Check2FlyEuropean drone flight rules at a glance

Southern Europe

Cyprus

Cyprus applies the common EASA rules, but flight practice relies on the drones.gov.cy portal and the detailed UAS Geographical Zones. In practice, before each flight you must check not only the open category conditions but also the geo-zones, the geo-awareness update obligation and local rules for airports and military zones.

Altitude: 120 m AGLRegistration: May be required depending on the operation or aircraft.

Flight rules

Quick overview for this country

This is a short overview of the most important requirements. Always confirm details and exceptions in official sources.

Registration requiredYes, depending on the operation or equipment.

Training requiredYes, often needed for compliance in the open category.

Maximum altitude120 m AGL

Camera / registration noteRegistration concerns the operator, not the drone itself, in the open and specific categories. Registration is valid for 3 years, costs EUR 15, and an operator registering on their own must be at least 18. The operator number must be placed on the drone and uploaded to the Remote ID system if the drone supports it.

Local points to double-check

Do not fly higher than 120 m, keep VLOS or use a UA observer, do not fly over gatherings of people and do not carry dangerous goods or drop anything.
Many flights in the open category require an A1/A3 certificate; subcategory A2 requires additional A2 competency, and older RPL licences can be converted to A2 after passing A1/A3. The minimum remote pilot age is 16, and younger pilots may fly only under the supervision of a person aged at least 16.
Cyprus has published its own UAS Geographical Zones under decree 190/2024 as amended by 123/2025. Before flying you must check the official geo-zones map, as it is the primary reference for restrictions in the Republic of Cyprus.
For drones of classes C1, C2, C3, C5 and C6, the operator must download the official geo-zones JSON file and upload it to the drone's geo-awareness system; the DCA page explicitly notes that the factory DJI map for Cyprus is not correct.
Near Larnaca and Paphos airports, zone A is completely prohibited. In zone B, operations in the open category are restricted and require prior DCA approval and third-party liability insurance of at least EUR 1,000,000. Official DCA materials mention both a general 7 working days and a detailed condition of 10 working days for the Airport Airspace Reservation Request form, so it is safe to assume at least 10 working days. If a flight does not fall within the open category, the operation moves to the specific category and requires an STS declaration or an operational authorisation.

Pre-flight checklist

Check everything before takeoff

Tick off the steps to verify the most important points before the flight.

0/5 done

Step 1Check that the operator is correctly registered on drones.gov.cy, and that the operator number is placed on the drone and entered into the Remote ID system where required.Step 2Confirm the required pilot competency and age: A1/A3 for many flights in the open category, A2 for subcategory A2, and a minimum of 16 for solo flight.Step 3Before take-off, verify the official UAS Geographical Zones map and do not rely solely on the drone manufacturer's maps.Step 4If you are using a class C1, C2, C3, C5 or C6 drone, download the current geo-zones JSON file and upload it to the geo-awareness system before flying.Step 5If the flight is to take place near an airport, in a restricted zone or outside the open category, prepare the appropriate approval, declaration or operational authorisation with the required lead time; for zone B near airports it is safest to assume at least 10 working days.

Official sources

Where to confirm current information

Open the authority or official flight map to confirm zones and current restrictions.

Authority websiteDepartment of Civil Aviation CyprusOpen source Flight mapCyprus UAS Geographical ZonesOpen source

Information sources

Cyprus DCA: home Cyprus DCA: open category Cyprus DCA: specific category Cyprus DCA: geographical zones overview Cyprus DCA: geographical zones map Cyprus DCA: airport geo-zones Cyprus DCA: operational authorisation Cyprus DCA: useful links and registration info

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Important

Check2Fly provides a simplified overview and does not replace official aviation regulations or current airspace data. Always verify local restrictions in official sources before flying.