Europe
Bulgaria
EASA (EU) Regulation — implemented by GDCAA
Bulgaria applies the EASA standard. The registration threshold is also based on kinetic energy (80 Joules) in addition to privacy/data risk.
Mandatory if the drone can transfer over 80J of impact energy or poses privacy/security risks; online registration on drones.caa.bg.
Online training via the x-tesla.caa.bg platform.
Mandatory for drones >20kg; always mandatory for commercial use regardless of weight.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Forbidden over airports (5km), military sites, the Council of Ministers and the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, national parks without a permit, gatherings.
Verify officially before flying
Source: GDCAA — Civil Aviation Administration Bulgaria
Last checked: 2026-09
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Operator registration exists for accountability: if a drone causes an incident or enters a restricted zone, the authority needs to be able to trace it back to whoever was flying it. You usually get an identification number (operator ID) to physically attach to the drone, valid for every drone the same person owns. The cost is often minimal or free, and it applies to visiting tourists too, not just residents. For Bulgaria, the official reference remains GDCAA — Civil Aviation Administration Bulgaria. Mandatory if the drone can transfer over 80J of impact energy or poses privacy/security risks; online registration on drones.caa.bg.
How this usually works
Here the requirement depends on factors like the drone's weight, distance from people, or use case (recreational vs. commercial). The note above describes the most common case: if your situation is different, check the official source to see exactly which scenario applies to you before flying. The exam and certificate are handled by GDCAA — Civil Aviation Administration Bulgaria. Online training via the x-tesla.caa.bg platform.
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.