Flying a drone in Austria runs on the same EU rulebook as the rest of Europe, but the paperwork goes through one national authority: Austro Control. Before your first flight you usually have to arrange mandatory liability insurance, register as an operator on the dronespace.at portal for a 46.80 EUR fee, label every drone with your operator number, and pass the free A1/A3 competency test. This guide walks through each step for 2026 with the exact fees, age limits, and rules, and links every figure to Austro Control, EASA, or EU law so you can verify it yourself.
The one thing to remember: registration and the competency test are two different things. You register the operator (you, the owner) once for your whole fleet, and you separately prove your piloting competence per subcategory. Most camera-drone owners need both, plus insurance, before the first flight.
Austria runs on EASA rules, but registration goes through Austro Control
The EU open category and its A1, A2, and A3 subcategories are defined Europe-wide under Regulation (EU) 2019/947, so the flying rules in Austria are identical to those in every other EASA state (EASA open category). What is handled nationally is the administration: operator registration, the operator number, and the competency tests all go through Austro Control's dronespace.at portal (Austro Control RPAS). For the broader European framework, see our overview of the EU drone regulations for 2026, and our drone regulations hub collects the country-by-country guides.
Who must register and who must pass the test
Operator registration is required for drones with a take-off mass from 250 g, and also for lighter drones that carry a sensor able to capture personal data, which covers a typical camera drone. Devices up to 249 g without a class mark and without such a sensor fly under A1 with no registration (Austro Control FAQ). The competency test, the Drohnenführerschein, is separately mandatory for drones over 250 g take-off mass (Austro Control FAQ).
⚠️ Why a sub-250 g camera drone still needs registering
A popular sub-250 g model like a DJI Mini is light enough to dodge the weight trigger, but its camera is a sensor that can capture personal data. That brings it under the second trigger, so the operator must still register and label it, even though the competency test does not apply at that weight. Registration and the test are separate questions: the camera drone needs the first but not the second.
Step 1: Sort the mandatory liability insurance first
Insurance is not optional, and it is worth arranging before anything else. You must hold third-party liability insurance of at least 750,000 SDR that is valid in Austria, a minimum rooted in Regulation (EC) 785/2004 and reinforced by the Austrian Luftfahrtgesetz (Regulation (EC) 785/2004). You do not upload the policy document during registration, but you do have to enter the insurance policy number, so the cover has to exist first (Austro Control dronespace).
For purely private use, an add-on to your existing private liability policy may be enough, but many standard policies exclude drones, so check the wording. For commercial use you generally need a dedicated drone policy. Our drone insurance comparison walks through how to pick a policy that meets the SDR minimum and is valid where you fly.
Step 2: Register as an operator on dronespace.at
Operator registration is done online at dronespace.at/registrierung. The fee is 46.80 EUR including VAT, and the registration is valid for 3 years, after which it must be renewed (Austro Control FAQ). You must be at least 18 years old to register as an operator (Betreiber) (Austro Control FAQ). At the end of the process you receive an operator registration number that goes on every drone you fly.
Step 3: Label every drone with the operator number
The operator registration number must be displayed clearly visibly on all drones the operator uses (Austro Control FAQ). One number covers your entire fleet, so the same identifier goes on every airframe you own. Where the drone supports a Remote ID system, enter the operator number there as well. For the Remote ID side of compliance, see our Remote ID compliance guide.
Step 4: Pass the free A1/A3 online competency test
Austro Control provides the A1/A3 online training and exam free of charge. The exam is 40 multiple-choice questions, and the resulting certificate is valid for five years under UAS.OPEN.070 of Regulation (EU) 2019/947, recognised across all EASA member states (Austro Control Drohnenführerschein, UAS.OPEN.070). The minimum age to obtain the licence is 16; younger pilots may fly only under the direct supervision of a qualified remote pilot (Austro Control FAQ). This proof is required for drones over 250 g flying under A1 or A3.
Step 5 (optional): Upgrade to the A2 certificate
If you want to fly C2 drones (under 4 kg) closer to uninvolved people, you need the A2 certificate of remote pilot competency. The A2 exam costs 69.60 EUR and consists of 30 multiple-choice questions (Austro Control Drohnenführerschein). It lets you hold 30 m from uninvolved people, reduced to 5 m in low-speed mode, instead of the A3 distance of 150 m. Like the A1/A3 proof, the A2 certificate is valid for five years under Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (Regulation (EU) 2019/947). If your drone is sub-250 g or you are happy keeping the 150 m A3 distance, you can skip it.
How the subcategories map to your drone
Most recreational and light commercial flying happens in the EU open category, which caps flights at 120 m above ground level (Austro Control). Within it, the subcategory decides how close to people you can 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, up to 25 kg | 150 m from people and urban areas | A1/A3 proof |
These thresholds come straight from EASA: A1 covers C0 and C1 drones with no flying over crowds; A2 covers C2 drones under 4 kg at 30 m from uninvolved people (5 m in low-speed mode); and A3 covers C3 and C4 drones up to 25 kg kept 150 m from people and from residential, commercial, industrial, or recreational areas (EASA).
Your step-by-step checklist
- Confirm the trigger. Register if the drone weighs 250 g or more, or if it is lighter but carries a sensor that can capture personal data (a camera).
- Take out liability insurance of at least 750,000 SDR, valid in Austria. A private liability add-on may suffice for purely private use; otherwise get a dedicated drone policy. You need the policy number for registration.
- Register as an operator at dronespace.at. You must be at least 18. Pay 46.80 EUR including VAT; the registration is valid for 3 years.
- Label every drone with the operator registration number, displayed clearly visibly, and enter it into the Remote ID system where the drone supports it.
- Pass the free A1/A3 online test from Austro Control (40 multiple-choice questions). Minimum age 16. The certificate is valid five years and recognised EU-wide.
- Fly within your subcategory and never above 120 m above ground level.
- Optional upgrade. For C2 operations closer to people, pass the A2 exam (30 questions, 69.60 EUR), valid five years.
Quick reference: fees, validity, and ages
| Item | Fee | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Operator registration | 46.80 EUR (incl. VAT) | 3 years |
| A1/A3 competency test | Free (40 questions) | 5 years |
| A2 certificate | 69.60 EUR (30 questions) | 5 years |
| Liability insurance | Varies by insurer | Ongoing, mandatory |
On age: you must be at least 18 to register as an operator, while the minimum age to take the Drohnenführerschein is 16; under-16s may fly only under the direct supervision of a qualified remote pilot (Austro Control FAQ). The split makes sense once you separate the roles: the operator who registers and carries the insurance is the responsible adult, while the pilot age governs who may actually control the drone. Planning to fly across the border too? Compare the rules in neighbouring Germany in our guide to registering a drone in Germany, and browse more practical walkthroughs in the drone guides section.
Bottom line: insure first (at least 750,000 SDR, valid in Austria), register as an operator on dronespace.at for 46.80 EUR, label every drone with your operator number, then pass the free A1/A3 test. A typical private camera-drone pilot pays the 46.80 EUR registration plus insurance, with the A1/A3 licence free, and only adds the 69.60 EUR A2 exam if flying C2 drones close to people.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to register a drone in Austria?
Operator registration with Austro Control costs 46.80 EUR including VAT and is valid for 3 years before it must be renewed. The A1/A3 online competency training and exam are provided free of charge. The A2 certificate exam, if you need it, costs an additional 69.60 EUR. On top of these you must hold mandatory liability insurance, whose price varies by insurer. So a typical private camera-drone pilot pays the 46.80 EUR registration plus insurance, with the A1/A3 licence free.
Do I need to register a sub-250 g camera drone in Austria?
Usually yes. Austro Control requires operator registration for drones from 250 g, and also for lighter drones that carry a sensor able to capture personal data, which includes a typical camera drone. A popular sub-250 g model with a camera therefore needs operator registration, even though it can fly under A1 without the competency test. A drone under 250 g with no camera or personal-data sensor, or a genuine toy, does not need registration.
Is drone liability insurance mandatory in Austria?
Yes. You must hold third-party liability insurance of at least 750,000 SDR that is valid in Austria, a requirement rooted in Regulation (EC) 785/2004 and reinforced by the Austrian Luftfahrtgesetz. You do not submit the policy document at registration, but you must enter the insurance policy number during the online registration process, so arrange cover first. For purely private use an add-on to your private liability policy may suffice; commercial use generally needs a dedicated drone policy. Always confirm the terms with your insurer.
How long are the Austrian drone registration and competency certificates valid?
The operator registration is valid for 3 years and must then be renewed via Austro Control. The competency proofs last longer: the A1/A3 online theoretical competency and the A2 certificate of remote pilot competency are each valid for five years under UAS.OPEN.070 of Regulation (EU) 2019/947, after which you revalidate or refresh them. Because the competency is EU-wide, an Austrian A1/A3 or A2 is recognised across EASA member states.
What is the difference between the A1/A3 licence and the A2 certificate?
The A1/A3 online competency is the basic, free proof, passed via a 40-question online exam, and it covers the lightest drones (A1, under 900 g classes) and the keep-your-distance A3 operations (up to 25 kg, 150 m from people and urban areas). The A2 certificate is an upgrade costing 69.60 EUR with a 30-question exam; it lets you fly C2 drones under 4 kg closer to uninvolved people, at 30 m or 5 m in low-speed mode. If you own a mid-size camera drone and need to operate near people, A2 is worth it; otherwise A1/A3 is enough.
How old do I have to be to register and fly a drone in Austria?
To register as a drone operator with Austro Control you must be at least 18 years old. To take the drone licence (Drohnenführerschein, the A1/A3 competency) the minimum age is 16. Younger pilots may still fly, but only under the direct supervision of a qualified remote pilot. These age rules apply to the open category: the operator who registers and holds the insurance is the responsible adult, while the pilot age governs who may actually control the drone.