Drone rules in Cyprus
| Drones allowed? | Yes — under EU rules |
| License needed | EU Drone License (from 250 g) |
| Registration | Required — via the DCA UAS system |
| Insurance | Advised (mandatory above 20 kg) |
| Night flying | Allowed — green flashing light required |
| Max altitude | 120 m |
| Authority | DCA Cyprus · drones.gov.cy |
What you need to fly in Cyprus
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 Cyprus and all 30 European countries for 5 years.
2. Operator registration (the DCA UAS system)
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 Cyprus too. Local pilots register via the DCA UAS system.
3. Liability insurance
Cyprus publishes no insurance duty for open-category drones under 20 kg — the EU rule applies above 20 kg. Liability cover is still strongly advised.
The rules while flying
These EU-wide basics apply in Cyprus — plus the local details on the right.
Specific to Cyprus
- Keep at least 8 km distance from airports and heliports — stricter than most EU countries
- Many DJI drones ship with a wrong pre-installed Cyprus geo-zone map — upload the official geo-zone file (JSON) from drones.gov.cy before flying
- Yellow (restricted) zones need prior authorisation from the zone administrator, e.g. airports or the National Guard
- Drones placed on the market after 1 Jan 2024 without a class label may not fly in the open category
- Local registration costs €15 and is valid 3 years — visiting pilots use their home-country EU registration
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 Cyprus and 29 other countries for 5 years.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license for a DJI Mini (under 250 g) in Cyprus?
No license is needed under 250 g, but registration is required for camera drones — and the 8 km airport rule and geo-zones apply to all drones.
Is my EU Drone License from another country valid in Cyprus?
Yes. The EU Drone License is valid in all EU countries plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland — one license covers all 30 countries.
Why does my DJI app show different zones in Cyprus?
The DCA warns that most DJI drones ship with an incorrect pre-installed Cyprus map. Download the official geo-zone file from drones.gov.cy and upload it to your drone before flying.
How close to an airport can I fly in Cyprus?
Keep at least 8 km from airports and heliports — Cyprus applies larger distances than most EU countries. Check the official geo-zone map for the exact boundaries.
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:
