Can I fly a drone?
Yes, under the European rules. Bulgaria applies the EU (EASA) regulations, supervised by the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA). It is the operator who registers, not the drone itself. Registration is mandatory unless the drone is under 250 g and has no camera or other sensor capable of collecting personal data. You register online at drones.caa.bg, and it is valid across the whole EU — if you are already registered in another member state, you do not register again. For the open category you need the free A1/A3 online exam; for flying closer to people, the A2 exam, taken in person. Respect the no-fly zones — airports, military and critical sites — and data-protection rules when filming people.
📋 The rules
- Operator registration with the CAA — from 250 g, or if it has a camera
- Register at drones.caa.bg; it is valid across the EU
- A1/A3 online exam — free; A2 — for flying near people
- Drone under 250 g with no camera: no registration
- Respect no-fly zones and data-protection rules
🔓 Exceptions
- Toys under 250 g with no camera or sensor — no registration
- A registration from another EU state is recognised — do not duplicate it
- Airports, military and critical sites — flying is banned
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Flying unregistered, without the required competence, or in a no-fly zone is sanctioned by the CAA. Flying near an airport, over military sites or over critical infrastructure is especially serious and can bring not just a fine but criminal liability — endangering aviation is a crime. Filming identifiable people without a basis engages data-protection law and is a separate breach, sanctioned by the data-protection authority rather than the aviation regulator. The drone itself can be seized. And if your flight injures someone or damages property, you are also civilly liable — without insurance, you pay out of pocket.
📎 Official sources
- CAA Bulgaria · Unmanned aircraft systems →
- CAA Bulgaria · Operator registration (drones.caa.bg) →
- EASA · Travelling with drones →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I have to register my drone?
You register yourself as an operator, not the drone itself. Registration is mandatory if the drone is 250 g or more, or if it has a camera or other sensor collecting personal data. Under 250 g with no camera needs no registration — but the safe-flight rules still apply.
Where do I register?
Online with the Bulgarian CAA at drones.caa.bg. The registration number is valid across the whole EU — you do not re-register in each country you visit. If you are already a registered operator in another member state, that registration is recognised in Bulgaria.
Do I need an exam?
For the open A1/A3 category there is a free online exam that takes about an hour. Flying closer to people requires the A2 exam, taken in person and more demanding. Without the relevant competence the flight is an offence even with a registered drone.
Is a registration from another EU country recognised?
Yes. You register once — in your country of residence or main place of business — and it is valid in all EASA states, Bulgaria included. Duplicating it is unnecessary and not required.
Can I film with the drone?
For private use yes, but you may not capture and publish identifiable people without a basis. That is a data-protection matter, sanctioned separately by the data-protection authority — regardless of whether your drone is registered and the flight was otherwise lawful.
🔎 Common searches
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- “drone registration bulgaria”
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