Can I fly a drone without a permit?
It depends: without registration and training, only the lightest cameraless drones. Poland applies EU rules. If a drone weighs 250 g or more or has a camera (a sensor collecting personal data), you must register for free as an operator at drony.gov.pl and complete online training and an exam (40 questions, 75% pass mark). Most everyday flights fall into the open category (subcategories A1, A2, A3), where you fly within visual line of sight, up to 120 m above ground, with a drone up to 25 kg. You put your operator number on the drone. No-fly zones apply (airports, military sites, parts of cities) — check them before take-off in an app. Drones over 250 g usually also need third-party liability insurance.
📋 The rules
- EU rules apply; the Civil Aviation Authority oversees
- Drone 250 g or more or with a camera: register at drony.gov.pl
- Required online training and exam (40 questions, 75%)
- Open category: visual line of sight, up to 120 m, drone up to 25 kg
- Respect no-fly zones (airports, military, cities)
🔓 Exceptions
- Drone under 250 g without a camera: no registration or exam (category A1)
- Subcategories A2/A3 and BVLOS flights: extra requirements and certificates
- FPV flights: from 2026 easements up to 50 m above ground (CAA exemption)
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Flying without the required operator registration, without the exam, in a no-fly zone or breaching open-category rules risks an administrative penalty, and in more serious cases criminal liability; the drone may also be seized. Invading privacy by recording people without a basis can entail liability under GDPR and personal-rights protection. Before flying: register and pass the exam (if required), put your operator number on the drone, check zones in an app, fly within line of sight up to 120 m, away from people and crowds. Remember liability insurance for heavier drones.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Do I need a permit for a drone?
Not always, but for a drone weighing 250 g or more or with a camera you must register as an operator at drony.gov.pl and pass an online exam. Registration is free. The lightest drones under 250 g without a camera can be flown in category A1 without registration or an exam.
How do I register a drone?
You register not the drone itself but yourself as an operator — free of charge, in the system at drony.gov.pl. Then you complete online training and pass a test (40 questions, 75% pass mark). You put the operator number you receive on the drone. The whole procedure is free and online.
How high can I fly a drone?
In the open category, a maximum of 120 metres above ground level, within the visual line of sight of the pilot or observer, with a drone up to 25 kg. These rules cover most everyday recreational flights. Higher or more distant flights require other categories and permits.
Where am I not allowed to fly a drone?
In no-fly zones: near airports, over military sites and in designated zones over cities and sensitive places. You check the zones in an app before take-off. You must also fly away from people and crowds, in line with your flight subcategory.
Do I need drone insurance?
For drones weighing 250 g or more, third-party liability insurance is usually required. Regardless of the obligation, insurance protects against the cost of damage to people or property. Check the current requirements on the Civil Aviation Authority website before flying.
🔎 Common searches
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