Drone regulations in Italy
Last update on 25.04.2021 | 41 Kommentare
In this post we explain the legal situation for the use of drones in Italy.
Italy already launched its online portal in July 2020, which referred to the provisions of the European drone regulation. Since December 31, 2020, these have been in force in many European countries and largely standardize the rules. You only have to register in one European country, all others will recognize your registration.
The D-Flight portal is available for registration in Italy.
Overview of the European rules that apply in Italy
In Italy, the regulations of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) apply. The following is a summary of the key facts. For a complete overview, read our article on the new EU drone regulation.
National peculiarities in Italy
Each country can define certain aspects of its drone regulations. For Italy, the following requirements apply in addition to the European regulations.
Use of the D-Flight portal
The D-Flight portal was, at least in the beginning, still quite error-prone and had difficulties with displaying the correct information. This seems to have been fixed. You can change the language on the top right corner to English or Italian.
You have to activate your account by e-mail, but you are not registered yet. To do so, you have to activate the option “SAPR Operator” under “Account Details”, fill in the required information, and send a copy of your ID or passport by e-mail.
QR Code
Drones weighing 250 grams or more are to be identified with the help of a QR code. This is also somewhat cumbersome. For simple flight maneuvers, the code costs 6 euros per drone. You first have to buy “D-coins” at the D-Flight market place. They are worth one euro each. You can then redeem six coins for the QR code. Attention: A reader has already reported that some payment options did not work and he could only transfer the money. You get the QR code by activating your drone under “Fleet” using the drone model.
As already indicated, the portal has not been very user-friendly in the beginning. Therefore we linked the official manual above, which describes how it should work normally.
Remote identification
In Italy, from January 1, 2021, a device for remote identification, i.e. an electronic radio transmitter, was planned for drones weighing over 250 grams. According to our information, this obligation has been postponed.
Further rules for drone pilots in Italy
The minimum coverage for liability insurance in Italy must be 750,000 SDRs (the equivalent of around 891,000 euros, as of the end of April 2021).
Radio transmission is possible on the frequencies 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz with a maximum of 100 mW.
We have researched the listed drone regulations for Italy to the best of our knowledge. We can not guarantee the correctness of the information. If you want to be on the safe side, please contact the competent aviation authority. Alternatively, you can also ask the embassy in your country for further information about the regulations. Please leave us a comment when you receive news and/or gain experience with your copter in Italy!
Hi Guys, this is the second time I bumped into your blog while checking regulations in different countries. Congratulations for you blog and thank you for your service.
I’m about to go to Italy and, there’s a question I have about their regulations, but, not towards the flying. I just want to know if I can take the drone in my backpack and there won’t be any trouble in the airport. I’m coming from Portugal by the way. I’m making this question because the first time I was researching regulations for Oman, and realised there are complications just for getting in the airport with the drone in the backpack. I’m hoping that travelling inside europe, between 2 countries of the EU, that will be simplified. But even so, I’d like to know your opinion about it.
Hi it is so happen that I am taking f my drone into Oman next week
What kind of complications??
Nice to have you here! 🙂 I don’t expect any issues at the airport. Have a wonderful trip to Italy!
Hi, I am going to Italy this summer, Rome, Cinqueterre, Venice and Dolomites. Is there any recent update on small drone use like a DJI Mavic for example. If I cant fly it I wont bother carrying it ! tx
Hi Alain,
I have updated the article. As a private drone user, you cannot fly within the boundaries of cities. Best regards, Francis
Can I fly a Mavic Air while hiking in the Dolomites and Lake Brais?
Should not be a problem as long as you are not in a National Park and you follow the Italian rules.
I was in the Lake Brais this January and saw a sign that prohibits drones.
Hi cronies wit dronies
I would LOVE ❤️ TO fly my drone near the Alps or as close as I can for some premium foots and stills
Does anyone know the do’s and donts
I described them in the article above 😉
Francis, the insurance is not compulsory for recreational use (not professional). It is suggested but not compulsory.
Hi Matt,
Okay, thank you for this correction. Do you have a trustworthy source for me?
Thanks in advance!
Hi, i’m Italian and I can confirm that for recreational use insurance is not mandatory.
Flying on beaches is not forbidden as long as there are no people around!
In italy is not easy to understand where you can and you cannot fly, you should use italian aeronautical maps to be sure.
Anyway for recreational use it’s always forbidden to fly over cities/town, over people, near prisons, near military areas, over national parks, near airports (most of the times much much more than 5 km, you should consult an aeronautical maps anyway)
Hey Francis & Elia!
I am visiting Naples, Positano, Sorrento, and Capri in mid-May. Can I fly my DJI Mavic Air? I am looking to fly over the water, mountains, and the house we are staying in.
Thank you!
” I would not start my drone unless I obtained the approval of the local authorities (such as the police or the magistrate).”
Any idea how to get an approval? To fly my drone in Rome? Thanks
PS1: Great blog btw!
PS2: check out my channel : youtube.com/dronelivecam
Hi Ray,
In your case, I would ask ENAC for assistance. I guess they can help you. Please share your insights with us 😉
Have a nice trip!
I’m thinking of going up Vesuvius about 5:00am, putting my Mavic Pro round it once on a mission with the sunrise and landing within ten minutes. Do you think I’ll be OK or are the police about that early?
Hello Franics!
I am going to Italy, and more specifically to Lake Como. And also to Courmayeur, If I can fly there Mavic pro?
I don’t want to fly in cities – I know I can not go there 🙂 Best Regards
Can I fly my drone for commercial use in Italy without a license or do same rules apply such as in the US?
Hello Josie,
You find the answers in the article above 😉
Hey Francis, I’m leaving for Italy tomorrow. I will be visiting Rome, Florence, Venice, and Sorrento, Im aware that drone flying in Rome is out of the picture but for Venice, if I fly strictly over water does this violate any laws? Can I fly over Florence? How about the Amalfi
Coast and Capri?
Hi,
I will be visiting Finale Ligure from 8-18 Sep.
I found information that I cannot fly over beaches in summertime – usually until 15th September.
Where can I check or asked if summertime locally has ended?
Can I fly my drone in Cinque Terre from water?
Hello,
i would like to take some video clips for my commercial video, for a local company from Slovenia in this location:
https://goo.gl/maps/qpMYKrNToX22
Is this possible, or do I need to ask for any permitions?
Than you for answer. Uros
Hello, ı will visit Florence,Cinque Terre and Genoa. How can ı fly my djı spark ? is it possible to use in these places? or do you know any exact place to fly?
thank you 🙂
Hi Denis,
It is not allowed to fly a drone in urban areas without permission. Have a nice time in Italy!
Looking to purchase the DJI Mavic Mini, does this apply to the same laws given it’s small size/weight? Private use not commercial use, looking to take it to Venice… advice and facts much appreciated 👍
Do I really need a label? There is nothing about it here and on the German blog it says yes? https://drohnen-camp.de/drohnen-gesetze-in-italien/
Now I am confused?
(Original) Brauche ich wirklich eine Kennzeichnung? Hier steht nichts davon und auf dem deutschen Blog steht ja? https://drohnen-camp.de/drohnen-gesetze-in-italien/
Nun bin ich verwirrt?
Hello Diana,
Please excuse the confusion. The information on the German site is correct, the English site was not yet up to date.
Hi My name is Enoch, I am planning to go to Dolomites “cadini di misurina” with DJI mini 2. Do i need to get permissions…?
Hi Enoch,
We assume that you’ve already registered as a drone operator, have a certificate and are familiar with the rules set out in the Open Category. As long as you operate within those rules, you do not need permission to fly in that region, according to the D-Flight website.
Hey, I’m going to Florence tomorrow, and I’m bringing my DJI mavic mini 2. I can’t really find the regulations for an aircraft under 250g. Can you help me ?
Hello Jonatan,
This is probably too late for you but maybe it will help others with a similar question. We have written down the EU-wide regulations in the Open Category in this article: https://drone-traveller.com/drone-open-category/
Hello all,
Thank you for the article.
I have a question: I am a licensed drone pilot a1-a3, a2, my drone has a operator code from Romania on it (ROUxxxxxxxxxxxxx-xxx)…do I have to pay on d-flight for the QR code to stick it on the drone?
In my opinion it should not be mandatory.
Thank you.
Hi Dan,
You do not have to pay for a QR code from Italy if you have already attached your Romanian operator ID to your drone(s). However, to view the flight areas in Italy, you have to register at D-Flight. This is free of charge.
Hi, I hope that someone still monitors this page. I am a licensed US drone operator, and have an opportunity to travel to Italy in the fall, specifically Lake Como for just a few days. If it is possible for me to fly and capture images, I would bring my drone with me (DJI Mavic Air 2, 570g). What is the procedure for me to be able to fly recreationally in Italy? Since the time will be so short, I am not willing to take on a National certification process, but maybe my US FAA UAS license can be accepted at par. Have you any comment?
Thanks,
Bob
Hi Bob,
Italy follows the EU drone regulation, which has been in force for a few months now. There is no difference between recreational and commercial flying, it all depends on the kind of drone you use and where you want to fly (how far away from people and houses, in a restricted area, etc.). Your US registration and license are not recognized so you will have to register as a drone operator in the first EU country where you use your drone, which seems to be Italy. This is not a long process and can be done online, we have linked the D-Flight registration platform above. Once you are registered, your registration is recognized in all other countries that follow the EU rules. You will most likely need a license, too, and its type depends on the flight category. A1/A3 is usually easy to obtain online, the A2 license is more difficult and costly. You don’t have to use the Italian exam platform, so you could use another country’s platform if you are worried about language barriers. Just note that licenses from the United Kingdom are not yet recognized! You can read about the EU drone regulation in our articles: https://drone-traveller.com/eu-drone-regulation-2021/
Hi Franics,
I’m going to Italy with my DJI MINI 2 (under 250g; not professional use). Is insurance mandatory for this equipment and what minimum coverage now is?
Next question is where I can buy drone liability insurance for non-EU resident? I found couple sites but there is for EU-citizen only.
PS: I know about d-Flight. I’ve registered there but did not activate the QR-code yet until I figured out the insurance rules.
Thanks,
Andrey
Hi Andrey,
Yes, liability insurance is still mandatory. The minimum coverage is 750,000 SDRs.
You could look at the insurance companies in your country and see what liability insurance they offer. You just need to make sure that drone operations in other countries are covered.
This is NOT true. Drone insurance in Italy is not equites for personal use of drones under 250g.
Thank you for helping with this utterly confusing situation. So, being Canadian with a DJI Mini 3 pro (sub 250g), all I would need is to log on the d-flight portal and register myself (pay the 6 Euros), correct ? Nothing else ? Besides that are there known areas where it is legitimately possible to fly a drone in Italy ? I had Tuscany and the Dolomites in mind (Cinque Terre but clearly that seems out). Would at least those 2 locations be ok if respecting the base rules ? Everywhere is a national park or close to a city, archeological site etc.. very hard to define.