Malta MT
All of Malta is controlled airspace, so every flight (not just registration) needs authorisation from TM-CAD via its online portal — low-risk flights get instant approval. Insurance of at least €1 million is mandatory for every drone.
Your plan
Choose your home country (top right) to see steps tailored to you.
2 things to sort out before you fly
- Register your drone in Malta
Registration requires uploading proof of valid third-party insurance (min €1,000,000) as part of the application. Fee: 25 EUR (€25 to obtain a new EASA operator number; €10 for a 3-month registration if you already hold an EASA e-ID from another member state.). Allow about 1 day before your trip.
Open official page - Remote ID may apply
Direct Remote ID is required for C1, C2 and C3 class drones and in some geographical zones.
- Carry liability insurance
Required (min. EUR 1,000,000). Check that your policy covers flights in Malta.
- Bringing your drone in
Personal luggage from outside the EU: goods up to €430 (air/sea travel) or €300 (land travel) are duty- and VAT-free. Above that, customs duty (tariff-code dependent) and 18% VAT (Malta's standard rate) 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 · All of Malta is controlled airspace: every individual flight needs authorisation from TM-CAD via tmcad.idronect.com, not just one-time registration
Open official page
Flying
- Max 120 m above ground, always in visual line of sight
- Never fly over crowds or assemblies of people
- All of Malta is controlled airspace: every individual flight needs authorisation from TM-CAD via tmcad.idronect.com, not just one-time registration
- Daylight flights below 60 m, outside no-fly zones, get instant automatic approval; other requests need manual TM-CAD review
- Stay clear of a 5 km radius around airports and 3 km around heliports, plus military and protected areas
- Third-party liability insurance of at least €1,000,000 is mandatory for every drone, regardless of weight or purpose, and proof must be uploaded to the TM-CAD portal
- Class-marked (C1/C2/C3) drones need a flashing green light at night
Commercial use: The Open category covers most low-risk commercial work, but every flight still needs individual TM-CAD authorisation. Riskier flights need an operational authorisation or a standard-scenario declaration in the Specific category.
Official airspace mapRegistration & classes
| Registration | Yes (from 250 g or camera) Registration requires uploading proof of valid third-party insurance (min €1,000,000) as part of the application. |
|---|---|
| Pilot test | Yes (online, from 250 g) EU A1/A3 online certificate. Unlike the free A1/A3 exam in most EASA states, Malta charges €10, paid online at booking. |
| Remote ID | Some classes Direct Remote ID is required for C1, C2 and C3 class drones and in some geographical zones. |
| Insurance | Yes (min. EUR 1,000,000) Mandatory for every drone regardless of weight or purpose (recreational or commercial); proof must be uploaded when registering on the TM-CAD portal. |
| Foreign registration accepted | Depends EASA registrations and certificates are valid in every EASA state. Residents of non-EASA countries register in the first EASA state where they plan to fly. |
Weight classes
| Class | Weight | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| C0 | < 250 g | Subcategory A1: may overfly uninvolved people (never crowds). No test; register if it has a camera. |
| C1 | < 900 g | A1: avoid overflying people. A1/A3 certificate and Remote ID required. |
| C2 | < 4 kg | A2: 30 m from people (5 m in low-speed mode) with the A2 certificate; otherwise A3. |
| C3 / C4 | < 25 kg | A3 only: far from people and 150 m from residential, commercial and industrial areas. |
| No class mark | any | Under 250 g → A1. 250 g and more → A3 only (legacy transition ended 1 Jan 2024). |
Import & export
- Personal luggage from outside the EU: goods up to €430 (air/sea travel) or €300 (land travel) are duty- and VAT-free. Above that, customs duty (tariff-code dependent) and 18% VAT (Malta's standard rate) apply.
- CE marking is required for sale in Malta/EU; personal imports of non-CE radio equipment can be seized at customs.
- Batteries: Carry-on only. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100–160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares).
- No customs within the EU. The duty rate on drones from outside the EU depends on the tariff (HS) code.
Export
- EU dual-use regulation applies to professional drones with long range or high payload.
Costs
| Operator registration | 25 EUR · €25 to obtain a new EASA operator number; €10 for a 3-month registration if you already hold an EASA e-ID from another member state. Validity: 1 year (or 3 months under the reduced-fee option for existing EASA registrants) |
|---|---|
| EU A1/A3 online certificate | 10 EUR |
| Import taxes | ? % duty + 18 % VAT Usually only for drones you buy abroad and bring in to keep. |
Guides
Start flying in Malta Residents
- Get liability insurance
Mandatory for every drone: minimum €1,000,000 third-party cover, regardless of weight or use.
- Register on TM-CAD
Pay €25 (or €10 for 3 months if you already hold an EASA operator number) and upload your insurance proof. Open
- Pass the A1/A3 exam
Paid online exam (€10), unlike the free version in most EU states. Open
- Request authorisation for every flight
Submit date, time, location and height on the TM-CAD portal before each flight; daylight flights under 60 m outside no-fly zones are approved instantly. Open
- Check the no-fly buffers
Stay 5 km clear of airports and 3 km clear of heliports, plus military and protected areas.
Fly a drone as a visitor to Malta Visitors
- Arrange insurance before you arrive
You need proof of at least €1,000,000 third-party cover valid in Malta to register.
- Register on TM-CAD
If you already have an EASA operator number, register for €10 (3 months); otherwise pay €25. Open
- Bring your EU competency certificate
An existing A1/A3 (or equivalent) certificate from your home EASA state is accepted; otherwise you must pass Malta's paid €10 exam.
- Submit a flight authorisation for every flight
Even a quick recreational flight needs a TM-CAD request; low-risk daylight flights under 60 m are approved instantly. Open
Sources
- EASA – Civil drones (Open category) · accessed 23 Sept 2026
- Transport Malta – Drones overview · accessed 24 Sept 2026
- TM-CAD – Drone registration and flight authorisation portal · accessed 24 Sept 2026
How the score is built
- Operator registration−10
- Pilot test (online)−10
- Remote ID−4
- Mandatory insurance−6
- Visitors need a flight permit−20
- Visitors must register locally−5
- Duty + VAT ≈ 23 %−14
Every score starts at 100 and loses points for each requirement. How scoring works