Can I fly a drone?
Yes — but almost any drone with a camera has to be registered. Registration is required of every operator of a drone with a take-off mass over 250 g — and of any drone fitted with a sensor capable of capturing personal data, which in practice means any camera. The only drone that needs no registration is one under 250 g without a camera. The register is kept by the Transport Authority; it issues a UAS operator registration number, which must be affixed visibly to the drone. In the open category you must keep the drone in direct visual line of sight (VLOS) at all times and may not fly higher than 120 metres above ground. Always check the geographical zone before take-off — airports, protected areas and military sites carry separate bans.
📋 The rules
- Registration: a drone over 250 g or with a camera
- No registration only: under 250 g and no camera
- The registration number must be affixed visibly to the drone
- Open category: constant visual line of sight (VLOS)
- Maximum height: 120 metres above ground
🔓 Exceptions
- The register is kept by the Transport Authority; it can be done online
- Subcategories A1/A3 require online training and a test
- Airports, protected areas and military sites carry their own bans
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The penalty schedule for unmanned aviation bites: an individual faces up to €5,000, a company up to €20,000. The amount turns on the seriousness of the breach — flying unregistered, above 120 metres, out of sight or in restricted airspace are all treated strictly. On top of that sits data protection: a camera drone over someone else's land makes you a controller under GDPR, so proceedings before the data protection authority are possible too. Always check the zone you are in before you take off.
📎 Official sources
- Transport Authority · UAS operator registration →
- EASA · Civil drones in the EU →
- Office for Personal Data Protection of the Slovak Republic →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I have to register my drone?
Yes, if its take-off mass exceeds 250 g, or if it carries a camera or any other sensor capable of capturing personal data. Only a drone under 250 g with no camera is exempt — which in practice covers almost no ordinary model on sale.
How high can I fly?
No more than 120 metres above ground, and that applies across every subcategory of the open category. You must also keep the drone in direct visual line of sight at all times — flying "by the camera", beyond sight, falls outside the open category.
Where do I register?
With the Transport Authority; it can also be done through the national e-government portal. You receive a unique UAS operator registration number, which must be affixed visibly to the drone — registering without labelling it is not enough.
What is the fine?
Up to €5,000 for an individual and up to €20,000 for a company. The amount depends on the seriousness of the breach — flying unregistered, above 120 metres, out of sight or in restricted airspace are all judged strictly under the penalty schedule.
What if I film over someone else's land?
A camera drone over another person's land makes you a controller under GDPR, with all the duties that entails. Beyond the aviation fine you may face proceedings before the data protection authority, and a civil claim from the neighbour.
🔎 Common searches
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