Check2FlyEuropean drone flight rules at a glance

Eastern Europe

Moldova

Moldova applies a national drone oversight system run by the AAC, in which operations are divided into the open, specific and certified categories. In the official guide, the open category is described more narrowly than in the EASA model: it covers non-commercial flights, for personal use and in uncontrolled airspace. At the same time, the AAC's public materials still point to mandatory written authorisation of operations, so before each flight you must assume a formal consent model.

Altitude: Depends on AAC authorisation; only toy drones in a narrow exemption up to 25 m AGL without approvalRegistration: 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 altitudeDepends on AAC authorisation; only toy drones in a narrow exemption up to 25 m AGL without approval

Camera / registration noteFor an authorisation application for a drone equipped with means to record or transmit audio or video, the AAC additionally requires the consent of the Ministry of Defence, the SIS and, for a drone registered abroad, also the consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In practice, for urban or sensitive flights you must also expect additional local coordination.

Local points to double-check

The AAC publishes three categories of operation: open, specific and certified. The official AAC guide states that operations in the open category concern only non-commercial flights, for personal use and in uncontrolled airspace, and that carrying out operations in each of these categories requires the authority's mandatory written authorisation.
The only clear exception concerns toy UAS: a toy drone with an MTOM under 250 g, without GNSS, without audio/video and without a bidirectional control link may fly without AAC consent only up to 25 m, within 50 m of the pilot, in uncontrolled airspace and under the supervision of a responsible person.
Every flight with a drone other than a toy requires third-party liability insurance. This also applies to flights in the open category, so the absence of a policy is a real blocker before the operation.
Flights in controlled airspace, near airports, over restricted areas, military bases, strategic facilities and administrative buildings are prohibited according to the AAC guide.
If the drone has a camera or audio/video transmission, the consent process requires additional approvals from the Ministry of Defence and the SIS, and for drones registered abroad also the consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the authorisation process, the AAC assesses both the remote pilot and the drone itself, and the operation conditions are entered individually into the consent issued.
If the drone has an MTOM over 150 kg or a flight in controlled airspace is planned, the AAC guide refers to ICAO DOC 10019, which means an even more formal and restrictive regime.

Pre-flight checklist

Check everything before takeoff

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

0/6 done

Step 1Assume that the flight requires prior written AAC authorisation and start the procedure before the planned operation date.Step 2First check whether your drone really falls within the narrow toy UAS exemption; if not, go straight to the formal consent procedure.Step 3Prepare the operator, pilot and drone details and check whether you need additional consents from the MoD, SIS, the town hall or the MFA.Step 4Confirm valid third-party liability insurance for the drone, if it is not a toy within the meaning of the AAC guide.Step 5Avoid planning a flight in controlled airspace, near airports, military bases, strategic facilities and administrative buildings.Step 6If the operation is foreign, urban or involves a camera, allow more preparation time, because the process involves more than one institution.

Official sources

Where to confirm current information

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

Authority websiteCivil Aviation Authority of MoldovaOpen source Flight mapAAC Moldova authorization processOpen source

Information sources

AAC Moldova: UA/UAS department AAC Moldova: guide for drone operations AAC Moldova: guide (Romanian original)AAC Moldova: fly legally, fly safely campaign 2025

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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.