Drone Laws in Croatia

Last updated on April 26th, 2023 at 09:07 pm

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Republic of Croatia

Drone Regulator in Croatia: Croatian Civil Aviation Agency (CCAA)

EU Nations Drone Regulator and Regulations: European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)

For a full explanation of EASA regulations simplified, please read our explainer: The rules for drone flyers in the European Union (Europe Drone Laws Simplified)

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UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Croatia

The Croatian agency responsible for drone safety, CCAA, has provided several internet-accessible details on flying for fun or work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details go to the link above.

Flying and operating drones in Croatia are subject to European Union Regulation 2019/947. The Croatian Civil Aviation Agency (CCAA) supervises and implements the Regulation in Croatia. This reform aims to create a truly harmonized drone market in Europe with the highest level of safety. In practice, it means that once a drone Οperator has received authorization from its state of registry, they will be allowed to circulate in the European Union freely. According to the level of risk involved, this new legal framework will introduce three categories of drone operations: Open, Specific, and Certified.

Drone operations are to be conducted according to the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (as amended).

Are drones allowed in Croatia?

According to CCAA, drone use is allowed in Croatia, subject to CCAA and EASA regulations. Read on for more details.

Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Croatia:

Drone operators must register all drones in Croatia. Following registration, you must adhere to the following rules.

• Drones may fly up to 50 meters (170 feet) above ground or sea level in the Open category and up to 120 meters (400 feet) in the Specific category. (The CCAA may grant exemptions to operators of specific category drones.) 
• Direct visual contact with the drone is required, and the operating distance should not exceed 500 meters. 
• Avoid flying too close to residential areas or populated areas. 
• Maintain a safety buffer zone of one kilometer around residential areas. 
• Unless the owner/person consents, a safety distance of 500 meters from isolated buildings, people, vehicles, animals, and structures is required. 
• Avoid flying near airports and heliports. Stay a minimum of eight (8) kilometers away from airports and three (3) kilometers from heliports for safety. 
• At no time is it permissible to fly a drone at night. 
• There shall be no flying over, within, or near military installations, public utility installations, archaeological sites, or public or private facilities.

Open Category

Given the low level of risk, neither prior authorization by the competent authority nor a declaration by the drone operator is required. The drone’s total takeoff mass must be less than 25kg and be operated within a visual line of sight at a maximum altitude of 120m.

Specific Category

Considering the moderate level of risk involved, flights in this category require authorization before the operation. The permission is given considering the mitigation measures identified in an operational risk assessment, except in specific standard scenarios where an operator declaration is sufficient.

Certified Category

Given the inherent dangers, certification of the drone and a licensed remote pilot are required. If your drone can carry people, you fall under the Certified category!

EASA Summary of Drone Flight Operation Requirements

Note for foreign operators

The CCAA has provided a page in English titled I wish to fly a drone in Croatia, and I am not a Croatian citizen. I am here temporarily – what do I need to do?

Please note that if you want to gather aerial photography or videos of public places, you might be required to obtain permission from State geodetic authorities: https://dgu.gov.hr/kontakti/80. You will see from the comments below that they have been unwilling to provide such approval to foreign hobbyists or tourists. Go to the page linked above for more detailed information.

EU Residents

You must register as a UAS operator in your permanent residence country, and your registration is valid in Croatia!

You must train and pass the remote pilot exam in any of the EU member states, and your remote pilot proof or certificate is valid in Croatia!

Download and install the AMC Portal Mobile application and see where you are allowed and not allowed to fly. Contact Air traffic control to see if you might be required to get authorization for my flights: https://amc-en.crocontrol.hr/Contact.

If you intend to take aerial photos and videos, you might be required to obtain permission from State geodetic authorities: https://dgu.gov.hr/kontakti/80. 

Pay attention to weather conditions and fly according to the drone manufacturer’s instructions
https://met.crocontrol.hr/web/guest/opmet-croatia
https://meteo.hr/

Operator Registration (Non-EU Residents)

• If you are coming from a non-EU country and this is the first time you will fly your drone in an EU country, you MUST register as an Operator.
• Upon registration, you will receive a unique Operator Registration number which you MUST attach to your drone. If you have several drones, the same number must be attached to them.
• You are not allowed to fly in NO FLY ZONES, and you must keep a minimum of 8km distance from airports/heliports.
• You must not register again if you have already conducted operations in another EU country before going to Croatia. You always register to the first non-EU country you have conducted flights.

Remote Pilot Certificate (Non-EU Residents)

• If you want to fly your drone in Croatia and live in a non-EU country, you must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate from an EU country.
• You can get the A1/A3 Certificate by registering with the online Remote Pilot School.
• The online training and exam are required for those who want to fly a drone in the ‘Open’ category in subcategories A1/A3.
• The pass mark is 75%, and you have three attempts to pass.
• Once you pass your exam, you will receive your remote pilot certificate. Its validity will be five years.
• You must have your Remote Pilot Certificate when you plan drone operations in Croatia and present it when the authorities ask.

How to register as a drone pilot or operator in Croatia?

According to European Regulation (EU) 2019/947, registration is mandatory for UAS operators (not for UAS themselves).

The UAS Pilot, also known as the Remote Pilot (RP), is the person physically behind the UAS flight controls. They are fully responsible for the safety of the flight throughout operations.

The UAS Operator is the person or company who oversees operations and gives flight instructions. This person or legal entity bears all responsibility for the operations of the drone (s) on their behalf. Very often, in the OPEN category and as individuals, the Pilot and the Operator are the same person.

Who should register?

As part of the OPEN category, registration is compulsory for operators:

• UAS that has a mass of 250 g or more; 
• UAS that has a mass of less than 250 g but:
  • can operate at speeds greater than 90km / h 
  • are equipped with a camera or a microphone, if these UAS are NOT toys * 

* A UAS is a toy when a manufacturer intends it for children under 14 and meets the minimum safety criteria required to be so named. Compliance with these standards naturally limits the capabilities of the UAS (size, weight, non-dangerous spare parts, no powerful motor, etc.): see Directive 2009/48 / EC of 18 June 2009 on the safety of toys

Under the SPECIFIC category, registration is compulsory for all operators.

Natural persons can only register in the country where they reside.

Legal persons must register in the country where their principal place of business is located.

Registration can only be done in one Member State at a time.

How do you register in Croatia for drone operations?

The operator registration procedure begins at the CCAA website drone registration page.

This UAS operator registration number is valid for one year and must be renewed periodically following the same procedure. The operator always uses the same number unless the latter is permanently deregistered from the register.

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Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Croatia

Not for commercial use. 

Not operated above industrial areas or densely populated areas. 

You must: Comply with the national and EASA regulations. 

You cannot operate in clouds or above crowds, industrial sites, urban areas, or other restricted areas. 

Private insurance covering recreational drone activities is recommended.

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Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Croatia

You must be at least 18 years old to qualify. 

Each pilot must obtain a license and register their drone(s) with the appropriate authorities. You will be questioned about your drone and your personal and business information. 

Once obtained, you can fly above urban areas (up to 120 meters), but you must notify the police at least 24 hours before your flight. You must adhere to all other recreational drone use rules. 

Depending on the weight of your drone, you will require a different type of license (the heavier the drone, the more detailed the test):

• A license is required for drones weighing less than 1.5 kg. 1A 
• A license is required for drones weighing less than 7 kilograms. 1B 
• A license 2 is required for drones weighing less than 25 kg.

Each license has two parts:

• Theoretical instruction in an approved educational facility 
• A practical training session in the same facility requiring at least 15 flights outside of urban areas with a total flight time of at least 5 hours.

See general EASA rules above.

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What you must know about Croatia No Fly Zones or No Drone Zones

You need to know if you can operate your drone, under what limitations, whether authorizations are required, and how to get those authorizations.

We encourage you to read our explainer for more details on this topic here: Explainer – What You Must Know About No Fly Zones or No Drone Zones

Useful published information on flying drones in Croatia

• Where you are allowed to fly a drone in Croatia
• Register in Croatia as drone operator
• Online drone pilot training and tests in Croatia 
• Apply for an authorisation to fly in Croatia 

Here is a sample of what you might expect if you follow the drone laws and fly in Croatia…

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NOTE: Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), Small UAS, Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and drone are interchangeable terms unless specified. Model Aircraft, toy, remote-controlled, and RC aircraft may be covered by the same regulations unless specified.

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Traveling with a Drone?

Click here to read our Comprehensive Guide For Traveling With A Drone.

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