A1 vs A2 vs A3: EU Drone Categories Explained

Flying drones in the EU? Here’s what you need to know: The EU Open Category system divides drone operations into three subcategories – A1, A2, and A3 – based on risk, drone weight, and proximity to people. These rules, in place since 2021, ensure safe and legal operations across EU member states.

A1: Allows flying over people (not groups) under specific conditions. Ideal for lightweight drones and urban use.
A2: Permits flying near people with strict horizontal distance rules. Best for inspections or events in populated areas.
A3: Requires flying far from people and buildings. Suited for remote areas like farms or industrial sites.

General rules for all categories include:

Altitude limit: 394 ft (120 m)
Weight cap: 55 lbs (25 kg)
Visual line of sight (VLOS) required
Registration and remote ID mandatory

Quick Tip: Check your drone’s CE class (C0–C4) and your intended flying environment to select the right category. Training and certification vary by category, so ensure you meet the requirements before flying.

Everything about Drones in Open Category: A1, A2 & A3

A1, A2, and A3 Categories Overview

The EU’s Open category framework organizes drone operations into three subcategories, each designed to address varying levels of risk.

These categories are based on proximity to people and the nature of the activity. A1 permits flying over bystanders under specific conditions, A2 requires maintaining a safe horizontal distance from individuals, and A3 restricts flights to areas free of uninvolved people. This structure enables EASA to pre-assess risks and define clear operational boundaries for drone operators.

Factors like drone weight, CE class, pilot qualifications, and the surrounding environment determine which category applies. Now, let’s take a look at the rules that apply universally across all three subcategories.

Rules That Apply to All 3 Categories

No matter if you’re operating under A1, A2, or A3, there are some shared rules that create a consistent safety framework for all Open category drone operations.

Altitude Limits: Drones must stay below 394 feet (120 meters). The only exception is when flying within 164 feet (50 meters) of a structure taller than 394 feet, where you can go up to 164 feet above the structure.
Weight Restrictions: Drones in the Open category cannot weigh more than 55 pounds (25 kg).
Visual Line of Sight (VLOS): You must always keep the drone within your direct visual line of sight to monitor its position and flight path.
Daylight Operations: Flights are generally restricted to daylight hours. However, drones equipped with proper lighting may qualify for nighttime operations, though additional requirements often apply.

These baseline rules ensure a uniform level of safety, setting the stage for the more specific requirements tied to each category.

How EU Drone Categories Work

The regulatory framework, established under Regulation (EU) 2019/947, came into effect on January 1, 2021, standardizing drone rules across all EU member states.

CE class labels are key to determining which category a drone qualifies for. These labels, ranging from C0 to C4, indicate a drone’s technical capabilities and limitations. For instance:

A C0 drone (weighing less than 250 grams) is eligible for A1 operations.
A C1-marked drone (under 1.98 pounds or 900 grams) can also operate in A1, provided the pilot holds the necessary certification.

The framework categorizes operations based on risk, balancing operational flexibility with safety. Transition periods were introduced to help drone operators adapt to these new rules.

Drones without CE labels can still be used but face stricter conditions. For example:

Unmarked drones weighing less than 8.8 ounces (250 grams) qualify for A1 operations.
Those weighing between 8.8 ounces and 1.1 pounds (250–500 grams) are restricted to A3 operations.

With these foundational rules in place, we can now dive into the specific requirements for A1, A2, and A3 categories.

A1 Category: Flying Over People

The A1 category allows limited flights over people who are not involved in the operation but prohibits flying over groups. This makes it a practical choice for recreational pilots and professionals working in populated areas, as long as the drone’s classification-specific rules are followed.

A1 Requirements and Restrictions

The rules for A1 operations depend on whether you’re using a C0 or C1 classified drone, each with its own set of guidelines and pilot obligations.

C0 drones weigh less than 8.8 ounces (250 g). Operating these drones is straightforward – just read the user manual, and you’re good to go. No formal training or certification is required. These lightweight drones can fly over uninvolved people, but such flights should be kept to a minimum. Flying over groups, however, is strictly off-limits. Registration is only necessary if the drone has a camera or sensor and isn’t classified as a toy.

C1 drones weigh between 8.8 ounces and 1.98 pounds (250–900 g) and come with stricter requirements. To operate a C1 drone, pilots must complete online training and pass an exam to obtain a Proof of Completion certificate. Registration for the drone operator is mandatory. While intentional flights over uninvolved people are not allowed, accidental overflights must be kept brief.

Altitude restrictions apply across all drone operations, and starting January 1, 2024, drones in the open category must have remote identification systems. C1 drones, in particular, will need integrated remote ID and geofencing features.

The minimum age for A1 remote pilots is 16 years, though this doesn’t apply to C0 drones classified as toys or to privately built or legacy drones weighing under 8.8 ounces (250 g).

Drone Type	Weight Limit	Training Required	Registration	Overflight Permissions
C0	Under 8.8 oz (250 g)	User manual only	Only if equipped with camera/sensor	Allowed (minimize when possible)
C1	8.8 oz – 1.98 lbs (250–900 g)	Online training + exam	Mandatory	Prohibited (limit any accidental overflight)

When to Use A1 Category

The A1 category is a great fit for specific scenarios where limited overflight of individuals is permitted under clear conditions. It works well for urban recreational activities or professional tasks like real estate photography.

Here are some ideal uses for the A1 category:

Content creation: Perfect for capturing social media or personal project footage in populated areas, as long as groups are avoided.
Inspection tasks: Useful for inspecting infrastructure or commercial properties in urban settings, with C1 operators taking care to avoid intentional overflights.
Urban photography: Suitable for shooting in city parks or residential areas, provided overflight rules are followed.

However, A1 may not be the best choice for flights over large crowds, festivals, or other packed public spaces. In such cases, other categories like A2 or A3 might be more appropriate, as they account for the need for greater safe distances.

A2 Category: Flying Close to People

The A2 category allows drones to fly near uninvolved people, provided they maintain a specific horizontal distance. This category is tailored for drones classified as C2.

While A1 operations permit limited overflights of individuals, drones in the A2 category must never fly directly over uninvolved people. Instead, they adhere to strict horizontal distance rules, ensuring safety in areas where people are present.

Distance Rules and Low-Speed Mode

Under standard A2 guidelines, drones must stay at least 98 feet (30 meters) away from uninvolved people. However, when operating in low-speed mode, this distance can be reduced to 16 feet (5 meters).

Low-speed mode is a key safety feature. By limiting the drone’s velocity, it reduces the potential impact in case of an incident and allows for better reaction time. This mode also enhances control precision, which is especially useful when flying closer to people. Regardless of the mode being used, flying directly over uninvolved individuals is strictly forbidden, as the distance rules apply only to horizontal separation.

Here’s a quick summary of the distance requirements:

Operating Mode	Minimum Distance from People
Standard A2	98 feet (30 meters)
A2 with Low-Speed Mode	16 feet (5 meters)

When to Use A2 Category

The A2 category is ideal for situations requiring safe drone operations near people while maintaining horizontal separation. Here are some practical scenarios where A2 operations shine:

Commercial Inspections: Tasks like infrastructure assessments, building surveys, or equipment checks often call for drones to operate near structures while people are present. Low-speed mode ensures detailed footage collection without compromising safety for nearby pedestrians or workers.
Event Documentation: Capturing aerial footage of corporate events, outdoor festivals, or sports activities is possible without flying directly over participants. The horizontal distance rules ensure safety while delivering dynamic views.
Search and Rescue: In populated areas, drones in the A2 category can provide detailed aerial perspectives, aiding rescue efforts while keeping operations safe and effective.

However, in situations with dense crowds or areas where maintaining even a 16-foot (5-meter) separation is difficult, A3 category operations – with their stricter distance requirements – might be a better fit.

A3 Category: Flying Far from People

The A3 category is designed for drones – typically those classified as C3 and C4 – that operate in remote areas where staying far from people is practical. This category imposes stricter rules compared to A1 and A2, which allow for closer-range operations.

Unlike A1 and A2, A3 strictly requires flying in areas well away from populated zones.

Distance and Location Rules

Under A3 regulations, drones must maintain a horizontal distance of at least 492 feet (150 meters) from residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational areas. This is a significant increase compared to A2’s 98-foot (30-meter) requirement, emphasizing its focus on remote operations.

Avoid flying near:

Residential neighborhoods or housing developments
Commercial areas like shopping centers and business parks
Industrial sites, including factories and warehouses
Recreational spaces such as parks, beaches, and sports facilities

These strict distance requirements make A3 operations unsuitable for urban settings, where maintaining such separation from uninvolved people is difficult. Instead, A3 is ideal for specific remote-use scenarios where space and isolation are not an issue.

When to Use A3 Category

The A3 category is best suited for tasks in sparsely populated areas where there’s no need for close-range precision but where large-scale monitoring or data collection is required.

One common application is agricultural monitoring. Large farming operations benefit from drones capable of surveying vast areas without coming near residential zones. These drones can assist with crop monitoring, livestock tracking, and other precision farming techniques.

Another area where A3 excels is infrastructure inspections in remote locations. Whether it’s surveying power lines, monitoring pipelines, or inspecting telecommunications towers, these activities often take place in isolated settings where the required 492-foot (150-meter) separation is easy to maintain.

A3 is also well-suited for environmental research and surveying. Activities like wildlife monitoring, geological studies, or environmental impact assessments are typically conducted in undeveloped or protected areas, where the strict distance rules pose no operational challenges.

However, in areas with mixed land use or scattered residential development, the A3 category’s distance requirements can become a hurdle. In such cases, operators might need to opt for the A2 category, which offers more flexible distance rules, though it may require using smaller or less capable drones.

Training Requirements for Each Category

In the EU, drone training is based on risk levels – higher-risk operations require more in-depth preparation. The training programs for the A1, A2, and A3 categories are tailored to align with the specific risks involved in each type of operation.

Training Needed for A1, A2, and A3

For A1 operations, only a basic online theoretical module is required. This aligns with the safety measures already discussed.

A2 operations, on the other hand, demand more comprehensive training. This includes both theoretical and practical components, covering topics like airspace awareness, emergency procedures, and operating in low-speed mode.

A3 operations focus on the basics: fundamental safety principles and simple procedures. Operators must demonstrate an understanding of how to maintain safe distances from people and sensitive areas.

Current Training Requirements

New drone operations must adhere to standardized, risk-based training guidelines. Certificates issued have a set validity period, after which operators are required to complete refresher courses. For A2 operations, both theoretical knowledge and practical skills must be verified through assessments.

Training costs and durations differ across countries. While some national aviation authorities provide free training materials, more thorough programs may come with fees. It’s essential for operators to check with their local aviation authority for the most accurate and up-to-date details on training and certification.

Next, we’ll explore the registration and ID requirements for each category.

Registration and ID Requirements

The rules for registration and identification depend on the weight, features, and purpose of your drone, with different obligations for the A1, A2, and A3 categories. These requirements are essential for legal drone operation across the EU.

Registration Rules by Category

If your drone weighs 250 grams or more, or if it’s under 250 grams but equipped with a camera or sensor and isn’t classified as a toy, you must register as an operator. This applies to most drones used in A2 and A3 operations.

Drones with C1, C2, C3, and C4 class identification labels always require registration. Drones in the C0 class are exempt unless they have a camera or sensor and are not considered toys.

For example, if you’re using a C1-class drone (weighing under 900 grams), you’ll need to register with your National Aviation Authority, attach your operator ID to the drone, and activate its remote ID system.

After registration, you’ll receive a unique registration number. This number must be displayed on your drone and uploaded to its remote ID system. It’s valid across all EU member states, allowing you to operate legally throughout the region.

Drone operators bear the main responsibility for meeting these requirements. However, if someone else acts as the remote pilot, both parties must ensure compliance with registration and identification rules.

Next, let’s break down the remote identification requirements that help track drones during flight.

Remote ID Requirements

In addition to registration, remote identification is mandatory for drones in the Open Category. Starting January 1, 2024, all drones with class labels operating in this category must have a remote ID system. This system broadcasts real-time information about the drone and its operator. As the operator, you’ll need to upload your registration number to the system and keep it active during flights.

For instance, a C0-class drone under 250 grams, such as the DJI Mini 4 Pro, requires registration if it has a camera. If the same drone qualifies as a toy without a camera, registration isn’t needed.

The remote ID system plays a key role in improving safety by enabling authorities to identify drones and verify compliance in shared airspace. To stay within the rules, make sure your registration is up to date, your remote ID system is functioning properly, and your operator details are current with your National Aviation Authority. In higher-risk situations, you might have additional responsibilities as an operator.

How to Choose the Right Category

Picking the right drone category involves understanding the rules that govern legal and safe operations. Under EU drone regulations, operations are classified based on risk levels rather than whether the drone is used for recreational or commercial purposes. This framework ensures that safety and compliance remain the top priorities.

Category Selection Guide

The class identification label on your drone is the first step in determining the appropriate category. Drones marked with C0, C1, C2, C3, or C4 have specific restrictions that dictate which subcategories they can operate in. For instance, drones with a C0 label are generally limited to A1 operations, while those with a C2 label can qualify for A2 and A3 operations, provided the pilot has the required certifications.

Proximity to people plays a major role in category selection:

A1: Suitable for operations with restricted overflight of people.
A2: Designed for close operations in populated areas.
A3: Best for remote operations far from people.

Urban areas typically require A1 or A2 categories, while rural or remote locations align with A3. Additionally, specific certifications are necessary for each category, so it’s important to review the requirements for your intended operations.

Your operational needs will also influence your choice. For example, emergency response missions in populated areas will demand at least an A2 certification. Since December 31, 2020, certifications standardized by EASA are valid across all EU member states. Once you’ve determined your category and obtained the required certification, you can operate legally throughout the EU.

Before making a final decision, check for any local variations in regulations that could affect your operations.

Check Your Local Aviation Authority

Once you’ve clarified your category, the next step is ensuring compliance with local rules. While EU regulations provide a common framework, individual member states may have additional restrictions. National Aviation Authorities often publish maps that highlight no-fly zones and specific conditions that apply regardless of your selected category.

It’s a good idea to contact your local aviation authority to confirm any extra national requirements. Some countries may enforce stricter rules on proximity to people or impose additional operational conditions, which could impact your plans.

Starting January 1, 2024, remote identification requirements became mandatory for all drones operating in the Open Category. This applies across all A1, A2, and A3 subcategories. Your local authority can guide you on compliance procedures and any additional documentation you may need.

Lastly, always double-check that your intended operating areas are not within restricted airspace. Locations such as military zones, areas near airports, and regions with national security concerns often have blanket restrictions that override standard A1, A2, or A3 permissions. Identifying these limitations early will help you avoid compliance issues and ensure your operations run smoothly.

Summary: What You Need to Know

If you’re planning to operate a drone in the EU, understanding the A1, A2, and A3 categories is a must. These rules apply not just in EU member states but also in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, ensuring a unified set of guidelines no matter where you fly.

The framework is built around a risk-based approach, meaning the stricter the potential risks, the more requirements you’ll face. For example, flying a small drone over an open field comes with fewer restrictions compared to operating near people, which prioritizes safety.

Before taking off, you need to confirm your drone’s subcategory based on its class marking and ensure you’ve obtained the necessary remote pilot certificate to comply with training and operational rules.

Don’t forget – registration on your national platform and carrying third-party liability insurance are mandatory steps before flying.

Most operations within these categories don’t require specific authorization from National Aviation Authorities, but always check with your local authority for any additional restrictions that might apply. This system ensures that all drone pilots uphold high safety standards, no matter the environment.

FAQs

What are the main differences between the A1, A2, and A3 drone categories for operating near people?

The A1 category lets drones fly over people, but they must avoid flying directly over crowds. The A2 category allows drones to operate near people, provided a safe distance is maintained. Meanwhile, the A3 category requires drones to stay far from people as well as residential, commercial, or recreational areas.

Each of these categories is designed with specific safety rules based on how close drones are to people and their surroundings. Always stick to the guidelines for your drone’s category to meet EU regulations and ensure safe operation.

What do CE class labels mean for EU drone categories, and how do they affect pilots?

CE class labels are used to determine which EU drone category a drone can operate in, based on its design and safety features. These labels range from C0 to C4, with each class tied to specific rules and operational limits.

Drones in the lower classes, such as C0 or C1, are typically allowed to fly closer to people. On the other hand, drones in higher classes, like C3 or C4, come with stricter rules, including maintaining greater distances from bystanders. As a pilot, it’s essential to ensure your drone’s class matches the operational category you plan to use and to strictly adhere to all safety and compliance regulations tied to that category.

What training and certification do I need to fly drones in the A1, A2, and A3 categories under EU regulations?

To fly drones in the A1, A2, and A3 categories, you’ll need to meet specific training and certification requirements:

A1: Requires the A1/A3 certificate, mandatory for drones weighing 250g or more.
A2: Along with the A1/A3 certificate, you must earn an A2 certificate, which includes passing a theoretical exam and completing self-guided practical training.
A3: Only the A1/A3 certificate is required for this category.

These certifications are designed to ensure drone operators adhere to the safety and regulatory standards outlined by EU guidelines for various flight scenarios.

A1 vs A2 vs A3: EU Drone Categories Explained

Everything about Drones in Open Category: A1, A2 & A3