Drone rules in Bulgaria
| Drones allowed? | Yes — under EU rules |
| License needed | EU Drone License (from 250 g) |
| Registration | Required — via the DG CAA drones portal |
| Insurance | Advised (mandatory above 20 kg) |
| Night flying | Allowed — green flashing light required |
| Max altitude | 120 m |
| Authority | DG CAA Bulgaria |
What you need to fly in Bulgaria
Three things make your flight legal. Two are formalities — the license is the one that takes a few hours, and you can get it entirely online.
1. EU Drone License (A1-A3)
Required for every drone from 250 g. Online course + official exam, average ~4 hours. Valid in Bulgaria and all 30 European countries for 5 years.
2. Operator registration (the DG CAA drones portal)
Usually the trickiest step for travelling pilots. Register once as an operator in your EASA country of residence and put the number on your drone — that registration is valid in Bulgaria too. Local pilots register via the DG CAA drones portal.
3. Liability insurance
EU rules make liability insurance mandatory above 20 kg. Below that, liability cover is strongly advised in Bulgaria — check whether your travel insurance covers drone liability.
The rules while flying
These EU-wide basics apply in Bulgaria — plus the local details on the right.
Specific to Bulgaria
- Registration for Bulgarian residents runs via the DG CAA drones platform (drones.caa.bg) — free of charge and approved within 1 working day
- Only operators register, not the drones themselves — no per-aircraft registration in the open category
- National rules are set by Ordinance No. H-6 of 11.04.2023 on UAS operation
- Visiting pilots use their home-country EU registration — you cannot register twice in the EU
You can still get licensed before your trip.
The average pilot finishes the course and exam in ~4 hours, fully online. Pass today and your official EU certificate lands in your inbox — valid in Bulgaria and 29 other countries for 5 years.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license for a DJI Mini (under 250 g) in Bulgaria?
No license is needed under 250 g, but operator registration is required if the drone has a camera. Zone rules apply to all drones.
Is my EU Drone License from another country valid in Bulgaria?
Yes. The EU Drone License is valid in all EU countries plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland — one license covers all 30 countries.
Where do I register as a drone operator in Bulgaria?
Bulgarian residents register on the DG CAA drones portal (drones.caa.bg). Visiting pilots use their home-country EU registration.
How fast can I get the EU Drone License?
The course and exam are fully online and take about 4 hours on average. Pass today and your certificate arrives in your inbox the same day.
One license. 30 countries.
Your EU Drone License is valid in every country below — check the local rules before you pack:
