Czechia CZ
EASA rules apply, but the Czech Republic bans night flying in the Open category, requires checking the mandatory DroneMap tool for buffer zones around defence and critical-infrastructure sites, and Prague is largely covered by a restricted zone.
Your plan
Choose your home country (top right) to see steps tailored to you.
1 thing to sort out before you fly
- Register your drone in Czechia
Operator registration fee reported by third-party legal sources as CZK 400 for private/non-professional operators; the official CAA-CZ English page does not itself list the fee, so this should be re-checked before relying on it. Fee: 400 CZK (Non-professional operator registration fee; unconfirmed against the primary CAA-CZ fee schedule, treat as approximate.). Allow about 1 day before your trip.
- Remote ID may apply
Direct Remote ID is required for C1, C2 and C3 class drones and in some geographical zones.
- Bringing your drone in
EU traveller allowance: goods up to €430 (air/sea) or €300 (land) from outside the EU are duty- and VAT-free; above that, import VAT (21%) and possibly duty apply. Batteries: Carry-on only. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100-160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares).
- Before each flight
Max 120 m above ground, always in visual line of sight · Never fly over crowds or assemblies of people · Night flying in the Open category is banned nationally (stricter than the EASA baseline); it is only possible with a Specific-category authorisation
Open official page
Flying
- Max 120 m above ground, always in visual line of sight
- Never fly over crowds or assemblies of people
- Night flying in the Open category is banned nationally (stricter than the EASA baseline); it is only possible with a Specific-category authorisation
- Check the mandatory DroneMap tool before every flight for geographical zones, including buffer zones around defence, police and other critical-infrastructure sites (OOP LKR310-LKR320, in force since 1 Sep 2025)
- Most of Prague sits inside the LKR9 restricted zone and Prague Castle inside the LKP1 prohibited zone, where Open-category flying is heavily limited or banned
- Class-marked drones need a flashing green light at night where night flight is otherwise permitted (Specific category)
Commercial use: The Open category covers most low-risk commercial work as elsewhere in EASA, but Prague and any defence/critical-infrastructure buffer zones typically push commercial shoots into the Specific category with prior CAA-CZ authorisation.
Official airspace mapRegistration & classes
| Registration | Yes (from 250 g or camera) Operator registration fee reported by third-party legal sources as CZK 400 for private/non-professional operators; the official CAA-CZ English page does not itself list the fee, so this should be re-checked before relying on it. |
|---|---|
| Pilot test | Yes (online, from 250 g) EU A1/A3 online certificate. Standard EASA A1/A3 online training and exam; free of charge like in most EASA states. |
| Remote ID | Some classes Direct Remote ID is required for C1, C2 and C3 class drones and in some geographical zones. |
| Insurance | Depends Not nationally mandated for hobby flying in the Open category, but required for commercial operations and Specific-category authorisations. Strongly recommended for all flights even where not legally required. |
| Foreign registration accepted | Depends EASA operator registration and A1/A3 certificates from any EASA state are valid in the Czech Republic; no separate Czech registration is required for visitors already registered elsewhere. Visitors flying commercially or near Prague/defence sites may need a Specific-category authorisation from CAA-CZ regardless of home registration. |
Import & export
- EU traveller allowance: goods up to €430 (air/sea) or €300 (land) from outside the EU are duty- and VAT-free; above that, import VAT (21%) and possibly duty apply.
- CE marking required for sale in the EU/Czech Republic.
- Batteries: Carry-on only. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100-160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares).
- No customs within the EU single market.
- Duty rate on drones imported from outside the EU depends on the TARIC tariff code; not separately confirmed for the Czech Republic.
Export
- EU dual-use export controls apply to professional drones with long range, autonomy or heavy payload capacity.
Costs
| Operator registration | 400 CZK (≈ €16) · Non-professional operator registration fee; unconfirmed against the primary CAA-CZ fee schedule, treat as approximate. Validity: Set nationally |
|---|---|
| EU A1/A3 online certificate | Free |
| Import taxes | ? % duty + 21 % VAT Usually only for drones you buy abroad and bring in to keep. |
Guides
Start flying in the Czech Republic Residents
- Register as an operator
Register with CAA-CZ; a fee (reported around CZK 400 for non-professional operators) applies - confirm the current amount on the CAA-CZ site. Open
- Pass the A1/A3 test
Free online training and exam, valid across the EASA area for 5 years.
- Get liability insurance
Not legally required for Open-category hobby flying, but strongly recommended and mandatory for commercial or Specific-category work.
- Check DroneMap before every flight
Mandatory tool for geographical zones, including buffer zones near defence and critical-infrastructure sites. Open
- Remember the night-flight ban
Open-category night flying is not allowed; plan flights for daylight hours unless you hold a Specific-category authorisation.
Sources
- EASA – Civil drones (Open category) · accessed 23 Sept 2026
- CAA-CZ - Unmanned Aircraft (English) · accessed 24 Sept 2026
- AK Vych - Drone operator registration in the Czech Republic · accessed 24 Sept 2026
How the score is built
- Operator registration−10
- Pilot test (online)−10
- Remote ID−4
- Mandatory insurance−3
- Night flight banned−8
- Visitors must register locally−5
- Duty + VAT ≈ 26 %−16
Every score starts at 100 and loses points for each requirement. How scoring works