Since 1 January 2021, drone operations in Poland have been governed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) UAS regulatory framework, implemented through Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945. Polish national rules — administered by the Civil Aviation Authority (Urząd Lotnictwa Cywilnego, ULC) — build on top of this framework in specific areas such as the DroneRadar identification system and UAS registration portal.
Understanding registration starts with knowing which operational category your equipment and intended flights fall into.
Operational categories explained
The EASA framework divides all UAS operations into three categories: Open, Specific, and Certified. The vast majority of recreational and light commercial drone pilots in Poland operate entirely within the Open category.
Open category
Open category flights do not require prior authorisation from ULC. They are permitted when:
- The drone weighs less than 25 kg
- The drone is kept within visual line of sight (VLOS)
- The flight does not exceed 120 metres above ground level
- Overflying groups of people is avoided
Within the Open category, subcategories A1, A2, and A3 define where flights may take place relative to uninvolved persons. A1 permits flight over uninvolved persons (with restrictions by class), A2 allows a minimum horizontal distance of 30 metres (or 5 metres in low-speed mode for C2-class drones), and A3 requires staying 150 metres away from residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational areas.
Specific category
Operations that fall outside the Open category parameters — higher altitude, flight beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), operations over populated areas — require either a Standard Scenario (STS) authorisation or a specific operational risk assessment (SORA) approved by ULC. These operations are common in professional surveying, infrastructure inspection, and broadcast work.
Certified category
Certified operations apply to large unmanned aircraft systems operating like manned aviation. This category is rare among commercial photographers and hobbyists.
Who must register
Under Polish rules, UAS operators are required to register when their drone meets any of the following criteria:
- The aircraft has a maximum take-off mass (MTOM) of 250 g or more
- The aircraft is equipped with a sensor capable of capturing personal data (e.g. a camera), regardless of weight
- The aircraft is a toy drone with an MTOM below 250 g that generates a kinetic energy above 80 joules on impact
Practically, this means that almost any drone with a camera — including lightweight models such as the DJI Mini 2 SE — requires registration if it can capture identifiable images of persons.
How to register in Poland
Registration is completed through the UAS.gov.pl portal (uas.gov.pl), operated by PANSA (Polish Air Navigation Services Agency). The process takes between 15 and 40 minutes for a first registration.
- Create an account at uas.gov.pl using a Polish identification number (PESEL) or, for foreign nationals, a passport number and country of residence.
- Enter the operator details: full name, address, phone number, and email.
- Add each aircraft: manufacturer, model, serial number, and MTOM.
- Complete the online competency test (40 questions, open-category regulations) — required for operators who did not pass an equivalent test in another EU member state.
- Pay the registration fee. As of May 2026 the fee is 0 PLN for recreational operators and 200 PLN for commercial operators registering for the first time.
- Receive a registration number in the format PL-XXXXXXXXXX.
The operator registration number must be displayed on every drone in the fleet. It is typically applied as a durable label on the airframe in a location visible without tools.
Pilot competency certificates
Since 31 December 2021, flying in the Open category requires holding a valid remote pilot competency certificate:
- A1/A3 Certificate — obtained online after passing a 40-question theory test on the UAS.gov.pl portal. Covers regulations, airspace, meteorology, drone performance, and human performance. Required for all A1 and A3 subcategory operations.
- A2 Certificate of Competency — requires passing both an additional theory exam and a practical self-assessment. Allows closer proximity to uninvolved persons under the A2 subcategory rules.
Certificates issued by any EU member state are recognised in Poland without re-testing. Non-EU certificates are not directly transferable and holders must complete the Polish online test.
DroneRadar and digital registration
Poland operates the DroneRadar system (droneradar.eu), maintained by PANSA. Pilots are required to log flights in the DroneRadar app before entering controlled airspace (CTR) zones around airports. In uncontrolled airspace below 100 metres and outside restricted zones, logging is voluntary but strongly recommended — it provides real-time deconfliction with manned aircraft.
The DroneRadar app is available for both Android and iOS. After logging in with UAS.gov.pl credentials, pilots can file a flight notification, check current airspace restrictions, and receive automatic approval for standard flights within the automated system.
Penalties for non-compliance
Operating an unregistered drone or flying without a valid certificate in Poland is an administrative offence under the Aviation Law Act (Prawo Lotnicze). Fines range from 500 PLN for minor documentation violations to 30,000 PLN for serious airspace infringements or operating in restricted zones without authorisation. ULC has increased inspection activity since 2022, particularly around major airports and national parks.
Summary checklist
- ✅ Register on uas.gov.pl if your drone has a camera or weighs ≥250 g
- ✅ Obtain A1/A3 certificate by passing the online theory test
- ✅ Affix registration number label to the airframe
- ✅ Carry certificate and registration confirmation on every flight
- ✅ Log flights in DroneRadar before entering CTR zones
- ✅ Renew operator registration every 3 years