Practical guide
How to fly a drone in Italy
Registration, certificates, licence and insurance: everything you need before your first flight, step by step.
4 things to do before flying
1. Operator registration on D-Flight
If your drone weighs 250 g or more, or has a camera even under that weight (except toys), you must register as an operator on D-Flight before flying — this applies even if you're a tourist visiting Italy. You'll get an operator number to display visibly on the drone.
2. Online A1/A3 certificate
For the Open category (which covers almost all recreational flying) you need at least the online A1/A3 pilot certificate: a free exam on D-Flight, based on the official manual. Without this certificate you can't legally fly, even with a small drone.
3. A2 certificate, if you want to fly closer to people
The A1/A3 certificate is enough to fly far from uninvolved people, or close to individual people with C0/C1 class drones without hovering over them. To get closer to uninvolved people you instead need the A2 certificate, which requires a more in-depth theory exam.
4. Insurance
Third-party liability insurance is strongly recommended for any flight, and becomes mandatory in several use cases under EU regulation thresholds. Check your specific situation before flying.
The Open category's subcategories
The EASA regulation in force across the whole EU (Italy included) splits recreational/Open flying into three subcategories, based on how close you get to people:
A1 — Flying over people
With C0 (under 250 g) or C1 class drones you can fly over individual uninvolved people, but not gatherings. The A1/A3 certificate is enough.
A2 — Close to people
With C2 class drones you can get closer to uninvolved people, respecting the minimum distances required. The A2 certificate is needed.
A3 — Far from people
The drone must be kept at a safe distance from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas. This is the most permissive subcategory on certification (the A1/A3 certificate is enough), but the strictest on distances.
Even with everything in order, you can't fly everywhere
Historic centers, airports, Rome/the Vatican and many protected areas are forbidden or restricted zones. Always check the official D-Flight map before every flight.
Informational content, not legal advice. Drone regulations change: always check D-Flight/ENAC before flying. Guide based on the EASA (EU) Regulation, implemented in Italy by ENAC.