You just bought a drone. You hold it in your hands, the batteries are charged and all you want is to get it up in the air as fast as possible. It’s a feeling we understand perfectly.
Before you do this, there are a few essential things you need to know. Not because “the law says so” — but because flying your drone without knowing the rules is, in 2026, one of the fastest ways to get a hefty fine, have your drone confiscated, and in serious cases, endanger other aircraft or people.
The good news: the rules are clear, the compliance process isn’t complicated, and once you’ve got everything in place, you can fly in peace — without looking behind you every flight.
This guide covers everything you need to do, step by step, before your first legal drone flight in Romania.
The legal framework — what regulations apply in Romania
From December 31, 2020, the operation of drones in Romania and throughout the European Union is regulated by two European regulations, directly applicable in all member states:
At the national level, these regulations are supplemented by the procedures and instructions issued by AACR (Romanian Civil Aeronautical Authority) and ROMATSA (Romanian Administration of Air Traffic Services).
Concretely for you as a pilot: there is no longer a separate “Romanian drone regulation”. The European rules are directly applicable and are the ones you need to know.
First step: what category does your drone fall into?
Before anything else, you need to know what operating category your drone falls into. All other requirements absolutely depend on it — whether you need to register, whether you need a UAS pilot certificate, what insurance you need to have and where you can fly.
There are three main categories:
OPEN category – no prior authorization
The Open category is intended for low-risk flights. It does not require prior authorization or declaration, but imposes strict conditions. It is divided into three subcategories:
A1 — Fly Above People (with conditions)
A2 — Close to People
A3 — Away from people
SPECIFIC Category — with authorization
The Specific category covers higher risk operations than the Open category allows — for example, BVLOS (beyond line of sight) flights, over crowds, with large drones or in complex conditions. Requires Operational Authorization (OA) issued by AACR or an STS Compliance Statement for standard scenarios.
Category CERTIFIED — with full certification
The classic civil aviation equivalent of drones — high-risk operations, large drones, transporting people or dangerous goods. Not applicable to regular users.
For 95% of recreational and commercial pilots in Romania, the Open category (A1, A2 or A3) is the relevant one.
Drone and Operator Registration with AACR
This is the first concrete action you need to take. UAS operator registration with AACR is mandatory if your drone meets any of the conditions below:
What is UAS Operator Registration?
As a UAS operator, you are the natural or legal person responsible for operating the drone. Registration gives you a unique registration number (of the form ROU-XXXXXXXXXXXXXX-XXX) which you are required to display on the drone and enter into its Remote ID system (if the drone has Remote ID).
How do you register?
Registration is done online, through the AACR portal. At the time of writing this guide, the process involves:
The process usually takes a few minutes and the confirmation comes immediately or in a few hours directly on the platform.
Drone Marking
Once registered, you must physically mark the drone with your operator number. You can print it on a durable label or write with a permanent marker. There is no specific format requirement — the important thing is that it is readable and durable.
How to register as a UAS operator with AACR — step by step
The registration process is online through the AACR official portal. Here’s what each stage looks like:
UAS Pilot Certificates — Need One?
It depends on your drone and where you want to fly. Here are the concrete requirements:
You don’t need a certificate if:
Even in these cases, registration and compliance with UAS geographic areas remain mandatory if the drone has a camera.
A1/A3 online certificate — for subcategories A1 and A3
It is an online course followed by a 40-question grid test, accessible on the AACR platform. It covers basic knowledge about:
The minimum passing score is 75% (30 out of 40 questions correct). The certificate is valid for 5 years and can be obtained at home, online.
Certificate A2 — for subcategory A2
In addition to the A1/A3 online certificate (mandatory as a previous step), the A2 certificate requires:
The A2 certificate is valid for 5 years.
Where do you get the certificates?
Both the online course and the exams are conducted through the AACR platform (aacr.ro). Check the AACR website for the updated procedure, as the process may change.
Liability Insurance
This is the requirement that most new pilots forget or ignore. Liability insurance for drone operation is mandatory under European regulations for all drones with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) exceeding 20 kg, and strongly recommended (effectively mandatory under Romanian law) for any drone, regardless of weight.
Basically, if your drone falls on a car, person or property, without valid insurance you are personally liable for all damages. The potential costs — auto repairs, medical expenses, property damage — can far exceed the value of your drone.
Where to get insurance
Some options available in Romania:
Check the policy carefully: it must explicitly cover operation of unmanned aircraft (UAS/drone), not just general “third party damage”.
Where you’re allowed to fly — UAS geographic areas map
Even if you are registered, have your certificate and insurance, it doesn’t mean you can fly anywhere. The Romanian airspace is divided into geographic UAS zones, and checking them before each flight is legally mandatory.
The official map is published by ROMATSA:
In a nutshell, here’s what the colors mean:
For an easier experience, you can use UAV Base which automatically translates all this data into clear instructions, adds live air traffic and drone weather forecast — free at uavbase.com.
What should you do before every flight?
Registration and certificate are obtained only once (with periodic renewal). But there are checks you need to do before each flight:
Several days in advance (if flying in an area that requires clearance)
On the day of the flight
At the place of flight
What documents should you have with you when you fly
If you are checked by the Police or AACR while flying, here is what you need to be able to present:
Documents can be stored digitally on the phone. There is no express legal requirement to present them in physical form, but make sure you can access them quickly (not 10 passwords away in different apps).
Ground rules in the air
Once you’re in the air, there are rules you must follow throughout your flight:
Max Altitude — 120 m AGL
In the Open category, you cannot exceed 120 meters from the nearest point on the ground or an artificial obstacle (building, antenna, bridge). Attention: not 120m from where you stand, but from the highest point below the drone. If you are flying over a hill, the limit is calculated from the top of the hill.
VLOS — direct line of sight
You must keep the drone visible to the naked eye throughout the flight. If you can no longer see it without binoculars or without the help of the camera, you are outside the limits of the Open category. This is not a symbolic rule — if you can’t see it, you can’t react to an approaching manned aircraft.
Airspace Priority
Your drone is always last in the hierarchy of airspace priorities. Piloted aircraft, helicopters, gliders, balloons — all have priority over you. If you see an aircraft, descend immediately and give way.
Distances to people
Airports and controlled areas
Never fly near an airport without authorization. Even if your drone seems small and harmless, a collision with an aircraft at cruising speed can be catastrophic. The CTRs (airport control areas) are clearly marked on the ROMATSA map.
Do not fly over critical infrastructure
Power plants, dams, refineries, military targets, prisons, courts, embassies — all are off limits. Unauthorized flight over them is not only a misdemeanor; may constitute a crime.
Special Situations: Cities, Night, Over Water, Commercial
Flight to Cities
The urban environment is the most complex from a regulatory standpoint. Buildings affect the calculation of the maximum altitude (120 m above the highest obstacle), population density can preclude the possibility of an A3 category, and many cities or neighborhoods are located within airport CTRs.
There is no general ban on flying into cities, but the requirements are stricter. Check the map for each specific location.
Night Flight
Flying at night is allowed in the Open category, but the drone must be equipped with distance-visible position lights. Most modern drones have built-in LED lights. If your drone doesn’t have one, add an LED strobe before night flight.
VLOS rules also apply at night — the drone must be visible to the naked eye, which in practice means the lights must be bright enough.
Flying above water
There are no specific restrictions for flying over water itself, but always check the map for protected areas (nature reserves, Danube delta, etc.). The Danube Delta has significant environmental protection restrictions.
Basically: a drop in water destroys your drone instantly if it is not waterproof. It flies above the water with enough margin and a comfortable battery.
Commercial flight
If you get paid for your drone flights — real estate photography, wedding shoots, industrial inspections, deliveries — you’re considered a commercial operator. The requirements are the same from the point of view of the operating category, but fiscal obligations are added (invoicing, registration as PFA or SRL).
What are the risks if you don’t follow the rules?
Flight in cities
We don’t like to end with “if you don’t do X, Y happens”, but it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into:
Infringement sanctions
According to Decision no. 912/2010 and Law no. 21/2020 (Romanian Air Code), unauthorized flights or unregistered drone flights are sanctioned by fines applied by the Romanian Police and/or AACR. Fines can be significant — check the AACR website for updated values, as they can change.
Drone Confiscation
Authorities can seize the drone as a means of committing the offense, especially for flights in restricted areas or near airports.
Civil liability
If your drone causes property or bodily damage, you are personally responsible for all costs if you do not have valid insurance. There is no legal ceiling — a serious accident can generate compensation claims of tens or hundreds of thousands of euros.
Criminal case
In serious cases — flying near piloted aircraft, incident with victims, flying over strategic objectives — the act may constitute a crime according to the Criminal Code.
Full checklist – save it to your phone
One time (at the beginning):
A few days before (for areas requiring authorization):
On the day of the flight:
At the place of flight:
Conclusion
The list seems long, but in reality most of it is done once: registration, pilot certificate and insurance (if applicable). Once solved, there are a few minutes of checking left before each flight — and it becomes a habit.
Pilots who follow the rules fly better. Not because the rules make them more technically savvy, but because they know exactly where they are, what they’re allowed to do, and can be fully present in the moment of flight — without the stress of being outside the law.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to register if my drone weighs less than 250g?
If the drone weighs less than 250g and has no camera or sensors capable of capturing personal data, registration is not mandatory. If it has a camera (as most modern mini-drones do), registration is mandatory even under 250g.
Can I fly the DJI Mini 5 Pro / Mini 4 Pro without a UAS pilot certificate?
DJI Mini 5 Pro and DJI Mini 4 Pro weigh under 249g and are C0/C1 rated. For A1 subcategory flight with these drones, the online A1/A3 certificate is recommended and may be mandatory depending on the flight scenario. Check the AACR website for the exact requirement for your model, as the C1 classification requires the A1/A3 certificate.
Can I fly non-commercial recreationally without doing anything?
No. The distinction between recreational and commercial does not remove the obligations of registration, certificate and compliance with geographical areas. These requirements apply whether you are flying for fun or money.
How much does it cost to register with AACR?
The registration fee is set by the AACR and is subject to change. Check the current value at aacr.ro.
How long does it take to get the A1/A3 certificate?
The online course and quiz can be completed in a few hours if you are prepared. The certificate is issued immediately after passing the test. There is no mandatory minimum study period — you can go through the material at your own pace.
Can I fly a drone in the park?
Depends on the park and locality. Some parks are in CTR zones or have additional local restrictions. Check the exact location on the ROMATSA map. Even if the area is free from an airspace perspective, the presence of people in the park may limit the subcategory in which you can fly.
What do I do if the drone enters a restricted area by itself due to broken geofencing?
If geofencing is working correctly, the drone should deny entry to restricted areas. If you accidentally enter, immediately land in the safest place available and exit the area as quickly as possible. Report the incident if applicable. Make sure your drone’s geofencing is always up to date.
Does the drone manufacturer’s insurance (ex: DJI Care Refresh) cover third party damage?
No. DJI Care Refresh and similar insurances cover your drone — repair, replacement in case of accidents. It does not cover damage caused to third parties (persons, vehicles, property). For these you need a separate civil liability insurance.
Where can I practice flying safely as a beginner?
Ideal: an open area, away from people, buildings and roads, without restrictions on the ROMATSA map. Vacant farmland, brownfields, or private land with the owner’s consent are good options. Avoid practicing directly in populated or crowded areas — the risk of incident is much higher.
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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