Check2FlyEuropean drone flight rules at a glance

Southern Europe

Italy

Italy applies the common EASA rules but combines them with the national requirements of ENAC and the obligation to check geographical zones in d-flight before every flight. In practice, planning a flight in Italy requires particular attention around cities, monuments, the coast, islands and in controlled airspace, because compliance with the open category alone is not enough if the d-flight map shows local restrictions.

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 noteENAC requires operator registration on the d-flight portal and obtaining a European operator code in QR format to place on every drone. In Italy, operator liability insurance also applies in practice, and for drones below 250 g with a camera, registration on d-flight is still required if the pilot is at the same time the operator.

Local points to double-check

Do not fly higher than 120 m above the ground, keep VLOS, and do not fly over assemblies of people.
Many operations in the open category require an A1/A3 certificate. The ENAC online exam costs EUR 31, gives 4 attempts, and once passed the certificate is valid for 5 years.
The A2 subcategory requires prior A1/A3, practical self-training and an additional theory exam. The ENAC fee is EUR 31, and the exam itself takes place through Recognized Entities; the A2 certificate itself is valid for 5 years.
In the ENAC system, a pilot aged 16-17 can obtain A1/A3 and A2 with the consent of a parent or guardian, with the appropriate validation procedure on the portal.
Before every flight you must check d-flight, because ENAC requires verification of UAS geographical zones, airspace restrictions and local operating conditions. Meeting the rules of the open category alone is not enough if a given zone on d-flight is restricted or requires a nulla osta.
In safety zones near airports, flights in the open category are generally prohibited. If the operation is to conflict with the zone conditions, you must move to the specific category and obtain the appropriate nulla osta or Operational Authorization.
A UAS operator in Italy must have appropriate civil liability insurance, even for flights in the open category. ENAC also requires marking every drone with the QR operator code from d-flight.
Local bans on flights over parks, beaches or sensitive areas are operationally effective when they are reflected in ENAC decisions and published on d-flight; local signage alone outside the system does not create a valid aviation ban.
If the planned flight does not meet the conditions of the open category or requires flying under STS, BVLOS or another higher risk profile, the operation moves to the specific category and requires the appropriate process at ENAC. The national IT-STS scenarios expired on 31 December 2025 and from 1 January 2026 no longer constitute a basis for flights.

Pre-flight checklist

Check everything before takeoff

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

0/6 done

Step 1Check whether the operator must be registered in d-flight and whether the QR operator code is placed on the drone.Step 2Confirm the required pilot competencies: A1/A3 for many flights in the open category and A2 if the operation is to be carried out in the A2 subcategory. If the pilot is 16-17, check the correct guardian consent.Step 3Verify in d-flight the UAS geographical zones, altitude limits, airports, CTR and any local restrictions before every take-off.Step 4Make sure the operator has active liability insurance and that the flight fits within the appropriate subcategory of the open category in terms of class, mass and distance from uninvolved people.Step 5If the flight is to enter a restricted zone or the vicinity of an airport, check whether you need a nulla osta from ENAC or another entity establishing the zone.Step 6If the flight does not fall within the open category, prepare the appropriate process for the specific category, including STS or an ENAC operational authorisation.

Official sources

Where to confirm current information

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

Authority websiteENACOpen source Flight mapD-FlightOpen source

Information sources

ENAC: general open category requirements ENAC: how to obtain A1/A3 ENAC: how to obtain A2 ENAC: drone flights - restrictions and reserved airspace ENAC: drone operators - billing and registration ENAC: EU certificates from another EASA state D-Flight

Report an issue

Found an inconsistency or broken link?

Send the report to the contact email address. The information identified in it will be checked by an automated process and, if found to be incorrect or outdated, corrected or removed.

Email us

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.