Can You Bring a Drone to Italy?

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Italy is a beautiful country that sees as many as 30 million tourists each year. With its rolling hills, picturesque villages, and stunning coastline, it’s no wonder that so many people flock to Italy to enjoy its natural beauty.

If you’re wondering about the legality of drones, you’re in luck.

You can bring a drone to Italy, but you need to be aware of the regulations surrounding drones in Italy. Drones weighing less than 25 kg are regulated by ENAC, the Italian Civil Aviation Authority. All drone operators must be registered with ENAC, and drones must be marked with the pilot’s registration number.

What happens at customs? #

When traveling with a drone to Italy, you will need to declare the drone at customs. It is recommended that you have all the necessary documentation with you. Plan to bring your passport, a copy of your registration, and proof of insurance.

Registration in Italy #

If you are from another EU country and you have registered as a drone operator there, you will not need to register again in Italy.

However, if you are from a non-EU country, you will need to register as a drone operator with ENAC. You can take the training class and complete the required test online for EUR 199 at DroneLicense.

Non-Eu residents will receive a Remote Pilot Certificate to fly once they complete this online program. This certificate has a 5-year validity and must be on you when you fly your drone. You may be randomly asked by the Italian authorities to see your certificate.

Non-EU residents that have already registered in another EU country won’t have to register in Italy again. You only register in the first EU country in which you conduct drone operations.

Insurance to fly drones #

To fly a drone in Italy, you must have third-party liability insurance with a minimum coverage of €1,000,000 per incident. The insurance must cover the entire EU, and it must be valid for the entire time you are in Italy.

It is best to get insurance while in your home country.

Options for drone insurance include:

Drone identification requirements #

When you fly your drone in Italy, make sure you label it properly.

It should clearly have your ownership details on it. These include your name, address, and telephone number on both the drone and the remote.

In case of an accident or incident, this will help the authorities get in touch with you.

When you register as a drone operator in Italy, you will receive a unique registration number. That number is part of the identification requirements you should attach to your drone.

What are the drone regulations in Italy? #

Once you have permission to fly your drone in Italy, there are still some regulations you need to be aware of. These regulations are managed by the ENAC and the EASA.

You must keep your drone within sight at all times and cannot fly it above 70 meters high.
Make sure you stay at least 5km away from an airport and 2km away from populated areas.
Be aware of any type of crowd.
Don’t fly your drone over people, their private property, buildings, or sports events. So try to avoid using it in residential areas – keep a buffer distance if you do.
If you fly near a residential area, make sure you keep a distance of at least a kilometer.
Drone pilots should always keep their craft within their eyesight and make sure to stay within 500 meters of it.

If you plan on flying your drone in Italy, make sure to follow these regulations to avoid any penalties. With a little bit of planning, you can enjoy flying your drone and taking in the beautiful sights that Italy has to offer.

What specific areas are prohibited? #

As mentioned before, you can fly near a residential area as long as you keep a safe buffer. However, there are some spots you must avoid completely.

Don’t fly over, in, or near a military area, nuclear plant, or any type of prison.
Archaeological sites and public utility installations must also be avoided. Some of the famous archaeological sites in Italy include the Colosseum, Pompeii, and Herculaneum.
You should also make sure not to fly your drone over crowds or large gatherings of people.
While football is popular in Italy, you cannot fly your drone over a football stadium or concert.

You may want to avoid using your drone over Venice or the Vatican as well. The Vatican is the smallest country in the world, and flying a drone over it would be considered a serious offense.

Venice is also a no-drone zone as it is considered a World Heritage site.

Penalty for flying without a permit #

The penalty for flying a drone without a permit in Italy can be up to EUR 5,000. If you are caught flying in a restricted area, the penalty can be up to EUR 10,000.

Great sites to fly drones in Italy #

While there are some areas you should avoid flying your drone, there are still many beautiful places you can explore.

Some of the great spots to fly drones in Italy include:

The Amalfi Coast
The Dolomites
Lake Garda
Tuscany
Florence

The Amalfi Coast has been called one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. With its cliffside villages and turquoise waters, it is easy to see why. You can get aerial shots of the coastline and villages that are simply breathtaking.

» MORE: Can You Fly a Drone in Positano?

The Dolomites offer a different type of beauty. With their jagged peaks and snow-capped mountains, they make for some stunning drone footage.

Lake Garda is another popular spot for drones. With its crystal clear waters, it is a great place to get aerial shots of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Tuscany is a must-see for anyone visiting Italy. With its rolling hills, vineyards, and medieval villages, it is easy to see why. Since there is so much open space, it is a great place to fly drones. You can get some amazing shots of the countryside.

Florence is a city that is rich in history and culture. Make sure you avoid flying over the city center as it is a restricted area. However, you can fly to some of the outskirts of the city to get some great shots of this beautiful city.

So if you are planning on bringing your drone to Italy, make sure to follow the regulations and enjoy exploring all that this country has to offer.

» Read More: Can You Fly a Drone in Rome?