Europe
Kosovo
UAS Regulation 01/2017 — Civil Aviation Authority (AAC)
Kosovo regulates drones under AAC's UAS Regulation 01/2017. Besides registering the drone, every single flight requires a request for permission and civilian-military coordination submitted at least 72 hours in advance: this isn't free flying like most of Europe — it needs to be planned ahead.
50 m is the limit for Category 1 (operating weight under 1 kg, the most common for recreational drones): maximum speed 30 m/s, maximum range 100 m. Higher weight categories go up to 150 m (1-5 kg) or 500 m (5-20 kg), with different requirements.
Registration with the AAC is mandatory (valid 4 years, €10 fee for Category 1 under 1 kg); drones already registered in another country don't need to re-register in Kosovo, but remain subject to the same operating conditions. Every flight still requires a request for authorization to the Air Navigation Services Agency (ANSA) at least 72 hours in advance.
The AAC knowledge test (16+ years old, medical fitness) is required only for Category 3 and 4 (drones from 5 to 150 kg); not needed for typical recreational drones under 5 kg.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Forbidden within 1 km of the Kosovo border, 2 km of Pristina International Airport and other approved aerodromes, 1 km of NATO bases (Camp Film City), and 2 km of other military bases or restricted zones. During flight: at least 30 m from people/animals/objects, 150 m from gatherings of people, and always within visual line of sight (VLOS) at most 500 m from the pilot.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
Data verified against the consolidated text of Regulation 01/2017 (as amended by 01/2021) published on the AAC website, available in Albanian/Serbian/English.
Verify officially before flying
Source: AAC — Autoriteti i Aviacionit Civil (Civil Aviation Authority of Kosovo)
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 Kosovo, the official reference remains AAC — Autoriteti i Aviacionit Civil (Civil Aviation Authority of Kosovo). Registration with the AAC is mandatory (valid 4 years, €10 fee for Category 1 under 1 kg); drones already registered in another country don't need to re-register in Kosovo, but remain subject to the same operating conditions. Every flight still requires a request for authorization to the Air Navigation Services Agency (ANSA) at least 72 hours in advance.
How this usually works
Even where an exam isn't formally required, most aviation authorities still recommend a basic safety course: rules change often, and flying without the basics is a real risk even without a legal obligation. The exam and certificate are handled by AAC — Autoriteti i Aviacionit Civil (Civil Aviation Authority of Kosovo). The AAC knowledge test (16+ years old, medical fitness) is required only for Category 3 and 4 (drones from 5 to 150 kg); not needed for typical recreational drones under 5 kg.
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.