Romania RO
EASA rules apply, with a paid AACR operator registration and a standing security-driven no-fly corridor 20-30 km wide along the Ukraine border and Danube Delta/Black Sea coast, extended repeatedly since 2023 amid Russian drone incursions.
Your plan
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1 thing to sort out before you fly
- Register your drone in Romania
Registration is fully online via the AACR portal and takes about 10-15 minutes; renewed annually. Fee: 90 EUR (Plus 21% VAT, so approx EUR 109 total.). 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.
- 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%, raised from 19% in August 2025) 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 · A standing no-fly corridor covers Northern Dobruja between Sulina and Galați, extending 20-30 km from the Romanian border with Ukraine, up to 4,000 m altitude - civilian drones are effectively banned there; this has been repeatedly reinforced since September 2023 and again through 2025-2026 amid Russian drone incursions
Flying
- Max 120 m above ground, always in visual line of sight
- Never fly over crowds or assemblies of people
- A standing no-fly corridor covers Northern Dobruja between Sulina and Galați, extending 20-30 km from the Romanian border with Ukraine, up to 4,000 m altitude - civilian drones are effectively banned there; this has been repeatedly reinforced since September 2023 and again through 2025-2026 amid Russian drone incursions
- Since February 2025 Romanian forces are legally authorised to shoot down drones that violate national airspace, so unauthorised flights near the border or sensitive sites carry real physical risk, not just fines
- Liability insurance is mandatory only from 20 kg take-off mass under the national rule, though it is recommended below that
- Check AACR geographical zone notices and NOTAMs before flying anywhere near the eastern border, the Black Sea coast or military installations
Commercial use: The Open category covers most low-risk commercial work as elsewhere in EASA; any operation near the Ukraine border corridor needs prior military/AACR clearance and is unlikely to be granted for routine commercial or tourist filming.
Registration & classes
| Registration | Yes (from 250 g or camera) Registration is fully online via the AACR portal and takes about 10-15 minutes; renewed annually. |
|---|---|
| Pilot test | Yes (online, from 250 g) EU A1/A3 online certificate. Free online training plus a 40-question multiple-choice exam via the AACR system, separate from the paid operator registration. |
| Remote ID | Some classes Direct Remote ID is required for C1, C2 and C3 class drones and in some geographical zones. |
| Insurance | Depends Liability insurance is mandatory only from 20 kg take-off mass under Romanian national rules; below that it is optional but recommended. Commercial operations are strongly advised to carry cover regardless of weight. |
| Foreign registration accepted | Depends EASA operator registration and A1/A3 certificates from other EASA states are valid in Romania; non-EASA residents register with AACR if Romania is their first EASA state of operation. Visitors should avoid the eastern border/Danube Delta/Black Sea security corridor entirely - it is not a routine permit process but an active military-security restriction that has been extended repeatedly since 2023. |
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%, raised from 19% in August 2025) and possibly duty apply.
- CE marking required for sale in the EU/Romania.
- 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 Romania.
Export
- EU dual-use export controls apply to professional drones with long range, autonomy or heavy payload capacity.
Costs
| Operator registration | 90 EUR · Plus 21% VAT, so approx EUR 109 total. Validity: 1 year |
|---|---|
| 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 Romania Residents
- Register as an operator
Online registration via the AACR portal, EUR 90 + VAT, renewed yearly. Open
- Pass the A1/A3 test
Free online training and 40-question exam, valid across the EASA area for 5 years. Open
- Get insurance if 20 kg or heavier
Mandatory from 20 kg take-off mass; recommended for lighter drones too.
- Check NOTAMs near the eastern border
Avoid the Sulina-Galați security corridor along the Ukraine border and Black Sea coast; it is frequently extended and drones there can be shot down under the 2025 interception law.
Sources
- EASA – Civil drones (Open category) · accessed 23 Sept 2026
- AACR - Romanian Civil Aeronautical Authority · accessed 24 Sept 2026
- RFE/RL - Romania Extends Flight Restrictions Along Ukrainian Border · accessed 24 Sept 2026
- amavat - Romania VAT Rates & Compliance Guide 2026 · accessed 24 Sept 2026
How the score is built
- Operator registration−10
- Pilot test (online)−10
- Remote ID−4
- Mandatory insurance−3
- Visitors must register locally−5
- Duty + VAT ≈ 26 %−16
Every score starts at 100 and loses points for each requirement. How scoring works