For most hobby pilots, flying a drone legally in Romania costs under 30 euros: €23 to register as an operator and, if your drone requires it, €6 for the online exam. The MoND (Ministry of National Defence) clearance is free. The rest — insurance, authorisations for the specific category — depends on the drone and the operation.
The amounts below come from the official fee schedule of AACR, the Romanian Civil Aeronautical Authority, as amended by Order no. 602/2026 of the Minister of Transport, published in the Official Gazette on 23 June 2026. We checked them on 15 October 2026.
Key information
- AACR fees are in euros and exclude VAT.
- Registering as a UAS operator: €23. The A1/A3, A2 or standard-scenario online exam: €6 each.
- The MoND clearance for filming, photography or mapping is free.
- Checking zones on the ROMATSA map and in Drone Log is free.
- Third-party liability insurance is mandatory under EU rules only above 20 kg; below that, Romanian Government Decision (HG) 859/2021 requires insurance "where applicable, according to the law".
AACR fees for drones
| What you pay for (fee excl. VAT) | Fee (€) | Item |
|---|---|---|
| Online registration as a UAS operator | 23 | 11¹.1 |
| Changing the data in your operator account | 11 | 11¹.2 |
| Online exam, initial or renewal, A1/A3 | 6 | 11¹.3.1 |
| Online exam, initial or renewal, A2 | 6 | 11¹.3.2 |
| Online exam for standard scenarios (STS) | 6 | 11¹.3.3 |
| Confirmation of a standard-scenario declaration | 23 | 11¹.4.1 |
| Authorisation of operations in the specific category | 187 | 11¹.4.2 |
| Amendment of an operational authorisation | 113 | 11¹.4.3 |
| Annual oversight of authorised operations | 57 | 11¹.4.4 |
| LUC certificate (operator with self-authorisation privileges) | 906 | 11¹.5.1 |
The annex does not state its own entry-into-force date; it was published on 23 June 2026. Before paying, check the amount shown on uas.caa.ro at the end of your application.
What you pay, depending on your drone
The examples below are for the open category. What each class requires is explained in the guides on class C0 and class C1.
- C0 drone, or under 250 g, with a camera: you register as an operator (€23). There is no mandatory exam for C0. Total: €23.
- C1 drone (under 900 g): registration (€23) and the A1/A3 online exam (€6). Total: €29. The exam certificate is valid for 5 years.
- C2 drone in the A2 subcategory: on top of the above, the A2 exam (another €6). Total: €35.
Registration is per operator, not per drone: you pay once, however many drones you own.
What is free
- The MoND clearance for filming, photography or mapping in the zones that require it. The Romanian public services portal lists it as free, with an average processing time of 7 days and a maximum of 12. You apply through the AEROFOTO app at least 7 working days in advance (how to get the MoND clearance); for overflying Bucharest below 3,000 m, MoND asks for 5 working days and an overflight authorisation.
- Checking the zones on the official ROMATSA map and on the Drone Log UAS map. In Drone Log, the Free plan includes unlimited checks, up to 2 drones and 5 authorisation requests per month.
- Flying in the open category outside restricted zones needs no MoND clearance, even if you film.
Insurance
Regulation (EC) No 785/2004, which makes third-party liability insurance mandatory in aviation, does not apply to aircraft with a maximum take-off mass below 20 kg (Article 2(2)(b)).
In Romania, HG 859/2021 requires the drone to be insured against damage to third parties "where applicable, according to the law". Flying without insurance where it is mandatory is fined 25,000 to 40,000 lei, applied to the operator.
The insurance premium is not a public fee: it depends on the insurer, the drone and the type of flight, so we do not estimate it here.
What breaking the rules costs
Fines for flying without registration, without approval or in a prohibited zone are far higher than all the fees above. You will find them by category in the guide on HG 859 offences.
Sources
- Order of the Minister of Transport no. 602/2026, annex, chapter 11¹ — AACR fees for unmanned aircraft, Official Gazette no. 513 bis of 23 June 2026. legislatie.just.ro
- Overflight authorisations and clearances for filming, photography and mapping flights — free service, updated on 17 July 2026. serviciipublice.gov.ro
- MoND clearance for aerial filming / photography. defense.ro
- Regulation (EC) No 785/2004, Article 2. EUR-Lex
- Government Decision (HG) no. 859/2021, Articles 3, 11 and 12. legislatie.just.ro
All sources were checked on 15 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does drone registration with AACR cost?
You register as an operator, not each drone: €23 excluding VAT, once, however many drones you own.
Do I pay for the A1/A3 exam?
Yes, €6 for the online exam, initial or renewal. It is not mandatory for a C0 drone or one under 250 g.
Does the MoND clearance cost anything?
No. It is free and requested through the AEROFOTO app, only for filming, photography or mapping in the zones that require it.
Do I have to insure my drone?
EU rules require it only above 20 kg. Below that, HG 859/2021 requires insurance "where applicable, according to the law"; if you fly professionally, ask your insurer what cover you need.
To move from theory to practice, check if you can fly or use the airspace checker. If the zone requires it, generate the approval request.