You just bought a drone. You may have heard that you “have to register it somewhere,” but you don’t know exactly what that means, where it’s done, how long it takes, and whether or not it applies to you.
The short answer: if your drone has a camera or weighs 250g or more, registration is not optional. It is a European legal requirement, directly applicable in Romania from December 31, 2020, and comes with a unique identification number that you are required to display on the drone before the first flight.
The process itself is not complicated — it takes a few minutes online and is done only once. But you need to understand exactly what you’re registering, why this requirement exists, and what long-term obligations it creates for you.
Why is there a registration requirement?
Before 2021, every European country had its own rules for drones — or none at all. The result was chaos: the same pilot could fly legally in Germany and illegally in France using the same drone and the same operating procedures.
The European Union solved this problem through Regulation (EU) 2019/947, which entered into force in Romania on December 31, 2020. Among its requirements fundamental is the obligation for all drone operators to be registered in a national register, managed by the aeronautical authority of each state.
The purpose of registration is multiple:
Registration is not a hidden fee or unnecessary red tape. It’s the tool by which the air safety system works — just as you can’t drive an unregistered car, you can’t fly an unregistered drone if it meets the criteria for registration.
Who must register — and who is exempt?
This is the first question every new rider asks. The answer depends on the characteristics of your drone.
Registration is required if your drone:
Registration is NOT required if:
If you’re not sure, apply the simple rule: if your drone has a camera, register. The cost of registration is negligible compared to the risk of flying without it.
Operator registration vs. drone recording — what’s the difference?
This is one of the most common sources of confusion. In Romania, under European regulations, there is a clear distinction:
UAS Operator Registration
You register you as the person responsible for operating the drone. You are the UAS operator — whether you own a single drone or an entire fleet. You receive a unique UAS operator number (of the form ROU-XXXXXXXXXXXXXX-XXX) which you are required to display on all your drones.
It is a per-person or per-company registration, not per-drone. If you have 5 drones, you only register as an operator once and display the same code on all 5 drones.
Drone registration (fleet declaration)
Separately from the operator registration, within the same AACR account you can declare the drones in your fleet (model, weight, serial number). The individual declaration of each drone in the fleet in the AACR portal is a functionality of the platform, but it is not an explicit requirement of the European regulation for standard flights in the Open category.
What’s important to remember
The main legal obligation in the Open category is operator registration and displaying the operator code on the drone. If you have a valid operator code and display it on the drone, you are in compliance with the basic requirement — regardless of whether or not you have each individual drone declared in the portal.
How to register as a UAS operator with AACR — step by step
The registration process is conducted online, through the AACR official portal. Here’s what each stage looks like:
Step 1 — Access the AACR Portal
Go to the official website of the Romanian Civil Aeronautical Authority: aacr.ro and navigate to the section dedicated to the registration of UAS operators. Look for the “Drone” or “UAS” menu or section — the site structure may change, but the listing is always accessible from the main page.
Step 2 — Create an account
If you don’t have an existing account, create one with your email address and a password. You will receive a confirmation email — also check your Spam folder if you can’t find it in your inbox.
Step 3 — Fill in the data as an operator
You will complete:
Step 4 — Declare the drone (recommended)
You can add your drones to the operator account — manufacturer, model, serial number, weight, if it has Remote ID. This allows you to manage your entire fleet from one place and simplifies documentation for flights that require authorization.
Step 5 — Pay the registration fee
Registration is subject to a fee set by the AACR. Check the updated value on the official website as it may change. Payment is made online with the card.
Step 6 — Receive UAS Operator Code
After the registration is processed — usually immediately — you receive your UAS operator code and registration certificate in digital format directly on the platform. Download it and save it in multiple places (phone, cloud, email).
What you get after registration — UAS operator code
The UAS operator code is your unique identifier in the National Register of UAS Operators in Romania. It has the format:
Starts with the prefix ROU (country code of Romania), followed by a unique alphanumeric string generated by the AACR platform upon registration.
What is operator code for?
What is operator code NOT?
The operator code is not a pilot license. They are two completely separate things. You can be registered as an operator without your pilot certificate, but you cannot legally fly without both (if your situation requires both).
How do you mark the drone with the operator code?
This is the step that many ignore or take lightly — and it’s the very step that makes logging visible and verifiable in the field.
Legal Requirement
The regulation requires that the UAS operator number be displayed on the drone visibly, legibly and durably. There is no strict format requirement (size, font, color), but it must be clearly legible without special tools.
Practical Markup Methods
Printed sticker label — the most common method. You print the code on a waterproof label (sticker paper or vinyl) and stick it to the body of the drone, the battery or the wing of an arm. Advantage: It can be easily replaced if it gets damaged or if you change your code.
Engrave with a laser or an engraving tool — permanent method, ideal for expensive drones you don’t intend to sell. Resistant to any weather conditions.
Permanent marker (water resistant) — the simplest solution, acceptable if the text is clear and legible. Disadvantage: can be erased over time or when cleaning the drone.
Electro EDM — used by serious commercial operators, leaves a permanent mark in metal or plastic without damaging the structure.
Where do you place the marker on the drone?
There is no specific location requirement, but practical recommendations are:
What happens when selling a drone
If you sell the drone, your tag must be removed or covered and replaced with the new owner’s code. The new operator must register and brand the drone with their own code before the first flight.
Remote ID — what is it and how does it relate to registration?
Remote ID is the electronic identification system for drones — the equivalent of a license plate, but in a digital and wireless version. A drone with Remote ID continuously transmits, in real time, a set of data that can be received by any compatible device in the vicinity.
What data does Remote ID transmit?
Is Remote ID required for my drone?
Remote ID requirement depends on drone class (C1, C2, C3, etc.) and date of manufacture. The European regulation introduces the requirement progressively:
Link to registration
If your drone has Remote ID, the AACR registered operator code must be programmed by you into the Remote ID module. Without this programming, Remote ID transmission is incomplete and non-compliant. The programming process differs from manufacturer to manufacturer — for DJI, it’s done from the DJI Fly app; for other brands, from the dedicated application or configuration software.
Basically, registering with AACR and you programming the Remote ID are two complementary actions — the first without the second is incomplete if your drone has Remote ID.
Registration for Legal Entities — Companies and Sole Traders (PFA)
If you operate a drone on behalf of a company, a sole trader (PFA), or any other legal entity — whether you fly for clients or the drone is owned and used by the company — the registration must be done under the legal entity, not under the employee or the administrator as a private individual.
What’s different compared to registration as an individual?
Sole trader (PFA) vs. individual
If you are a sole trader (PFA) and you fly commercially, the question of registering as a PFA versus as an individual depends on how your activity is structured. Consult an accountant or a legal advisor for tax and legal optimization — from the AACR’s perspective, the main requirement is that the operator is correctly identified.
When you need Operational Authorization (OA)
Companies wishing to carry out operations beyond the limits of the Open category (BVLOS, over crowds, with large drones) need an Operational Authorization, issued by the AACR based on a technical file and an operational manual. This is a separate and more complex process than simply registering the operator.
Have multiple drones — need to register them all?
This is a question that multi-camera photographers and videographers or enthusiasts with a varied fleet often ask themselves.
The simple answer: you only register as an operator once, no matter how many drones you have. You get a single UAS operator code and display it on all your drones. There is no additional fee per drone for operator registration.
What you need to do for each individual drone:
If you have drones with different features that fall into different subcategories (eg: a sub-250g drone for A1 and a 2kg drone for A2), the subcategory requirements apply per-drone and per-flight — but the operator record remains one.
What happens if you don’t register
Let’s be blunt: the likelihood of getting caught right away is relatively low if you’re flying in an isolated location with no witnesses. But “getting away every time” isn’t a strategy—it’s a gamble that can end badly. Here’s why it pays to be compliant:
Infringement fines
Flying a drone that should have been registered without registration is an offense under national and European aviation legislation. The competent authorities — the Romanian Police and AACR — can impose fines.
Drone Confiscation
In the event of an inspection, authorities may seize the drone as a means of committing the offense, especially if you cannot prove that you are the legal owner or that you have complied with registration requirements.
Problems occur with incidents, not controls
The biggest risk of non-registration isn’t the routine check — it’s the incident. If your drone falls on a car and causes €5,000 in damage, the fact that you are not registered turns a civil issue (covered by insurance) into a criminal and administrative issue. Without registration, proving good faith is much more difficult.
Unable to request permissions
If you want to fly in a CTR area, obtain MApN approval or participate in any procedure that requires your identification as an operator, without a registered operator code you cannot complete the necessary documents. Registration is a prerequisite for any other authorization.
Conclusion
Registering as a UAS operator at AACR is the first and simplest obligation you have as a drone pilot in Romania. It takes no more than 10-15 minutes, is done only once, and the code you receive officially identifies you in the European airspace management system.
Once you have the operator code, tag the drone, program it into Remote ID if applicable, and you’re ready to move on to the next step: getting your pilot certificate and checking flight areas before each takeoff.
Don’t let red tape discourage you — a registered and informed pilot flies with a completely different confidence than one who is “hoping not to get caught.” And in the end, that makes the difference between a nice hobby and a useless problem.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
How old do I have to be to register as a UAS operator?
Minimum 16 years to be a UAS operator in the Open category. If you are under 16, an adult must be registered as an operator and be responsible for the flight.
Can I fly someone else’s drone if I have my own operator code?
Yes. The operator code belongs to you as the person responsible for the flight, not to the drone. If you’re flying a friend’s drone, you’re the operator for that flight, and the responsibility falls on you. Ideally, your code should be displayed on the drone—or at the very least, you should be able to prove that you’re the designated operator for that flight.
Do I need to register again if I buy a new drone?
No — the operator code remains the same no matter how many drones you purchase. You just need to display the same code on the new drone and, if you wish, add it to the declared fleet from your AACR account.
Can I have two operators for the same drone?
No — a drone can only be associated with one operator at a time. If multiple people are flying the same drone at different times, each person must be registered separately as an operator and the drone must display the active operator code at the time of the flight — or the owner code, with a clear delegation of responsibility.
What do I do if I lose or forget the operator code?
You access your account from the AACR portal and find the issued certificate. If you no longer have access to your account, contact AACR directly for recovery.
Is the Romanian registration valid in other EU countries?
Yes. The European regulation establishes a system of mutual recognition. The ROU operator code issued by the AACR is valid in all EU member states that apply Regulation (EU) 2019/947. However, UAS zones vary from country to country — you must check the specific restrictions map for each country before flying outside of Romania.
I have had the drone for a few months and have flown it without a record. What do I do now?
The simplest: register now. There is no special “regularization” procedure with automatic penalties for late registration — the process is the same no matter when you do it. Once registered, you are compliant from that point on. If you have had previous flights, they cannot be retroactively regularized, but the risk of consequences for the past is practically negligible compared to the risk of continuing to fly unregistered.
Does registration relieve me of any other obligation?
No. Operator registration is a requirement, not a general authorization to fly. You must still have: pilot certificate (if required), liability insurance (in certain cases), respect the UAS geographic areas and obtain the specific authorizations for the areas that require them.
Where can I find updated registration information?
The official source is always the AACR website: aacr.ro. Procedures and fees are subject to change, and the updated version is always the one on the official website.
Article written by the UAV Base team. Last update: 2026. Based on Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Regulation (EU) 2019/945 and ROMATSA and AACR national procedures valid at the time of publication.
Leave a Reply