Europe
Hungary
EASA (EU) Regulation — implemented by Közlekedési Hatóság
Hungary applies the EASA standard. Registration is mandatory before the first flight, with fixed fees confirmed by the Hungarian transport authority.
Operator registration 2,000 HUF, aircraft registration 2,000 HUF/unit, certificate 4,090 HUF; payment via e-Papír/Ügyfélkapu or in person.
A1/A3 certificate required per the EASA standard.
Mandatory for drones ≥250 g or commercial use: minimum coverage 3-5 million HUF for drones under 20 kg.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: A 300 m buffer around designated critical infrastructure, set by Government Decree 33/2025 on emergency measures for UAS protection, in force during Hungary's declared state of emergency (the infrastructure's own operator is exempt). Permits for populated areas are handled by the Ministry of Defence's State Aviation Authority (HM ÁLF, not Közlekedési Hatóság): minimum 30 days' notice (5 working days for simplified cases), 45-60 days recommended.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
The 300m buffer stems from an emergency decree tied to Hungary's declared state of emergency (33/2025): it could change if the state of emergency is lifted. Permits for populated areas are handled by a different authority (Ministry of Defence) than the registration one: check ket.hm.gov.hu close to your travel date.
Verify officially before flying
Source: Közlekedési Hatóság (Hungarian Transport Authority)
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 Hungary, the official reference remains Közlekedési Hatóság (Hungarian Transport Authority). Operator registration 2,000 HUF, aircraft registration 2,000 HUF/unit, certificate 4,090 HUF; payment via e-Papír/Ügyfélkapu or in person.
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 Közlekedési Hatóság (Hungarian Transport Authority). A1/A3 certificate required per the EASA standard.
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.