The A2 drone certificate (EU-Fernpiloten-Zeugnis A2) is the step up from the basic A1/A3 competency proof. It lets you fly a C2 drone under 4 kg as close as 30 m to uninvolved people, or 5 m in low-speed mode, instead of the 150 m you would have to keep under A3. To get it in Germany in 2026 you complete three stages: hold the A1/A3 certificate first, carry out practical self-training, then pass a 30-question theory exam at a designated testing center. This guide walks through each stage with the exact fees, the pass mark, the validity period, and the flight rules, and links every figure to the LBA or EASA so you can verify it yourself.
The one thing to remember: the A2 certificate is not a beginner license. It builds on the free A1/A3 competency proof, which you must hold first. The A2 issuance fee at the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt is 30.00 EUR, the certificate is valid for 5 years, and the only reason to bother is to fly a C2 drone close to people. If your drone is under 900 g or you stay well clear of people, you do not need it.
What the A2 certificate is actually for
The A2 certificate is the next step up from the basic A1/A3 competency certificate, not a replacement for it. Both sit inside the EU open category, which covers low-risk operations up to a maximum height of 120 m above ground (EASA open category). What changes between subcategories is how close to people you may fly:
| Subcategory | Drones | Distance rule | Proof needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | C0 (under 250 g), C1 (under 900 g) | No flying over assemblies of people | A1/A3 proof (C1) |
| A2 | C2 (under 4 kg) | 30 m from people (5 m in low-speed mode) | A2 certificate |
| A3 | C3, C4, legacy up to 25 kg | 150 m from people and built-up areas | A1/A3 proof |
The practical difference is large. With the A2 certificate and a C2 drone, EASA allows a horizontal distance of 30 m from uninvolved people, reducible to 5 m when the low-speed function is active. Without A2 you would have to operate that same C2 drone under A3 rules at 150 m from people and from residential, commercial, industrial, or recreational areas (EASA). That gap, 30 m versus 150 m, is the whole point of the certificate.
You do not need A2 if your drone is a C0 or C1 model under 900 g, since those already fall under A1 with the basic A1/A3 proof, or if you fly a heavier drone but always keep well away from people. For a full overview of the categories, registration, and insurance, see our step-by-step guide to registering a drone in Germany in 2026.
Prerequisite: the EU A1/A3 competency certificate first
Before you can apply for A2, you must already hold the EU A1/A3 competency certificate. The LBA names this as the first step on the path to the A2 Fernpiloten-Zeugnis (LBA A2 certificate). The A1/A3 proof is obtained through free online training plus an online theory exam of 40 multiple-choice questions across 9 subject areas, with a 75% pass mark; the certificate costs 25.00 EUR and is valid for 5 years (LBA competency FAQ).
If you have not done the A1/A3 step yet, start there. Our German registration guide walks through the operator registration, the e-ID, mandatory liability insurance, and the A1/A3 exam in detail, all of which you need in place before the A2 upgrade makes sense. You can also browse our drone regulations hub for related rules by country.
Step 1: Practical self-training under A3 conditions
Once you hold A1/A3, the first A2-specific stage is practical self-training. EASA describes this as conducting and then declaring your own practical training before sitting the additional theory exam (EASA open category). The LBA spells out the conditions: you carry out the self-training under A3 operating conditions, ideally in open terrain well away from people, and then submit a self-declaration that you have done it (LBA A2 certificate).
There is no external examiner for this part. You are training yourself, in a low-risk setting, on the practical handling skills the A2 subcategory assumes. The point is to get comfortable flying the aircraft precisely before you are allowed anywhere near people.
Step 2: The additional theory exam (30 questions, 3 subject areas)
The core of the A2 certificate is an additional theory exam. According to the LBA, it consists of 30 multiple-choice questions across 3 subject areas, and you pass if you answer at least 75% correctly (LBA A2 certificate). Unlike the A1/A3 exam, you cannot take this one online at home. It is sat at an LBA-designated testing center for remote pilots, the Pruefstelle fuer Fernpiloten (PStF) (LBA A2 certificate).
The three subject areas build on the broader A1/A3 syllabus and dig deeper into the topics that matter when flying near people, including meteorology, the flight performance of the UAS, and technical and operational measures to mitigate ground risk. EASA likewise confirms that A2 requires an additional theory exam taken at the national aviation authority or via a proctored online setting (EASA). The LBA publishes a current list of designated test centers on its website, so check there for one near you and for the center's own scheduling and pricing.
Step 3: Apply for the A2 certificate with the LBA
With the self-training declared and the exam passed, you apply to the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt for the certificate itself. The issuance fee for the A2 Fernpiloten-Zeugnis is 30.00 EUR, and the certificate is valid for 5 years (LBA competency FAQ). This five-year term is the same across all LBA-issued pilot certificates: the A1/A3 proof, the A2 certificate, and the STS certificate are each valid for five years from the date of issuance (LBA fees FAQ).
Once issued, the A2 certificate must be carried on every flight, either electronically or in printed form (LBA requirements for remote pilots). Keep a copy on your phone and a printout in your kit so you can show it on request.
The A2 flight rules in detail
The flight rules the A2 certificate unlocks are set by EASA. You must not overfly uninvolved people, you must keep a minimum horizontal distance of 30 m from them, reducible to 5 m when the drone's low-speed function is active, and you must stay at or below the 120 m maximum altitude that applies across the whole open category (EASA open category). These distances are a floor, not a free pass: they apply on top of geographic restrictions such as no-fly zones and geographical zones, which can ban flying outright in some areas regardless of how far you keep from people.
⚠️ The 5 m rule depends on your drone, not just your certificate
The reduction from 30 m to 5 m is only available when your C2 drone's low-speed function is switched on. If your aircraft does not offer a working low-speed mode, you stay at 30 m even with the A2 certificate. Always confirm your specific model supports the feature before you plan a close-in flight near people.
The A2 certificate is recognized EU-wide, so you can use it across member states under the same open category rules. If your work goes beyond what the open category permits, for example flying that requires the specific category or beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations, the A2 certificate is not enough. Our overview of the EU drone regulations for FPV and advanced pilots in 2026 explains where the open category ends and the specific category begins.
A2 or stay on A1/A3?
For C0 and C1 drones there is no benefit at all, since those already fall under A1 with the free A1/A3 proof. For a C2 drone, the honest answer is: it depends on how you fly. If you are happy keeping 150 m from people, the free A1/A3 proof already lets you operate a C2 drone under A3 rules, and you can skip A2 entirely.
The A2 certificate earns its 30 EUR fee when you own a C2 drone and routinely need to work close to people, the typical situation for real estate photography, event coverage, or building and roof inspection, where 150 m of clearance is simply not realistic. For those use cases the 30 m (or 5 m) distance is the difference between getting the shot legally and not flying at all. For more on choosing and using a drone for these jobs, see our drone guides hub.
Your step-by-step checklist
- Check your drone class. A2 only makes sense for a C2 drone under 4 kg that you want to fly near people. C0 and C1 drones already fall under A1, and you can fly any drone up to 25 kg under A3 with the free A1/A3 proof if you keep 150 m clear.
- Get the A1/A3 competency certificate first. Free online training plus an online exam (40 questions, 9 subject areas, 75% to pass), 25.00 EUR for the certificate, valid 5 years. This is a mandatory prerequisite for A2.
- Carry out practical self-training under A3 operating conditions, ideally in open terrain away from people, then submit the self-declaration to confirm you have done it.
- Pass the additional theory exam at an LBA-designated testing center (Pruefstelle fuer Fernpiloten): 30 multiple-choice questions across 3 subject areas, at least 75% correct to pass. Note that the center charges its own training and exam fees.
- Apply for the A2 certificate with the LBA. Pay the 30.00 EUR issuance fee; the certificate is valid 5 years and must be carried electronically or printed on every flight.
- Fly within the A2 rules. No overflight of uninvolved people, 30 m horizontal distance (5 m in low-speed mode), maximum 120 m above ground, and always respect no-fly and geographical zones.
Quick reference: A2 certificate at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite | EU A1/A3 competency certificate (25.00 EUR, valid 5 years) |
| Practical self-training | Under A3 conditions, then self-declaration (no external exam) |
| Theory exam | 30 questions, 3 subject areas, 75% to pass, at a designated PStF |
| LBA issuance fee | 30.00 EUR (plus the test center's own charges) |
| Validity | 5 years from date of issuance |
| Flight rules | C2 under 4 kg, 30 m from people (5 m low-speed), max 120 m |
One last reminder: the A2 certificate only proves your piloting competence. Operator registration to get your e-ID, labeling every drone with it, and mandatory liability insurance remain separate obligations. You need all three, registration, insurance, and the right competency, together before a flight is legal. Our German drone registration guide covers those obligations in full.
Bottom line: the A2 path is A1/A3 first, then practical self-training, then a 30-question exam at a designated test center, then a 30.00 EUR certificate valid for 5 years. It is only worth it for C2 drone owners who fly close to people. Everyone else can stay on the free A1/A3 proof.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the A2 certificate and the A1/A3 competency proof?
The A1/A3 competency proof is the entry level: free online training and an online exam of 40 questions across 9 subject areas that you can take at home. It lets you fly C0/C1 drones under A1 and any drone up to 25 kg under A3 (150 m distance). The A2 Fernpiloten-Zeugnis builds on it: you need the A1/A3 proof first, plus practical self-training and an additional theory exam of 30 questions across 3 subject areas at a designated test center. Only the A2 certificate lets you fly C2 drones closer to people, down to 30 m or 5 m in low-speed mode.
How much does the A2 remote pilot certificate cost in Germany?
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt charges 30.00 EUR to issue the EU A2 Fernpiloten-Zeugnis. Before that you also pay 25.00 EUR for the required A1/A3 competency certificate. Note that the A2 theory exam is taken at an LBA-designated testing center (Pruefstelle fuer Fernpiloten), and those centers charge their own prices for training and exam administration on top of the LBA fee.
How many questions are in the A2 exam and how many do I need correct?
According to the LBA, the additional A2 theory exam consists of 30 multiple-choice questions across 3 subject areas. You pass if you answer at least 75% correctly. You take the exam at an LBA-designated testing center for remote pilots (Pruefstelle fuer Fernpiloten, PStF), not online at home as with A1/A3. The LBA publishes a current list of designated test centers on its website.
How long is the A2 certificate valid?
The EU A2 Fernpiloten-Zeugnis is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance, just like the A1/A3 competency certificate and the STS certificate. After that you renew it. The LBA issues the certificate electronically as a PDF by email, and you must carry it either electronically or printed on every flight.
How close to people can I fly with the A2 certificate?
With the A2 certificate and a C2 drone (under 4 kg), EASA requires a minimum horizontal distance of 30 m from uninvolved people. This can be reduced to 5 m when the low-speed function of your drone is active. Overflying uninvolved people remains prohibited, and the maximum altitude is 120 m above ground level, as across the whole open category. For comparison, without A2 you would have to operate the same C2 drone under A3 rules at 150 m distance.
Do I still need to register and insure my drone even with the A2 certificate?
Yes. The A2 certificate only proves your piloting competence. Separately, you must register as a UAS operator with the LBA to get your e-ID and mark every drone with it, and you need liability insurance. You can find the full process for registration, insurance and the required A1/A3 proof in our guide to registering a drone in Germany in 2026. Only registration, insurance and the right competency together make your flight legal.