Check2FlyEuropean drone flight rules at a glance

Southern Europe

Serbia

In practice, Serbia still applies a national, formal model for drone flights based on CAD RS approval, rather than a simple system of free operations in the open category without contacting the authority. From 30 June 2026 new rules 117/25, close to the EU model, do apply, but the current CAD RS guidance still points to a flight authorisation requirement and non-recognition of foreign pilot certificates.

Altitude: Depends on CAD RS approval and airspace conditionsRegistration: 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 CAD RS approval and airspace conditions

Camera / registration noteIn Serbia, the owner, user or operator of the unmanned aircraft submits an approval application directly to the CAD RS or through an authorised representative. For drones entered in the register there are separate registration forms, and operations are not yet based on a simple operator number recognised automatically as in EASA states.

Local points to double-check

In practice, the starting point remains CAD RS approval: the owner, user or operator of the drone submits a formal consent application, and without it a flight over the territory of Serbia is treated as an airspace violation.
The CAD RS also maintains separate forms for registering an unmanned aircraft, so for more formal or longer operations you must also reckon with the national registration process.
Before flying you must check the AIP, the Airspace Usage Plan and NOTAMs, because Serbia publishes temporary drone bans, e.g. over Belgrade, and does so operationally via communiqués and the airspace, not just through a static map.
From 30 June 2026, the new Regulation on unmanned aircraft No. 117/25 applies (some provisions from 30 May 2026), which replaces the former Regulation No. 1/20 and brings Serbia closer to the EU model. In practice, however, current CAD RS materials still indicate a flight authorisation requirement, so the regime remains formal.
Despite 117/25 coming into force, Serbia in practice does not yet operate like an EASA state with a simple open-category model. The CAD RS explicitly states that foreign pilot certificates A1/A3 and A2 are not recognised, so a foreign operator should not assume automatic recognition of their EU documents without a separate CAD RS approval.
If the flight is foreign, commercial or involves sensitive airspace, you must assume a more formal process and a larger time buffer for the approval and any additional coordination.

Pre-flight checklist

Check everything before takeoff

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

0/5 done

Step 1Assume that you need CAD RS approval before the flight, and start the procedure sufficiently early.Step 2Check whether, for the planned operation, you additionally need national drone registration on CAD RS forms.Step 3Verify the AIP, the Airspace Usage Plan and NOTAMs, because temporary drone flight bans in Serbia appear regularly and are enforced operationally.Step 4If you are a foreign operator, do not assume automatic recognition of the EU registration; check directly with the CAD RS what approval is needed before the flight.Step 5Check the current rules directly with the CAD RS, because from 30 June 2026 a new set of rules 117/25 applies in Serbia, and the authority's practice may still be adapting to them.

Official sources

Where to confirm current information

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

Authority websiteCivil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of SerbiaOpen source Flight mapCAD RS unmanned aircraft / AIP and Airspace Usage PlanOpen source

Information sources

CAD RS: regulations for UAS operators CAD RS: unmanned aircraft CAD RS: forms CAD RS: bylaws CAD RS: information - unmanned aircraft CAD RS: FAQ foreign drone operations

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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.