Europe
Serbia
CAD Serbia — alignment with the EU underway, individual permit for foreigners
Serbia does not require drone registration from foreign operators, but imposes a written, case-by-case flight authorization, to be requested well ahead of arrival.
Registration is not required for foreign operators, but a written flight authorization application to uas@cad.gov.rs (form + copy of ID) is mandatory, to be sent at least 25 days in advance.
Foreign certificates (including EASA A1/A3/A2) are not recognized: a local exam may be required.
Mandatory third-party liability insurance regardless of the drone's weight.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Numerous restricted zones (e.g. 'LY R8 Beograd', 'LY R10 Uvac'), listed in the AIP on smatsa.rs; an additional Ministry of Defence permit (gt.ckkt@vs.rs) is required for photo/video filming.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
Maximum altitude and full details of restricted zones not confirmed by a direct official source in this research: the email authorization procedure is, however, confirmed by the official CAD FAQ.
Verify officially before flying
Source: CAD — Direktorat Civilnog Vazduhoplovstva Republike Srbije (Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia)
Last checked: 2026-09
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Even without a formal requirement, it's still worth keeping a note of the drone's details (serial number, owner) somewhere accessible: proving ownership and responsibility is useful in case of an inspection or incident, regardless of what the law requires. For Serbia, the official reference remains CAD — Direktorat Civilnog Vazduhoplovstva Republike Srbije (Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia). Registration is not required for foreign operators, but a written flight authorization application to uas@cad.gov.rs (form + copy of ID) is mandatory, to be sent at least 25 days in advance.
How this usually works
In most systems, the pilot license (or "certificate") is a theory exam, often entirely online and free, covering the basics: airspace, safety distances, privacy. It's nothing like a driving license, but it's still a legal requirement. Most systems have more than one level: an entry-level exam for flights further from people and built-up areas, and a more thorough one if you want to fly closer. The certificate is usually valid for a few years before it needs renewing. The exam and certificate are handled by CAD — Direktorat Civilnog Vazduhoplovstva Republike Srbije (Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia). Foreign certificates (including EASA A1/A3/A2) are not recognized: a local exam may be required.
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.