Europe
Moldova
CAA Moldova — Open/Specific/Certified categories
Moldova regulates drones through its own Civil Aviation Authority, with three categories (Open, Specific, Certified) that all require written CAA authorization, except for the smallest toy drones.
Toy drones (max weight 250 g, max range 50 m, max altitude 25 m) don't need CAA authorization; every other drone requires mandatory written authorization. Aircraft above 150 kg must comply with ICAO document 10019.
No separate standardized exam beyond CAA authorization appears on the official page consulted.
Mandatory for all unmanned aircraft, except the toy category.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Forbidden in controlled airspace, near airports and in restricted areas (military bases, strategic sites, administrative buildings). Depending on the type of operation or equipment, additional approvals may be needed from the Ministry of Defense, the Intelligence and Security Service, the Town Hall or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
Data verified against the official CAA Moldova guide page. Standard maximum altitude for the open category not explicitly stated in the text consulted.
Verify officially before flying
Source: Civil Aviation Authority of the Republic of Moldova
Last checked: 2026-09
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Here the threshold usually depends on the drone's weight or whether it has a camera: below a certain weight, often 250 g, many systems don't require registration for recreational use. Check the note above and the official source to see whether your specific drone falls under the requirement. For Moldova, the official reference remains Civil Aviation Authority of the Republic of Moldova. Toy drones (max weight 250 g, max range 50 m, max altitude 25 m) don't need CAA authorization; every other drone requires mandatory written authorization. Aircraft above 150 kg must comply with ICAO document 10019.
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 Civil Aviation Authority of the Republic of Moldova. No separate standardized exam beyond CAA authorization appears on the official page consulted.
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.