Check2FlyEuropean drone flight rules at a glance

Southern Europe

Malta

Malta applies the common EASA rules, but flight practice is locally more procedural than in many other EU countries: all flights take place in controlled airspace and require authorisation via TM-CAD iDronect. In practice, before each flight you must check not only the open category conditions but also airport zones, restrictions for military areas and whether the flight qualifies for automatic approval or requires an additional risk assessment.

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 noteOperator registration is required for drones of 250 g or more, for drones with a camera or another sensor, and for all operations in the specific category. Registration takes place at tmcad.idronect.com, is renewed annually and costs EUR 25. The operator number or the corresponding QR code must be placed on the drone and entered into Remote ID if the drone requires it.

Local points to double-check

Do not fly higher than 120 m above the ground, keep VLOS and do not fly over gatherings of people.
Many operations in the open category require an A1/A3 certificate; subcategory A2 requires additional A2 competency and an appropriate drone class. In Malta, remote pilot certificates are renewed every 5 years.
Before each flight you must check the TM CAD iDronect platform and the official Transport Malta geozones, because restrictions for airports, military areas, embassies, reserves, hospitals, power plants and other sensitive areas are published there operationally.
In Malta, all drone operators must have valid third-party liability insurance, regardless of the drone's mass and of whether the flight is recreational or commercial. Transport Malta justifies this by the fact that the entire Maltese sky is controlled airspace.
All drone flights in Malta require submitting a flight request via tmcad.idronect.com. Automatic authorisation is possible only for low-risk flights: up to 60 m, outside no-fly zones and only from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
If a flight does not qualify for automatic authorisation, the system may require a risk assessment to be attached to the request. The operator must be reachable at the provided phone number throughout the operation.
A drone requiring registration should be correctly marked with the operator number or a QR code and, where required, also configured with active and current Remote ID. Since 1 January 2024, this applies, among others, to drones of classes C1, C2, C3, C5 and C6 and to all operations in the specific category.
A foreign operator visiting Malta must also register on iDronect and upload valid third-party insurance; if they already have an EASA operator number, they can use a 3-month registration for EUR 10, otherwise they pay the standard EUR 25.
If a flight does not meet the conditions of the open category - e.g. it involves BVLOS, a higher risk profile or a zone requiring separate authorisation - the operation moves to the specific category and requires an STS declaration or an operational authorisation from Transport Malta. Cross-border operations in the specific category must additionally follow the local procedure applicable in Malta.

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 at tmcad.idronect.com and whether the operator number or QR code is correctly placed on the drone; account for the annual validity and the EUR 25 fee.Step 2Confirm the required pilot competency: A1/A3 for many flights in the open category and A2 if the planned operation is to be carried out in subcategory A2.Step 3Before take-off, verify TM CAD iDronect, the geozones, NOTAMs and local operational restrictions; remember that in Malta every flight requires prior flight authorisation in the TM-CAD system.Step 4Make sure the operator has valid third-party liability insurance and that the drone meets the Remote ID requirements, if any are provided for it.Step 5Check whether the flight fits the automatic authorisation profile up to 60 m and in daytime; if not, prepare a risk assessment or broader documentation.Step 6If the flight does not fall within the open category, prepare the appropriate process for the specific category, including STS, a cross-border operation or an application for an operational authorisation to Transport Malta.

Official sources

Where to confirm current information

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

Authority websiteTransport Malta Civil Aviation DirectorateOpen source Flight mapTM CAD iDronect / UAS zonesOpen source

Information sources

Transport Malta: drones information and help Transport Malta: registration Transport Malta: training Transport Malta: geographical zones Transport Malta: Remote ID Transport Malta: tourists visiting Malta TM CAD iDronect

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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.