Ah, Italia. It’s one of many world’s most famed locations and a top-tier place to go to for drone pilots wanting to seize beautiful footage of the idyllic countryside.
You’ll be able to fly a drone in Rome, most of Venice, and lovely Florence, or Firenze, because the locals name it.
You will need to additionally register your drone earlier than planning these fascinating flights, so how do you try this?
Register a drone in Italy via the D-Flight portal. Leisure pilots working drones under 250 grams don’t must register. Nevertheless, business pilots should all the time register their drones. Failing to register a drone can lead to fines or imprisonment.
Given the steep penalties of foregoing registration, you wish to make sure you do it accurately. You’ve come to the suitable place!
This information will unpack the registration guidelines and different pertinent legal guidelines on your journey to Italy.
Prime Drone Programs
Can I legally fly a drone in Italy?
In keeping with the Italian Civil Aviation Authority or ENAC, drones can function in Italy. ENAC oversees air transport guidelines, safety, and security.
Pilots should obey ENAC legal guidelines and people established by the European Union Aviation Security Company or EASA. Italy doesn’t require pilots to acquire a drone license, so the registration is that rather more essential.
» MORE: Can You Carry a Drone to Italy?
Below EASA guidelines, pilots might be positioned into one among three classes based mostly on danger stage:
I’ll break down these classes later on this information, so don’t miss it.
Can I convey a drone to Italy by aircraft?
You’ll be able to transport your drone by way of aircraft if you happen to don’t already dwell in Italy, however it’s best to anticipate to declare it at customs.
Listed below are some tips about what to anticipate and the way to navigate the method.
Arrive early
You is likely to be allowed to convey your drone on a aircraft, however that doesn’t imply it’s all the time a simple course of. Count on to spend extra time in safety clearance strains than most passengers.
Permit your self additional time so you will get via the check-ins with out risking lacking your flight.
An additional hour or two of leeway ought to suffice, however you can provide your self a bigger window if you wish to play it ultra-safe.
Purchase a drone journey bag
One of the best ways to journey along with your drone is in a bag, case, or backpack designed for it.
Carrying your drone loosely in a suitcase is a recipe for catastrophe. The drone can shift and transfer round, resulting in physique injury and potential damaged components.
A drone journey bag may have a comfortable compartment for drone storage.
You possibly can swing the bag round (not like I like to recommend you do that, however theoretically), and the drone would keep put. This reduces the probabilities of injury.
Carry your drone as checked baggage or a carry-on
Nevertheless, since you possibly can by no means be too cautious, I counsel you to convey your drone as a carry-on or a chunk of checked baggage.
The airport workers doesn’t have X-ray imaginative and prescient, in order that they don’t comprehend it’s a $1,000+ DJI drone in your bag. They only comprehend it’s a bag, so it will get dealt with lower than gingerly.
That may make for one anxious flight!
You’d even be in for a headache if you happen to arrived in Italy and found your drone was damaged. You’d must shell out unexpectedly for a brand new one, chewing into your journey price range.
Bringing your drone as checked baggage ensures it stays with you your entire flight, the place you possibly can preserve it secure and sound.
Declare your drone at customs
You will need to declare your drone earlier than getting on the flight.
Expedite the method by having all required drone paperwork prepared, together with proof of insurance coverage, registration (a replica suffices), your passport, and different ID.
Assessment the airline’s battery transportation coverage
Touring with a drone is likely to be okay, however bringing batteries alongside is a complete different matter.
Batteries can overheat and probably explode, so airways have stringent insurance policies about whether or not you possibly can take them on a aircraft.
Don’t get caught unawares. Assessment the airline’s web site to determine the battery coverage. If you happen to’re allowed to journey with batteries, take them out of your drone and retailer them in a separate compartment.
Can I register a drone in Italy as a non-resident?
You’re lastly dwelling your dream by touring to Italy, however you are concerned about registering your drone while you get there. Are you allowed to register as a non-resident?
Sure, however whether or not it’s a must to depends upon which nation you’re coming from.
If you happen to’ve registered a drone in every other EU nation, the registration is sweet in Italy. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re touring from a non-EU nation, reminiscent of the US or Canada, it’s essential to register your drone.
Non-residents should register as Operators, after which connect the Operator Registration quantity to the drone.
You’ll solely obtain one Operator Registration quantity even if you happen to register a number of drones, so apply the quantity to all.
As a non-resident, it’s essential to keep out of no-fly zones and fly no nearer than 8 kilometers from heliports and airports.
The best way to register a drone in Italy (Step-by-step)
ENAC requires pilots 14 and older to register drones exceeding 250 grams. You continue to must register it in case your drone has a digital camera however weighs beneath 250 grams. All business drones additionally require registration.
Here’s a complete overview of the method.
Step 1 – Create an account on D-Flight
D-Flight is an ENAC portal for autonomous flight. Your entire website is obtainable in English, so you possibly can navigate it simply. You’ll be able to entry the portal for account registration right here.
Step 2 – Full the registration data
When you’ve made a D-Flight account, you possibly can start the registration. Observe the prompts, filling out the required data as you go.
ENAC solely permits pilots to register one drone mannequin a yr, so be picky about which you determine to register.
Step 3 – Pay the registration price
Registering your drone in Italy prices €90, or roughly $96.95 USD. That’s considerably costlier than registering a drone in most nations.
Nevertheless, it’s a one-time fee that counts towards the pilot, not the drone.
Permit me to elaborate. You’ll be able to register just one drone in Italy and pay the above price for 5 drones. That makes the cost cheaper.
You will need to ahead your fee to the Italian authorities by way of PayPal or bank card. You can not ship a cash order or test.
You will need to additionally pay to enroll on D-Flight, and continued use prices €6 monthly.
Step 4 – Adhere the registration data in your drone
Stick the registration data on every drone you registered in a visual location. You’re now able to fly!
Can I take a drone registered in Italy wherever in Europe?
Europe has 50 nations, and 27 are a part of the EU. You’ll be able to fly a drone you registered in Italy in any of these nations with out having to register once more.
The total listing is as follows:
- Sweden
- Spain
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
- Romania
- Portugal
- Poland
- The Netherlands
- Malta
- Luxembourg
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- Italy
- Eire
- Hungary
- Greece
- Germany
- France
- Finland
- Estonia
- Denmark
- Czech Republic
- The Republic of Cyprus
- Croatia
- Bulgaria
- Belgium
- Austria
Nevertheless, if flying exterior the above 27 nations however inside Europe, it’s essential to register your drone within the nation you’re visiting. Your Italian drone registration won’t do you any good.
Italy drone legal guidelines for leisure and business use
Working a drone in Italy for business use or enjoyable requires you to obey all related drone legal guidelines. Listed below are the legal guidelines as established by EASA and ENAC.
Know which EASA drone class you belong in
I discussed the three EASA classes above, so let’s dig deeper into them now.
The Open categorization is for low-risk drone flights. You meet this specification in case your drone weighs beneath 25 kilograms at takeoff. It won’t exceed a max altitude of 120 meters or fly past your visible line of sight.
In case your flight carries a barely greater danger, your drone belongs within the Particular categorization. You will need to have authorization earlier than launching your drone in most situations.
The Licensed categorization is for the highest-risk flights. You will need to have a license to function your drone. Nevertheless, this class is often reserved for pilots working drones sturdy sufficient to move folks.
Don’t fly close to sure buildings
ENAC prohibits pilots from utilizing drones close to personal or public amenities, archaeological websites, public utility installations, and navy installations. You can not fly in or over these websites.
Keep inside 150 meters of altitude
Italian drone legislation requires all pilots to fly at an altitude no better than 150 meters over floor stage. You’ll be able to face weighty fines and potential imprisonment for violating this legislation, so don’t take the prospect.
You can not fly a drone at evening
Some nations allow drone operation after darkish in case your drone has lights affixed, however Italy doesn’t. Don’t hassle including lights to your drone, as you possibly can’t fly as soon as the solar units.
Don’t fly over crowds
You’ll be able to solely fly inside 500 meters of different folks and may by no means function your drone over a crowd. That is for his or her privateness and security.
Don’t fly near airports
ENAC requires pilots to fly no nearer than 3 kilometers from any heliport and eight kilometers from the closest airport.
Keep a visible line of sight in your drone
Are you able to see your drone within the distance with out utilizing binoculars? You’re following VLOS (visible line of sight) guidelines if you happen to answered sure.
Nevertheless, persevering with to fly your drone additional into the space breaks ENAC rules.
Preserve your distance from buildings, animals, and autos
The five hundred-meter restrict applies to greater than folks but additionally to buildings, animals, autos, and remoted buildings. This rule doesn’t pertain when you’ve got consent from the individual or constructing proprietor.
Don’t fly close to residential areas
You need to stay inside 1 kilometer of the closest residential space when working your drone in Italy. You’re additionally prohibited from utilizing your drone close to populated areas.
What occurs if you happen to disregard drone legal guidelines in Italy?
Enjoying off the above guidelines is to your detriment. ENAC or the Italian authorities can positive you as much as €50,000 for violating drone security legal guidelines.
You is also imprisoned for a yr or much less and prohibited from coming into any Italian airport for the following two years.
What varieties of drone flights are allowed in Italy?
The one varieties of drone flights it’s best to contemplate in Italy are in unrestricted airspace. This ensures you don’t put others in danger, and also you’ll cut back your probabilities of getting slapped with a hefty positive.
In any case, the above positive for violating drone legal guidelines is $53,582 USD.
Most of us don’t have that form of money mendacity round. That’s a lifetime’s financial savings for a lot of, and it will be down the drain right away for breaking a drone legislation.
You shouldn’t fly close to heliports or airports, and solely drone operators within the Particular class beneath EASA guidelines can request authorization.
The best way to test for restricted areas in Italy
Figuring out how strict Italy is about its no-fly zones and the way the nation’s drone authority won’t hesitate to put the hammer down on these breaking the legislation, I can’t suggest a drone app sufficient on your journey to Italy.
You needn’t look far to search out one. D-Flight, the identical useful resource you used to register your drone, additionally supplies up to date maps. The maps will define no-fly zones, which it’s best to strictly keep away from.
Do I want insurance coverage to fly a drone in Italy?
ENAC requires all business pilots visiting Italy to have third-party legal responsibility insurance coverage. Hobbyists don’t require insurance coverage. Nevertheless, I’d warning you towards foregoing it.
You’re accountable for all the pieces you do along with your UAV as a drone pilot. Adjusting your self to the environment of a brand new nation whereas flying your drone is troublesome.
You hope you received’t crash your drone or harm any individual, however insurance coverage is a security internet in case the worst occurs.
Insurance coverage protects towards injury to your drone, accidents to people concerned in a drone accident, and property injury.
You received’t must pay the total price of hospital payments, restore prices, and lawyer’s charges (if a lawsuit happens) out of pocket.
You don’t must determine on insurance coverage instantly. You’ll be able to price range on your journey after which use any leftover money to purchase a coverage.
You’ll be able to even cancel the insurance coverage as quickly as you’re dwelling if you want, although I don’t recommend it (until yours is out-of-country insurance coverage and also you journey occasionally).
ENAC contact particulars
Do you’ve got questions for ENAC about registering or insuring your drone? Right here’s all of the pertinent contact data.
Web site: ENAC
Places of work: By way of Gaeta 3 00185 Roma, Italy | Viale Castro Pretorio 118 00185 Roma, Italy
E mail handle:
Cellphone:
- Toll-free quantity: 800-898121 (from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to eight p.m. and solely accessible in Italy)
- Protocol quantity: 39 06 445961 (from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., then 2 p.m. to five p.m.)
- Passenger’s Proper & Airport’s High quality Companies Unit: 39 06 445961 | 39 06 44596493
- Institutional Communication Unit: 39 06 445961| 39 06 44596493
- Switchboard: 39 06 445961 | 39 06 44596493 (from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., then 1 p.m. to three:30 p.m.)