Civil Drones in Poland – FAQ

Do I need a licence for a drone?

In everyday language, people often refer to a “drone licence”, but formally it is more accurate to speak of UAS pilot competencies or drone pilot authorisations. In the simplest cases, these are A1/A3 competencies obtained after online training and an online examination. For more demanding flights, A2 competencies, qualifications for STS scenarios or authorisation for an operation in the specific category may be required. The Polish Civil Aviation Authority indicates that the open category covers low-risk operations and is divided into subcategories A1, A2 and A3.

When is A1/A3 sufficient?

A1/A3 is sufficient for many basic flights in the open category, especially with class C1 drones in A1 and with class C3/C4 drones or classless drones above 250 g operated in A3. A1/A3 allows flights to be conducted in accordance with the limitations of the open category, including, among other things, a maximum altitude of 120 m, visual line of sight and no flights over assemblies of people. The Polish Civil Aviation Authority confirms that in the open category, among other requirements, the 120 m limit and VLOS requirement apply.

Can a 250–900 g drone be flown only with A1/A3?

Yes, if the drone has a C1 class marking, it may generally be flown in subcategory A1 based on A1/A3 competencies. A2 is not required then, provided that the flight actually falls within A1. EASA indicates that class C1 drones are intended for operations in A1, and that the pilot should complete A1/A3 online training and examination.

Is A2 required for a drone below 900 g?

No, the mere fact that a drone weighs more than 250 g and less than 900 g does not automatically mean that A2 is required. A2 is typically associated with flying class C2 drones closer to uninvolved persons. For a class C1 drone, A1/A3 competencies are sufficient, provided that the flight takes place in A1 and meets the other requirements of the open category. EASA distinguishes between class C1 used in A1 and class C2 used in A2.

What are the restrictions when flying a C1 drone with A1/A3?

A class C1 drone may be flown in A1, but this does not mean full freedom. Flights over uninvolved persons should not be planned, and if such an overflight occurs accidentally, it should be reduced as much as possible. Flights over assemblies of people are prohibited. The 120 m limit, VLOS requirement, obligation to comply with geographical zones and obligation to report the flight in the manner required by PANSA still apply. The Polish Civil Aviation Authority identifies these rules as basic conditions of the open category.

What is the difference between A1, A2 and A3?

A1 permits flights closest to uninvolved persons, but not over assemblies of people and not planned overflights of uninvolved persons when using a C1 drone. A2 concerns flights close to people, mainly with class C2 drones, while maintaining specified distances. A3 means flights far from people and, in principle, far from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas. EASA and the Polish Civil Aviation Authority describe the open category as a low-risk category divided precisely into A1, A2 and A3.

Can a drone without a C class be flown in A1?

From 1 January 2024, C0–C4 class markings have been of fundamental importance in the open category. A drone without a C class may generally be used in A1 only if it weighs less than 250 g. If a drone without a class weighs more than 250 g, in practice it will most often fall within subcategory A3, i.e. flights far from people and specified areas. The Polish Civil Aviation Authority indicates that drones without an assigned class above 250 g may be used in A3 within the open category.

Does a drone have to be registered in Poland?

As a rule, it is not the drone itself that is registered, but the drone operator. The operator is the person or entity responsible for operating the UAS. After registration, the operator receives an operator number, which should be placed on the drone. In practice, registration will be required in many cases, especially where the drone has a camera or weighs at least 250 g. The operator and the pilot may be different persons.

What is the difference between a drone operator and a drone pilot?

The operator is responsible for organising the operation and ensuring its compliance with the regulations. It may be a natural person, company, foundation, public institution or another entity. The pilot is the person who actually controls the drone or supervises the flight. For amateurs, the operator and pilot are often the same person. In a company, the operator may be the company, while the pilot may be an employee or contractor.

Does a commercial flight require different authorisations than a recreational flight?

Not always. The current regulations are not primarily based on a recreational/commercial distinction, but on the level of operational risk. The same drone and the same type of flight may require the same competencies regardless of whether the video material is used privately or in business activity. What matters includes the drone’s mass and class, location, presence of people, altitude, VLOS/BVLOS and geographical zones. EASA describes the European system as based on risk categories: open, specific and certified.

When is A2 required?

A2 is required when the pilot wants to conduct operations in subcategory A2, i.e. closer to uninvolved persons, most often using a class C2 drone. In practice, A2 is useful for more advanced users who fly in urban or semi-urban environments, but still within the open category. A2 alone does not, however, allow BVLOS flights, flights over assemblies of people or the disregard of geographical zones.

When does a flight move from the open category to the specific category?

Operations move to the specific category when they go beyond the limitations of the open category. Typical examples include BVLOS flights, flights above 120 m, flights with drones heavier than 25 kg, operations with greater ground or air risk, dropping materials or flights that do not fall within subcategories A1, A2 or A3. EASA identifies BVLOS, drones above 25 kg and flights above 120 m as examples of operations belonging to the specific category.

What is the specific category?

The specific category covers medium-risk operations. It requires more preparation than the open category. The operator may operate on the basis of a standard scenario, STS, operational authorisation, PDRA/SORA or an LUC certificate, depending on the type of operation. In this category, what matters is not only the pilot and their competencies, but also operational documentation, procedures, risk assessment and safety measures.

What are STS-01 and STS-02 scenarios?

STS-01 is a standard scenario for VLOS operations over a controlled ground area using a class C5 drone. STS-02 concerns BVLOS operations with airspace observers using a class C6 drone. STS scenarios are part of the specific category and allow certain operations to be performed after predefined conditions are met. EASA describes STS as predefined operational scenarios for the specific category.

What is the difference between VLOS and BVLOS?

VLOS means a flight within the pilot’s visual line of sight. The pilot must see the drone and be able to assess its position and surroundings without using optical devices other than corrective glasses. BVLOS means a flight beyond visual line of sight. BVLOS flights generally do not fall within the open category and require the specific category, as well as appropriate documentation, procedures and approvals. The Polish Civil Aviation Authority indicates VLOS as one of the basic rules of the open category.

Is automatic flight the same as autonomous flight?

No. Automatic flight means that the drone performs a previously programmed route or task, but the pilot must still be able to supervise and take control. Autonomous flight means a higher level of system independence, in which the drone makes decisions without ongoing pilot intervention. In practice, autonomous flights are much more demanding from a regulatory perspective and should not be equated with simply planning a route in an application.

Does every flight have to be reported in DroneTower?

As a rule, before a flight the pilot should check airspace conditions and submit a report in accordance with PANSA requirements. DroneTower is the official tool used, among other things, to check the possibility of performing a flight at a given location, perform check-in and communicate in controlled airspace. PANSA indicates that DroneTower makes it possible to check before a flight whether flying is possible at a selected location in Poland.

Is check-in in DroneTower consent to fly?

Not always. Check-in in DroneTower is an element of flight reporting and coordination, but it does not replace other required consents, authorisations or conditions. If the flight requires authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority, consent from the manager of a zone, operation in the specific category or compliance with specific airspace conditions, the check-in alone does not legalise the operation. DroneTower helps check conditions and report the flight, but it does not exempt the operator from responsibility for ensuring the operation’s compliance with the regulations.

Can a drone be flown in a city in Poland?

Yes, provided that the requirements of the appropriate category, drone class, geographical zone and safety rules are met. In the city, uninvolved persons, assemblies of people, buildings, privacy, airspace restrictions and the ability to maintain VLOS are particularly important. A class C1 drone in A1 provides more flexibility than an A3 drone, but it still does not allow planned flights over uninvolved persons or flights over assemblies of people. The Polish Civil Aviation Authority describes A1 as flights over people, but not over assemblies of people, and A3 as flights far from people.

Can a drone be flown over people in Poland?

It depends on the drone class and subcategory. Class C0 drones may be used for the lowest-risk flights. With a class C1 drone in A1, overflights of uninvolved persons should not be planned, and any unintended overflight should be limited to a minimum. Flights over assemblies of people are prohibited in the open category. EASA emphasises that the open category prohibits flights over assemblies of people.

Can a drone be flown over private property in Poland?

Polish aviation law alone does not automatically grant consent to infringe privacy, personal rights or personal data protection. Even if a flight is permissible from the perspective of the open category, the operator should take into account regulations concerning privacy, GDPR, image rights, monitoring and possible nuisance. Recording people, gardens, windows, licence plates or other data enabling identification of natural persons may be particularly problematic.

Can a drone be flown at night in Poland?

Yes, but additional requirements must be met. Night flight is possible in the open category, but the drone should be equipped with appropriate lighting, including a green flashing light, to facilitate its visibility and identification. The remaining rules still apply: VLOS, altitude limit, prohibition on flights over assemblies of people, geographical zones and flight reporting.

Can a drone be flown above 120m in Poland?

In the open category, the general rule is a limit of 120 m from the closest point of the surface of the earth. There are specific exceptions concerning flights around obstacles, but as a rule, exceeding 120 m means leaving the open category and may require the specific category. The Polish Civil Aviation Authority indicates the 120 m limit as one of the basic rules of the open category.

Can a drone above 25 kg be flown in the open category?

No. The open category covers drones with a take-off mass below 25 kg. Heavier drones generally require analysis in the specific category or, at the highest level of risk, in the certified category. The Polish Civil Aviation Authority indicates the 25 kg limit as the boundary of the open category.

What is the difference between classes C0, C1, C2, C3 and C4?

Classes C0–C4 define the technical characteristics of a drone, including its mass, equipment, technical limitations and operational purpose. In simplified terms: C0 covers the lightest drones, C1 covers drones up to 900 g used in A1, C2 covers drones up to 4 kg used, among other things, in A2, while C3/C4 concern drones up to 25 kg used essentially in A3. EASA describes the link between classes C0–C4 and subcategories A1, A2 and A3 in the open category.

What is the difference between classes C5 and C6?

Classes C5 and C6 are related to the specific category and standard scenarios. C5 is linked to STS-01, while C6 is linked to STS-02. These are not classes typically intended for simple recreational flights in the open category.

Does a DJI Mini below 250 g require authorisations?

A drone below 250 g may benefit from simplified rules, but this does not always mean that there are no obligations. If the drone has a camera, the operator may be subject to a registration obligation. The pilot should know the user manual, comply with geographical zones, safety rules, privacy rules and flight reporting requirements. EASA indicates that even with lighter drones, operator registration, the camera and open-category rules may still be relevant.

Is third-party liability insurance required for a drone?

Yes. In Poland, since 13 November 2025, operators of drones with a mass from 250 g to 20 kg have been required to hold drone operator third-party liability insurance. Failure to have a policy may result in a fine of up to PLN 4,000. The Financial Ombudsman indicates that the obligation applies to users of drones with a mass from 250 g to 20 kg.

Does third-party liability insurance apply to the pilot or the operator?

Mandatory third-party liability insurance is insurance of the drone operator, not of a specific pilot as such. If a company is the operator, the policy should cover the liability of that company as the UAS operator. In practice, it is worth ensuring that the scope of the policy corresponds to the actual operations, especially for commercial, inspection, urban or employee/subcontractor flights.

Is recording with a drone subject to GDPR?

It may be, if the recording makes it possible to identify natural persons, for example by face, silhouette, licence plate, place of residence or other contextual data. In professional activity, the operator should assess the legal basis for processing, the scope of recording, the retention period, access to recordings and information obligations. The mere fact that the image comes from a drone does not exclude the application of GDPR.

Can a company send an employee to fly a drone?

Yes, but the company, as the operator, should ensure that the employee has the appropriate pilot competencies, knows the procedures, uses the appropriate drone, performs the flight in the correct category and makes the required notifications. In professional activity, it is advisable to have an internal UAS operations procedure, a pre-flight checklist, rules for archiving recordings, emergency procedures and rules on responsibility for equipment and data.

What documents are worth having during an inspection?

In practice, it is worth having access to: confirmation of operator registration, the operator number placed on the drone, confirmation of A1/A3, A2 or STS pilot competencies, the drone manual, confirmation of flight notification, documents relating to the zone, third-party liability insurance policy and — in the specific category — operational documentation, authorisation, STS declaration, risk assessment or operator procedures.

Does every flight require a mission plan?

For simple recreational flights, a mission plan may take the form of a basic checklist: place, time, altitude, zone, weather, battery, people in the area, DroneTower and emergency procedure. For professional flights, the mission plan should be more detailed and include, among other things, the route, operation category, risk assessment, location of uninvolved persons, emergency procedures, data protection, liability and required consents.

What are the consequences of flying without the required authorisations or notifications in Poland?

Consequences may include administrative, civil and, in some situations, criminal liability. There is also the risk of liability for damage caused to third parties, loss of insurance cover, infringement of privacy, disruption of air traffic or violation of a restricted zone. In business activity, an additional risk is the organisational liability of the operator and the reputational consequences of an incident.

Where should I start if I want to fly a drone legally?

The safest approach is to start by determining the class and mass of the drone, then define the location and type of planned flights, register as an operator, complete A1/A3 training and examination, mark the drone with the operator number, check geographical zones, take out the required third-party liability insurance and perform check-in in DroneTower before a specific operation. For more complex flights, A2, STS or the specific category should be considered. DroneTower and drony.gov.pl are the basic digital tools supporting UAS flight reporting and planning in Poland.