If you fly a drone in Romania — recreationally or commercially — there is only one tool that you must not ignore before every flight: the official map of UAS geographical areas published by ROMATSA.
This map tells you precisely where you are allowed to fly freely, where you need permission, and where flying is completely prohibited. Ignoring it is not just an error of incompetence — it is a contravention sanctioned under the Romanian Air Code, with substantial fines and the risk of confiscation of the drone.
In this guide, you will find everything you need to read the ROMATSA map correctly: what each color means, how to interpret aeronautical codes, how to get a clearance, and the most common mistakes pilots make at the beginning of the road.
What are UAS geozones and why do they exist?
A geographic UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) area is a defined portion of airspace where authorities establish specific rules for the operation of drones. The European legal framework is established by Regulation (EU) 2019/947, which entered into force in Romania on December 31, 2020.
According to this regulation, each member state of the E.U. must publish and keep up to date a map of all UAS geographic areas. In Romania, this responsibility rests with AACR (Romanian Civil Aviation Authority), which collaborates with ROMATSA to publish and maintain the interactive map.
UAS geographic areas are created to protect:
Airspace is never “free”. Even above an open field at the edge of a village, there may be restrictions that are not visible to the naked eye, but appear clearly on the map.
The ROMATSA map — what does it look like and how do you open it?
The official map for drones in Romania is available at:
The map is published and maintained by ROMATSA. It’s free, doesn’t require an account, and is accessible from any device with a browser.
When you open the map for the first time, you will see:
You can navigate the map by zoom (scroll or +/- buttons) and drag (drag).
Color Code – What does each area mean?
The first rule to read the map is the color code. Each color indicates a different flight regime, from free permission to completely prohibited.
Purple / Violet — Military Zones (Mandatory MApN Notice)
Purple colored areas represent military regime airspace under the administration of the Ministry of National Defense (MApN). The flight requires express authorization from MApN, regardless of the flight altitude and regardless of the category of the drone.
The request is submitted exclusively on the official platform: aerofoto.mapn.ro.
Blue — Restricted Areas (R / LR)
Blue areas represent restricted airspace (code R or LR). Flying is possible but requires prior authorization. They usually include areas near civil airports and heliports.
Authorization is obtained by submitting Appendix 1 (standard notification form) to the responsible control tower using: romatsa.ro/ro/a/servicii/uas.
Amber / Orange — NOTAM active
Amber areas represent temporary restrictions in effect, activated by a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen). They appear for military exercises, air shows, fireworks, work with high cranes, etc.
A NOTAM has a period of validity — it can be active for a few hours or a few days. Always check the time range, not just its presence.
Grey — Conditional areas (enabled by NOTAM)
Grey areas are currently inactive but can be activated at any time by a NOTAM. As a rule, they are areas reserved for periodic military exercises. The fact that the gray area does not have an active NOTAM today does not mean that it will be free tomorrow morning.
Aeronautical codes on the map
In addition to colors, areas are identified by European standardized aeronautical codes. However, the ROMATSA map does not always comply with these standards, and many of the areas in Romania will have the prefix RZ, which stands for “Restricted Zone” (restricted zone). Here are the most important aeronautical codes you will come across:
CTR — Control Zone (Airport Control Zone)
CTR is the area of controlled airspace around an airport that extends from the ground to a specified altitude. Each active airport in Romania has a defined CTR. Inside a CTR, drone flight requires coordination with the control tower regardless of altitude.
TMA — Terminal Maneuvering Area
The TMA is the area above the CTR where aircraft perform approach and takeoff maneuvers. It covers a larger radius and higher altitudes than the CTR. For drone pilots flying below 120 m, the TMA generally does not impose any additional restrictions beyond those of the CTR.
R — Restricted Zone
An R zone is restricted airspace — flight is possible with clearance. It appears in blue on the map. Identifiers type LR-B, LR-CK etc. have the prefix LR (ICAO code of Romania) followed by the unique identifier of the area.
P — Prohibited Zone
A P zone is completely no-fly. There is no standard authorization procedure. Covers strategic military installations, maximum security government targets and other areas excluded by law from any aircraft.
D — Danger Zone
Associated with hazardous air activities — live-fire military exercises, firing ranges, missile activities. Flying isn’t necessarily prohibited, but it carries real risks. Check if zone D has an active NOTAM.
TSA / TRA — Temporary Segregated / Reserved Area
Areas temporarily reserved for specific activities — military exercises, air demonstrations, special activities. They usually appear as gray (conditional) areas and become active through NOTAM. They can cover large areas in short periods.
How do you read a zone popup?
When you click on any colored area on the ROMATSA map, a popup with detailed information opens. This is the official document of the area.
What you will find in the popup:
Altitude limits — expressed in:
If an area has a lower limit GND and an upper limit 120 m AGL, the restriction applies to the entire space where you are allowed to fly in the Open category.
Area Type and Responsible Authority— CTR, R, P, D, etc., and the entity that administers it.
Contact details — Phone and email for control tower (R zones) or permit request instructions.
Specific instructions — Authorization procedure, required documents, and application deadlines.
Flying Near Airports — CTR Areas
This is where most pilots make unintentional mistakes. Romania has 16 commercial airports, each with a defined CTR area.
Airports with active CTRs in Romania:
What to do if you want to fly in a CTR:
Military zones and MApN notice
Romania has a significant military presence on its territory, and the UAS map reflects this through the many purple areas (MApN). If you live near a military base or a firing range, you may be permanently in an area that requires MApN approval.
Types of MApN notices
Both are requested exclusively via: aerofoto.mapn.ro
Deadline
The legal term is 7 working days (12 working days for the overflight of the city of Bucharest – LRR3/RZ570). Plan ahead — don’t request a few days before your flight.
What are NOTAMs and how do you check them?
A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen / Notice to Air Missions) is an official notification announcing temporary airspace changes. It can be issued by ROMATSA, the military forces or other competent authorities.
NOTAMs are extremely important because they can temporarily activate restrictions in areas that appear free or conditional on the map. A green field can become a restricted area for a few hours if military exercises are conducted in the area.
Frequent types of NOTAM in Romania:
How do you check active NOTAMs?
On the ROMATSA map, active NOTAM areas appear in amber. Click on the amber area for details: type of activity, altitudes affected, time interval, issuing authority.
How to check if you are allowed to fly — step by step
Your Responsibilities as a Pilot
Pre-flight check is mandatory
According to Regulation (EU) 2019/947, checking the airspace before each flight is a legal requirement, not a recommendation. Ignorance cannot be invoked as an excuse.
Maximum altitude 120 m
Even in areas without special restrictions, the legal limit for the Open category is 120 meters from the nearest point on the ground or an artificial obstacle. Overtaking puts her out of the Open category.
VLOS — Direct Line of Sight
În categoria Open, trebuie să menții drona în raza vizuală directă pe toată durata zborului — să o poți vedea cu ochiul liber, fără binoclu sau elemente ajutătoare.
Your drone must be registered
Any drone with a MTOW (Maximum Takeoff Weight) of 250g or more must be registered with the AACR. The operator must hold a valid UAS operator code.
The most common mistakes of pilots
“I’ve flown there before with no problems.”
The airspace situation is changing. A vacant location three months ago may be covered by an active NOTAM today. Check every time.
“My drone is under 250g, so no restrictions.”
Completely fake. A drone under 250g must still comply with all UAS geographies. The 250g threshold relates to registration and certification, not flight areas.
“I didn’t see any colored areas, so it’s free.”
Check again at a higher zoom. Some areas are clearly visible only at advanced zoom.
“I called the control tower, and they said I could fly.”
A telephone conversation does not constitute official authorization. The authorization must be in writing. If you are required to produce the authorization, the verbal statement is legally worthless.
Fly to conditional areas (grey) without checking if they are enabled
Grey areas appear inactive but can be activated several hours in advance via NOTAM. Be sure to check the NOTAMs for the gray areas in the flight plan.
Pre-Flight Checklist – save it to your phone
Map ROMATSA vs. UAV Base — what are the differences?
The ROMATSA map is the official source and remains the legal reference document. But there’s an important difference between being the official source and being the best tool for a pilot who wants to make a quick, informed decision before a flight. Here is an honest and concrete comparison between the two.
Interface and Ease of Use
The ROMATSA map is a platform built primarily for air traffic management — a professional tool for controllers, not drone pilots. The interface is functional, but austere: colored areas, click for a pop-up, raw information in aeronautical format.
UAV Base was designed exclusively for drone pilots with a focus on readability and decision speed. The zones are consistently colored, the popups automatically translate the aeronautical language into clear text (eg: instead of LR-CLJ CTR GND-1500ft AMSL, it directly displays Zone CTR — mandatory authorization, submit Annex 1 to the Cluj control tower).
UAV Base
ROMATSAPopup information — raw vs. interpreted
On the ROMATSA map, a zone pop-up displays raw technical data: zone code, altitude limits in aeronautical format, and contact data in unselected text. The pilot must already know what each field means to extract the useful information.
UAV Base interprets this data and presents it directly actionable:
UAV Base
ROMATSAAdditional data on the same map
The ROMATSA map displays exclusively UAS geographic areas. For any additional information — weather, air traffic, mobile coverage — you have to open other separate apps.
UAV Base integrates on the same map, on the same screen:
UAV Base
ROMATSANOTAMs — raw display vs. translated
On the ROMATSA map, the text of a NOTAM appears in raw ICAO format — a technical language with abbreviations, codes, and a specific structure for aeronautics: Q) LRBB/QRTCA/IV/BO/AW/000/060/4546N02616E005. Useful for a controller, less so for a drone pilot.
UAV Base automatically translates each NOTAM into human format, with:
UAV Base
ROMATSASearch and Navigation
On the ROMATSA map, navigation is done by manual zoom. There is no address search feature that is as fluid as a modern app.
UAV Base offers search by full address, locality or point of interest, with GPS geolocation (auto-centering on your current position) and real-time suggestions — just like an app of modern navigation.
UAV BaseROMATSADark mode and the mobile experience
The ROMATSA map has no dark mode and is not optimized for mobile use. On a phone, the interface can be difficult to navigate, especially when you’re out in the field.
UAV Base has native dark mode, a responsive interface adapted for mobile and tablets, and a toolbar designed for one-handed use — precisely because pilots use it in the field, not in the office.
UAV BaseROMATSAComparative conclusion
| Function | ROMATSA Map | UAV Base |
|---|---|---|
| Official legal source | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (data sourced from ROMATSA) |
| Zones Static UAS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Active NOTAMs | ✅ (ICAO raw text) | ✅ (Translated into Romanian, plain text) |
| Popup-uri interpretate | ❌ Raw technical data | ✅ Clear instructions + direct links |
| Live ADS-B air traffic | ❌ | ✅ |
| Drone weather forecast | ❌ | ✅ Fly Score + 16 days + 80m wind |
| Telecom layer | ❌ | ✅ |
| AI legislation assistant | ❌ | ❌ |
| Community flight announcement | ❌ | ✅ |
| Search by address | Limitată | ✅ Complete + GPS |
| Dark mode | ❌ | ✅ |
| Optimized for mobile | Parțial | ✅ |
| Free | ✅ | ✅ |
The ROMATSA map remains the primary legal source — UAV Base uses it as the foundation of its data. But if you want to make a quick, informed, and correct flight decision with all relevant data in one screen, UAV Base is the tool built just for that.
Conclusion
The official ROMATSA map is not a complicated tool, but it requires attention and getting used to it. With a little practice, checking the airspace becomes a minutes-long routine — just like checking the weather before you leave home.
Those who fly legally and in the know are not only legally safer — they are better, more responsible pilots who help build a positive image of the drone community in Romania.
The section above details exactly how UAV Base differs from the official ROMATSA map and why it’s worth adding to your pre-flight routine. You can find it for free, without an account, at: uavbase.com.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find the official map for drones in Romania?
At flightplan.romatsa.ro/init/drones — free, no account.
What is the maximum altitude allowed for drones in Romania?
In the Open category, 120 meters from the nearest point on the ground or an artificial obstacle, except where a specific geographical area imposes a lower limit.
Can I fly a drone in the city?
Depends on the locality and the specific area. Many cities are partially covered by CTRs. Check the exact location on the map. Even in “free” areas in cities, the Open rules impose minimum distances from non-involved persons or gatherings of people.
Do drones under 250g need to respect geographic zones?
Yes. All drones, regardless of weight, must comply with UAS geographic zones. The 250g threshold relates to registration and certification, not flight areas.
How do I get authorization for a CTR zone?
Complete Annex 1 and submit it to the responsible control tower. Contact details can be found in the CTR area pop-up. Please allow a minimum of 24–48 hours for a response.
How long does it take to get MApN approval?
The legal term is 7 calendar days (12 working days for the overflight of the city of Bucharest – LRR3/RZ570). The request is submitted on aerofoto.mapn.ro.
What are the risks if I fly without authorization in a restricted area?
Contravention fines (according to Decision no. 912/2010 and Law no. 21/2020 — Romanian Air Code), confiscation of the drone, and, in serious cases involved in incidents with piloted aircraft, a criminal case.
How do I know if there is an active NOTAM in my area?
On the ROMATSA map, areas with active NOTAM appear in amber. Click on the area for details: type of activity, time interval, and affected altitudes. Check on the day of the flight.
Is it enough to check the UAV Base before the flight, or do I also need the ROMATSA map?
UAV Base takes official data from ROMATSA and translates it into an accessible format, adding live ADS-B air traffic, weather forecast with Fly Score, and telecom layer — all features absent from the map ROMAN. For full details on the differences, read the dedicated section in this guide. We recommend checking both before flights in sensitive areas.
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.
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