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Open category

The Open category is divided into three subcategories: A1, A2 and A3. Each has different requirements regarding safety and distance from people and buildings. You can review the requirements by Subcategory described below.

Subcategory A1 

Flying close to people but not over them (can also fly in subcategory A3)

This category includes drones with classes Others A1, C0 and C1 and has the following requirements:

Subcategory A1 (can also fly in subcategory A3)
Operational restrictions – No flight over assemblies of people;

– Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level.
Drone operator registration No, unless camera / sensor on board and a drone is not a toy.
Remote pilot competence Read carefully the user manual
Remote pilot minimum age 16*, no minimum age if drone is a toy

*Note: A State may lower the remote pilot minimum age to 12. In that case, the lowered age limit will apply only in that State.

Subcategory A1 (can also fly in subcategory A3)
Operational restrictions – No flight expected over uninvolved people (if it happens, overflight should be minimised);
 – No flight over assemblies of people;
 – Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level.
Drone operator registration Yes
Remote pilot competence – Read carefully the user manual
 – Obtain a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory by:
1. Completing the online training
2. Passing the online theoretical exam
Remote pilot minimum age 16*

*Note: A State may lower the remote pilot minimum age to 12. In that case, the lowered age limit will apply only in that State.

Privately built and drones placed on the market before 01/01/2024 (under 250 g)

Subcategory A1 (can also fly in subcategory A3)
Operational restrictions – May fly over uninvolved people (should be avoided when possible)

– No flight over assemblies of people
Drone operator registration No, unless camera / sensor on board and a drone is not a toy
Remote pilot competence No training required
Remote pilot minimum age No minimum age

Subcategory A2

Flying close to people

This Subcategory A2 includes drones with C2 classes

Subcategory A2 (can also fly in subcategory A3)
Operational restrictions – Must not overfly uninvolved people;
 – Maintain a horizontal distance of 30 m from uninvolved people (can be reduced to 5 m if the low-speed function is activated);
 – Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level.
Drone operator registration Yes
Remote pilot competence – Read carefully the user manual
 – Obtain a ’Remote pilot certificate of competency’ for A2 ‘open’ subcategory by:
1. Having a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory
2. Conducting and declare a practical self- training
3. Passing an additional theoretical exam at the NAA or proctored online
Remote pilot minimum age 16*

*Note: A State may lower the remote pilot minimum age to 12. In that case, the lowered age limit will apply only in that State.

Subcategory A3

Flying away from people and settlements

This Subcategory A3 includes drones with classes C3, C4 and Other A3 (as well as classes C0, C1 and Others A1, which can also fly in this subcategory and are described above under Subcategory A1) and have the following requirements:

Subcategory A3
Operational restrictions – Must not overfly uninvolved people;
– Maintain a horizontal distance of 150 m from uninvolved people and urban areas;
– Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level.
Drone operator registration Yes
Remote pilot competence – Read carefully the user manual
 – Obtain a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory by:
1. Completing the online training
2. Passing the online theoretical exam
Remote pilot minimum age 16*

*Note: A State may lower the remote pilot minimum age to 12. In that case, the lowered age limit will apply only in that State.

Subcategory A3
Operational restrictions – Must not overfly uninvolved people;
– Maintain a horizontal distance of 150 m from uninvolved people and urban areas;
– Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level. 
Drone operator registration Yes
Remote pilot competence – Read carefully the user manual
– Obtain a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory by:
1. Completing the online training
2. Passing the online theoretical exam
Remote pilot minimum age 16*

*Note: A State may lower the remote pilot minimum age to 12. In that case, the lowered age limit will apply only in that State.

Privately built and drones placed on the market before 01/01/2024 (under 25 kg)

Subcategory A3
Operational restrictions – Must not overfly uninvolved people;
 – Maintain a horizontal distance of 150 m from uninvolved people and urban areas;
 – Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level.
Drone operator registration Yes
Remote pilot competence – Read carefully the user manual
– Obtain a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory by:
1. Completing the online training
2. Passing the online theoretical exam
Remote pilot minimum age 16*

*Note: A State may lower the remote pilot minimum age to 12. In that case, the lowered age limit will apply only in that State.

Summarized information with all subcategories