Operating drones professionally requires more than just flying skills - it demands understanding of regulations, safety protocols, and legal responsibilities. This guide covers everything you need to know about safe and legal drone operations in Poland.
EU Drone Regulations Overview
Since December 31, 2020, Poland follows EU Regulation 2019/947 and 2019/945, which established standardized drone rules across all EU member states.
The Three Operation Categories
Drone operations are classified into three risk-based categories:
1. Open Category (Low Risk)
- Drones under 25kg
- Maximum altitude: 120m (400ft)
- Visual line of sight (VLOS) only
- No dangerous goods transport
- Not over assemblies of people
Sub-categories:
- A1: Over uninvolved people (drone <250g)
- A2: Close to uninvolved people (30m minimum)
- A3: Far from people (150m from residential/commercial areas)
2. Specific Category (Medium Risk)
- Operations requiring authorization
- Risk assessment and mitigation required
- Can include BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight)
- Operations over people (with authorization)
- Heavier drones or complex missions
3. Certified Category (High Risk)
- Large drones (>25kg typically)
- Transport of people
- Operations over crowds
- Requires aircraft certification
- Pilot license required
Most commercial drone services operate in the Open or Specific categories.
Required Certifications in Poland
Operator Registration
Mandatory if you fly drones:
- Equipped with cameras/sensors
- Over 250g (with few exceptions)
- For commercial purposes
Process:
- Register at www.ulc.gov.pl
- Obtain operator ID (e.g., PLOP-123456789)
- Mark all drones with operator ID
- Keep registration current
Cost: Currently free Validity: Renewable annually
Pilot Competency Certificates
A1/A3 Certificate (Basic)
Requirements:
- Online training course
- Pass online exam (40 questions, 75% pass rate)
- No practical test required
Allows:
- Fly drones <25kg in A1/A3 subcategory
- Most commercial operations
Process:
- Complete online training (free)
- Take exam at www.lba-training.eu
- €40-60 exam fee
A2 Certificate (Advanced)
Requirements:
- Hold A1/A3 certificate
- Additional online training
- Pass theoretical exam
- Practical self-training and declaration
Allows:
- Fly closer to people (30m minimum)
- More flexible operations
- Greater commercial opportunities
Specific Category Certificates
For operations requiring authorization:
- Submit operation authorization request
- Risk assessment (SORA - Specific Operations Risk Assessment)
- Operations manual
- Proof of insurance
- CAA approval required
Insurance Requirements
Mandatory for all commercial operations and many recreational flights.
Minimum Coverage
- Third-party liability: Required by law
- Recommended minimum: €1,000,000
- Professional operations: €2,000,000+
- Industrial/urban work: €5,000,000+
Insurance Options
- Specialist drone insurance policies
- Professional liability coverage
- Equipment coverage (optional but recommended)
- Hull insurance for expensive drones
Annual cost: €300-1,000+ depending on coverage and operations
Flight Restrictions in Poland
No-Fly Zones
Prohibited areas include:
-
Airports and Aerodromes
- 5km radius from airports (without authorization)
- Variable for smaller airfields
-
Restricted Military Areas
- Military bases
- Sensitive installations
- Check NOTAM for temporary restrictions
-
Nature Reserves
- National parks (permission required)
- Protected wildlife areas
- Breeding season restrictions
-
Urban Areas
- City centers (restrictions apply)
- Government buildings
- Crowds and events (without authorization)
Checking Flight Restrictions
Use official tools:
- DroneRadar app (Poland-specific)
- AIP Poland (Aeronautical Information Publication)
- PANSA NOTAM (Notice to Airmen)
- EU Geo-Zones map
Always check before every flight - restrictions change frequently.
Safety Best Practices
Pre-Flight Checklist
Before every flight:
-
Weather Check
- Wind speed <10m/s (25km/h) for most operations
- No rain or snow
- Good visibility
- Temperature within drone specifications
-
Equipment Inspection
- Batteries fully charged
- Propellers undamaged
- Sensors clean
- Firmware up to date
- SD cards formatted
-
Site Assessment
- Obstacles identified
- Emergency landing sites located
- Power lines and towers noted
- People/animals in area
-
Legal Compliance
- Flight authorized in this location
- Operator ID visible on drone
- Insurance valid
- Required certificates current
During Flight
Safety protocols:
- Maintain visual line of sight at all times
- Keep maximum 120m altitude (unless authorized)
- Stay 50m away from buildings (except with permission)
- Never fly over crowds without authorization
- Monitor battery levels continuously (land at 20-30%)
- Be prepared to abort mission if conditions worsen
- Keep logbook of all flights
Emergency Procedures
Have plans for:
-
Loss of Signal
- Drone should auto-return home
- Know your RTH settings
-
Low Battery
- Land immediately at safe location
- Don't push limits
-
Equipment Failure
- Manual override procedures
- Emergency landing techniques
-
Unauthorized People
- Stop flight immediately
- Explain operations politely
- Show certificates if questioned
Privacy and GDPR Compliance
Operating camera drones involves privacy considerations:
Legal Requirements
- Inform subjects if identifiable people are filmed
- Obtain consent for close-up recordings
- Blur faces in published content (if required)
- Data protection policy if storing footage
- Limit data retention to necessary period
Best Practices
- Avoid filming into private properties
- Don't record in changing areas, schools, hospitals
- Use signage when operating in public spaces
- Have privacy policy available
- Respect people's requests not to be filmed
Professional Standards
Beyond legal requirements:
Ethical Operations
- Respect private property
- Minimize noise disturbance
- Protect wildlife (especially breeding seasons)
- Be considerate of neighbors
- Professional conduct with clients and public
Continuous Education
Stay current with:
- Regulation changes
- Technology updates
- Safety bulletins
- Industry best practices
- Weather forecasting skills
Professional Memberships
Consider joining:
- Polish Drone Association (Polska Organizacja Bezzałogowych Statków Powietrznych)
- Professional drone operators networks
- Industry forums and communities
Operating in Mazuria
Our region presents unique considerations:
Opportunities
- Vast open spaces ideal for legal operations
- Beautiful natural subjects
- Growing tourism industry
- Less congested airspace than major cities
Challenges
- Multiple nature reserves (require permissions)
- Seasonal tourism (crowded areas in summer)
- Water bodies (need to recover from water)
- Wildlife protection zones
Local Resources
- Local CAA office: Warsaw (covers Mazuria region)
- Emergency services: 112
- Flight restrictions: Check DroneRadar before every flight
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Violations can result in:
- Fines: €100 to €50,000+ depending on severity
- Confiscation: Drone equipment seized
- Criminal charges: For serious violations
- Liability: Financial responsibility for damages
- Insurance issues: Claims denied if illegal operation
It's not worth the risk - always operate legally and safely.
Getting Properly Certified
Timeline for Certification
-
A1/A3 Certificate: 1-2 weeks
- Online study: 8-12 hours
- Exam: 1 hour
- Processing: Few days
-
A2 Certificate: 1-2 months
- Additional study: 12-16 hours
- Practical training: Self-paced
- Exam and declaration: 1-2 weeks
-
Operator Registration: 1 day
- Online process: 30 minutes
- Approval: Usually immediate
Investment
Total certification cost:
- Registration: Free
- A1/A3 exam: €40-60
- A2 certification: €80-100
- Insurance: €300-1,000/year
- Equipment marking: €10-20
Total first-year cost: €430-1,180
This investment protects you legally, professionally, and financially.
Conclusion
Safe and legal drone operations require knowledge, preparation, and ongoing diligence. While regulations might seem complex, they exist to protect public safety, privacy, and airspace integrity.
As professional drone operators in Mazuria, we maintain all required certifications, insurance, and follow strict safety protocols. This commitment to compliance and safety is essential for delivering reliable, legal services to our clients.
Flying drones for business? Ensure you're fully compliant. The time and modest investment in proper certification pays off through legal protection, professional credibility, and peace of mind.
Disclaimer: Regulations change. Always verify current requirements with official sources like the Polish Civil Aviation Authority (ULC) and EASA. This guide is for informational purposes and not legal advice.