Can you fly a drone to film or photograph in Italy?

In the open category the drone must stay less than 120 m from the ground.

Sources: ENAC: drone operators (Italian) · ENAC: open category limitations (Italian)

The open category covers hobby flying and some low-risk commercial work without an authorisation, so a paid shoot that stays within open-category limits needs no ENAC authorisation. Flights outside those limits, such as beyond line of sight, over 25 kg or above 120 m, fall under the specific category. They need an EASA standard-scenario declaration, an ENAC operational authorisation or an ENAC LUC certificate.

Sources: ENAC: open subcategories A1, A2 and A3 (Italian) · ENAC: open category (Italian) · ENAC: specific category (Italian)

The open category never allows drones heavier than 25 kg, and the pilot must keep the drone in direct sight without visual aids. In subcategory A2 (C2 drones), keep at least 30 m from uninvolved people, or 5 m with low-speed mode on. In subcategory A3, stay 150 m from residential, industrial, commercial and recreational areas.

Sources: ENAC: open category limitations (Italian) · ENAC: open subcategories A1, A2 and A3 (Italian)

You need a remote pilot certificate to fly. Pilots of camera drones under 250 g are exempt from the certificate, but still have to register, carry insurance and check no-fly zones. Third-party liability insurance suited to the type of flying is required in the open category; certified toys are exempt from these requirements.

Sources: ENAC: general requirements for the open category (Italian)

Every drone flown in the specific category must have an active, up-to-date remote ID system that broadcasts information such as the operator code, the drone's position and height, and the pilot's position.

Sources: ENAC: specific category (Italian)

Visitors from outside the EASA countries register as a drone operator with the aviation authority of the first EASA country they fly in, and that registration is then valid in the other EASA countries.

If you are a resident of a non-EASA Member State and plan to visit and operate a drone in an EASA Member State, you need to register as a drone operator with the National Aviation Authority of the first EASA state you intend to operate from. … Once you are registered in your host EASA Member State, this will be valid across the rest of EASA Member States.

Sources: EASA: travelling with drones

Checked against the official source on October 8, 2026.

If your drone weighs under 250 g and has no audio or video recording device, you don't have to register as an operator, and pilots of camera drones under 250 g don't need the pilot certificate, though they must still meet ENAC's other requirements.

Per i piloti di UAS di peso inferiore ai 250 grammi, dotati di telecamera, non è obbligatorio il conseguimento dell’attestato del pilota (punto 2 del precedente elenco). Permane l’obbligo del soddisfacimento dei requisiti di cui ai punti 1, 3 e 4, nonché il rispetto della regolamentazione Europea relativa alla sottocategoria A1. … Se il drone pesa meno di 250g e non è dotato di dispositivi per la registrazione audio o video, non è obbligatoria la registrazione come operatore.

Sources: ENAC: general requirements for the open category (Italian)

Checked against the official source on October 8, 2026.