Can I fly a drone without registration?
It depends: you need operator registration and airspace clearance. Greece applies the EU rules (Reg. 2019/947), with the HCAA (Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority) as the competent body. The operator (not each drone) must be registered as a UAS operator and display the code on the drone; registration in another EASA state is valid in Greece. In the open category (OPEN), max altitude 120 m, within visual line of sight, with subcategories A1/A2/A3 by weight and proximity to people. Drones of 4 kg and above need third-party liability insurance. Use the DAGR (Drone Aware Greece) platform to check airspace. Banned near airports, military installations and over archaeological sites (Acropolis, Delphi, Knossos) without a special permit.
📋 The rules
- Register the operator with HCAA; code on the drone
- Open category: max altitude 120 m, within visual line of sight
- Subcategories A1/A2/A3 by weight/distance
- Insurance for drones 4 kg and above
- Check airspace via DAGR
🔓 Exceptions
- Operator registration in another EASA state: valid in Greece
- Military installations: absolute ban (arrests have occurred)
- Archaeological sites: only with a special permit
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Flying without registration, without the required conditions or in banned zones brings administrative fines and, near military or sensitive installations, criminal prosecution (arrests have occurred near military sites, e.g. Souda, Alexandroupolis). Equipment can be confiscated. Filming people without grounds can breach GDPR and privacy. Before flying: register as an operator with HCAA, put your code on the drone, check airspace on DAGR, avoid airports, military installations and archaeological sites, and fly within visual line of sight, up to 120 m. For drones 4 kg and above, get insurance.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Do I need to register to fly a drone?
Yes, as an operator. Greece applies the EU rules with the HCAA as the competent body. The operator must register and display the code on the drone. Registration you've done in another EASA state is valid in Greece, with no new registration.
How high can I fly?
In the open category, the maximum altitude is 120 metres above ground, within visual line of sight. Subcategories A1, A2 and A3 set the distances from people by the drone's weight. Above these limits, special approvals are needed.
Where is flying banned?
It's banned near airports, over or near military installations (an absolute ban, with arrest risk) and over archaeological sites such as the Acropolis, Delphi or Knossos without a special permit. Always check the zones on the DAGR platform before flying.
Do I need drone insurance?
Yes, in some cases. Drones of 4 kg and above need third-party liability insurance. For lighter ones it's also recommended. Insurance covers damage to third parties in case of an accident during the flight.
What is the DAGR platform?
DAGR (Drone Aware Greece) is the official platform where you check and, where needed, get clearance for the airspace before flying. In controlled or restricted zones, flight notification may be required. It's the key tool for safe and lawful flying.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “fly drone greece hcaa registration”
- “drone open category 120 m”
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- “drone archaeological sites banned”
- “drone insurance 4 kg”
- “drone military installations”