🖐 In this blog post we’ll share all law links and known rules about recreational and commercial drone uses in Italy (Rome & Naples). Give a 👍 at the end of this post if you enjoyed it & feel free to ask any questions or share your experience in our Italy Drone Discussion Group. Keep in mind that the content below is updated to the best of our ability & does not replace official sources & your own research.
💡 This article is also available in French
Recreational vs Commercial drone use in Italy
Italy differentiates commercial & recreational drone uses. Both are subject to restrictions & a code of conduct. Additionally, depending on your drone's weight, different rules may apply.
Flying and operating drones in Italy are regulated by European Union Regulation 2019/947. The responsibility for implementing and supervising this regulation lies with the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC). The main objective of this regulation is to create a harmonized drone market in Europe while ensuring the highest level of safety.
You can reach ENAC via:
email: comunicazione@enac.rupa.it
phone: (+39) 06 445 961
To achieve this, the regulation establishes three categories of drone operations: Open, Specific, and Certified. The categorization is based on the level of risk associated with the operations. Drone operators who have obtained authorization from their respective country of registration can freely operate within the European Union.
Open Cateogry
No prior authorization or declaration is needed for drone operations in this category due to the low level of risk. The drone must weigh less than 25kg and be operated within the operator's line of sight, with a maximum altitude of 120m.
Specific Category
Certified Category
✅ Additionally, the European Union differentiates drones categories based on their weight
Can I travel with my drone to Italy?
✅ Currently, there doesn't seem to be any restrictions on bringing drones within Italy as long as your import is considered as legitimate (generally one drone per person).
🚨 Be aware of the airline you purchase to travel as some main ones will only accept your drone on-board if its batteries are detached & placed in a firecase during travel time. Most airlines will have a battery voltage limit based on the recommendation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can find more info about a specific airline here.
Catching a plane to visit Italy? Be compliant & get your fireproof lipo battery bags
Where can I fly my drone in Italy
✅ Italy built a detailed interactive drone flight map (D-Flight) designed primarily for recreational use. This map is organised in a 4 colour scheme to help drone owners to fly responsibly & safely within the country:
Italy drone fly map
✅ Additionally, you can find temporary flight zone restrictions via the NOTAM INFO Map
🚨 Avoid flying your drone in urban areas at all costs, especially Vatican & Venice's islands. It might sound attractive to do such but several tourists have seen their drones confiscated and face further charges. This seems especially true near the major tourist attractions such as the Colosseum.
🌊 Also, it is forbidden to fly over beaches, if there are other people there (usually between the 15/06 & 15/09 of a given year). & you should not fly over nature reserve or national parks, as may hurt local wildlife 🦅
Recreational drone use in Italy
Drone operations in Italy must comply with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, which may include amendments or updates to the regulations. These regulations provide further guidelines and requirements for drone operations to ensure safety and compliance. But in a nutshell, you should:
fly your drone at maximum of 50 meters (170 feet) in the Open category and 120 meters (400 feet) in the Specific category.
Direct visual contact with the drone is necessary, and the operating distance should not exceed 500 meters.
Avoid flying near residential or populated areas and maintain a one-kilometer safety buffer around residential areas.
Keep a minimum safety distance of 500 meters from isolated buildings, people, vehicles, animals, and structure s unless authorized.
Do not fly near airports or heliports; stay at least eight (8) kilometers away from airports and three (3) kilometers away from heliports.
Nighttime flying is not allowed.
Do not fly over or near military installations, public utility installations, archaeological sites, or public/private facilities.
✅ In case of an accident or serious incident you need to inform the Agenzia Nazionale Sicurezza Volo within 60 mins
How to register to fly my drone in Italy?
To operate a drone in Italy, it is mandatory for all drone pilots to register as operators through the ENAC-approved D-Flight portal. You can register your drone via this link
✅ Recreational pilots who fly drones weighing less than 250 grams are exempt from registration. However, the portal states that drones that can go fastert han 90km/h or/and are equipped with a camera or any other equipment that could potentially intrude upon others' privacy must be registered, even if they weigh less than 250 grams.
Your registration number issued upon registration remains valid for one year and must be renewed periodically using the same procedure. You can continue to utilize the same registration number unless the registration is permanently deregistered from the system.
Commercial drone use in Italy
You will need to register your drone for any commercial use prior taking of in Italy & hold a license recognized by local authorities before taking off. Most of the recreational use conditions apply, plus a few more eligibility criteria, you must:
your drone & its remote need to have an identification system to link and show ownership details. It also needs an electronic identification device, showing in real time data your flight parameters & recording them.
fly at a maximum altitude of 150 m above the ground & sea & a maximum of 500 m away from you or the pilot (if not you).
away from buildings of all kinds without approval, people (50 m) or crowds (150 m, including concerts or sports events) & respect individuals' privacy.
at least 5 km away from airports & give way to all other type of aircraft.
only during permitting weather, during day time & within your sight at all times (the use of 3D helmets is prohibited unless a co-pilot is watching your drone whilst).
lights are not compulsory but highly recommended as ENAC reserves the right to require them if judged necessary "In other words, the reserve the right to fine you"
you will need a license to fly
drones weighting more than 25 kg need to be registered (registration is valid for 3 years, unless you modify the manufacturer's product).
your frequency for FPV should be on 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz with a max of 100mW
✅ You might be eligible for a low-risk operations which will require you to send a statement of compliance with specific requirements to ENAC (it will cost you 94€).
✅ You can apply for a permission to fly over events or closer to airports via this online form (only available in Italian). Once completed, it can be sent to protocollo@pec.enac.gov.it or mail: Airport Regulation Department & Air Space - Viale Castro Pretorio, 118 - 00185 Rome
✅ In case of an accident or serious incident you need to inform the Agenzia Nazionale Sicurezza Volo within 60 mins
How to obtain my drone license in Italy?
✅ First you will only be eligible if you are at least 18 years old & have a medical certificate provided by an aero medical examiner (AME).
From there, you will need to:
Learn the Italian aero rules by successfully attending a training course with an approved Training Centre. (if you already hold an Italian pilot's license, credit is given)
Undertake a training program in class for the type of drone you want to pilot.
Pass an practical examination with an examiner of an approved Training Centre.
What do I risk for flying illegally in Italy ?
🚨 The amount & scope of the fine will depend on the nature & severity of your infraction. The judges will also evaluate if you intentionally committed the infraction &/or if you had any commercial purpose during your flight.
Once you got everything in order, you can start flying above Italy's awesome landscapes & create videos like this one:
Travelling to Italy? Need the best travel drone? Click here
✅ Please leave a comment or update Italy Drone Forum when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone over Italy! Have fun and safe flight!
Source
Regulation Drone use in Italy - ENAC (rev 4) D Flight Registration Portal European Union Regulation 2019/947
Other resources
Online Application for flight rules derogation (in Italian)
Disclaimer: Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information researched, we take no responsibility for any loss, harm or damage caused as a direct or indirect consequence of relying on this information. It is your responsibility to seek advice from qualified local & relevant authorities for needed information about local drone regulations.
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