Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Republic of Poland
Drone Regulator in Poland: Civil Aviation Authority Poland (CAA)
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)
UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Poland
The Polish agency responsible for drone safety, CAA, has provided several internet-accessible details on flying drones for fun or work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details, go to the links above.
Flying and operating drones in Poland are subject to European Union Regulation 2019/947. The Civil Aviation Authority Poland (CAA) supervises and implements the Regulation in Poland. 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 Poland?
Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Poland:
Drone operators must register all drones in Poland. 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 CAA 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 operate 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
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.
- If you have already conducted operations in another EU country before going to Poland, you must not register again. 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 Poland 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 tries 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 to perform drone operations in Poland and present it when the authorities ask.
How to register as a drone pilot or operator in Poland?
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 Poland for drone operations?
The operator registration procedure is available at the CAA Online Drone Registration link.
This UAS operator registration number is valid for one year and must be renewed periodically following the same procedure. The operator, therefore, always uses the same number unless the latter is permanently deregistered from the register.
Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Poland
See the general rules above.
Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Poland
To conduct commercial activities in Poland, you must notify and register with the CAAN. Additional requirements vary according to the nature of your intended operations.
If you are flying a drone for non-recreational or sporting purposes, you must adhere to certain rules as a UAV operator.
You should possess a “certificate of qualification of unmanned aerial vehicle operator (UAVO)” for non-recreational or sporting purposes, including a rating for performing VLOS operations.
If you are under 18, you must obtain your legal guardians’ consent before receiving a certificate of qualification. Additionally, you will be flying under the supervision of an adult. One of the requirements is that you have adequate third-party liability insurance.
If your UAV weighs more than 5 kg, you must also obtain the necessary aero-medical examinations.
Bear in mind that you should only fly with technically efficient equipment.
VLOS and FPV flights rules
a) During VLOS operations,
- Maintain a safe distance from aircraft, buildings, and open-air gatherings of people, as well as from persons, vehicles, and constructions that are not under your control.
- You or at least one observer should maintain unaided eye contact with the UAV to determine its location in the airspace and ensure a safe distance from other aircraft, obstacles, people, or animals.
b) in FPV operations:
- UAV with a maximum take-off weight of 2 kg; up to a height of no more than 50 meters above ground level.
- At a horizontal distance of no more than 200 meters from the operator.
- At a horizontal distance of no less than 100 meters from buildings in towns, cities, settlements, or gatherings of people in the open air.
What you must know about Poland 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 Poland
- Where you are allowed to fly a drone in Poland
- Register as drone operator in Poland
- Online drone pilot training and tests in Poland
- Apply for an authorisation to fly in Poland
Here is a sample of what you might expect if you follow the drone laws and fly in Poland…
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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