status and flight permission is quite simple.

Which license do you need?

For most commercial tasks (real estate aerial photography, construction monitoring), the Open Category is used.

Basic level (A1/A3)

Mandatory for drones heavier than 250 grams (e.g., DJI Air/Mavic). It allows flying far from people and buildings. If the drone weighs less than 250g (DJI Mini), an exam is not required, but operator registration is mandatory due to the presence of a camera.

Advanced level (A2)

Required for drones weighing up to 4 kg. This is your choice for commercial filming within city limits and near people (at a distance of at least 30 meters).

3 steps to legal flights in the European Union

1. Registration and free exam (A1/A3)

In Poland, all procedures are handled through the official portal of the Civil Aviation Authority (ULC): drony.gov.pl. Complete the registration, study the free training materials, and pass a 40-question online test (safety, meteorology, privacy). After passing, you will receive a unique operator number — apply it to the body of your drone.

2. Exam for the city (A2)

To obtain an A2 certificate, an additional theoretical exam (30 questions) is required. It is taken under online supervision or in person at a certified training center. A list of accredited centers can also be found on the ULC portal.

3. Zone check and Check-in before flight

An EASA license is universal — by passing the exam in Poland, you can legally fly throughout the EU. However, before every takeoff, it is necessary to check the airspace (No-Fly zones) and report your flight. In Poland, this is done via the official app from PANSA: DroneTower (available on the App Store or Google Play). Without a "check-in" in the app, the flight is considered a violation.