Can I fly a drone in Lithuania, and do I need to register?
It depends — you can fly a drone, but you often must register, and a breach costs far more than old sources claim. Flying is governed by the directly applicable EU Regulation 2019/947, open-category subcategories A1, A2 and A3. A drone with a camera or heavier than 250 g must have its operator registered (registration is handled by TKA), and the number is stuck on the aircraft. You may fly up to 120 m high, not over crowds, within visual line of sight and not in prohibited zones, which must be checked on the Oro navigacija map. The minimum age for a remote pilot is 16. The popular myth that "the fine is only €100–300" is out of date: since 2024, a general rules breach under Article 393 CAO costs €500–1,000, and €100–300 now covers only a registration breach.
📋 The rules
- A drone with a camera or heavier than 250 g must have its operator registered (TKA), the number stuck on the drone
- Flying is governed by EU Regulation 2019/947, open-category subcategories A1/A2/A3
- Maximum height — 120 m; flying over crowds in the open category is prohibited
- Minimum remote-pilot age — 16; the drone is kept within visual line of sight
- Prohibited and restricted zones must be checked on the Oro navigacija map (ans.lt)
🔓 Exceptions
- Registration is only unnecessary for drones lighter than 250 g without a camera or other sensor
- Flights over crowds, at high altitude or near airports require a separate permit or the certified category
- For a C0-marked or toy A1 drone the minimum-age rule does not apply when an adult supervises
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Since 2024 the fines are far higher than old sources repeat. Under Article 393 CAO, a general breach of drone use rules carries a fine of €500 to €1,000, on repeat up to €1,500. A flight in a prohibited, dangerous or border zone without the right — €400 to €800, and failure to register the operator or drone — €100 to €300. What people miss: the "€100–300, up to €500 on repeat" figure repeated online is out of date — since 2024 that only covers a registration breach, while a general breach costs more. The drone and controller can be confiscated, and in some cases confiscation is mandatory. On top of that, filming people or someone else's plot can bring liability for a privacy breach, so a single unlawful flight can "earn" several penalties at once.
📎 Official sources
- LTSA · unmanned aircraft (drones) →
- TKA · operator registration and exams →
- Oro navigacija · drone zones map →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I need to register a drone?
You must register as an operator if the drone weighs 250 g or more or carries a camera or other sensor that captures personal data. Registration is handled by TKA, and the number assigned is stuck on the drone; a drone under 250 g without a camera needs no registration.
What are the fines for an illegal flight?
Since 2024, a general breach of drone use rules under Article 393 CAO carries a €500–1,000 fine, and up to €1,500 on repeat. The old €100–300 figure repeated online now applies only to failing to register the operator or drone, so it can no longer be relied on.
What is the maximum flight height?
In the open category you may fly no higher than 120 metres and only within visual line of sight. Flying over crowds, near airports or over accident scenes is also prohibited, and before a flight you must check restricted zones on the map.
What is the minimum age to fly a drone?
The minimum age for a remote pilot is 16, and Lithuania did not lower this limit. An exception applies to very light C0-marked or toy A1 drones, and where a younger person flies under the supervision of someone at least 16.
Where can I fly a drone?
Flying is prohibited in no-fly and restricted zones, including near airports, military sites and the border, as well as over crowds. Before each flight the zones must be checked on the state Oro navigacija drone map, as flying in the wrong place is penalised separately.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
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