The commercial use of unmanned aircraft in Romania

In connection with drones, EU legal regulations, particularly the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 of 24 May 2019 on the regulations and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft, were adapted and applied in Romania in order to ensure the free movement and safe use of drones.

“Pilots” holding a drone with a mass of more than 250 g, which is used for industrial/commercial purposes or is equipped with a video camera and microphone must register with the Romanian Civil Aviation Authority ROMATSA and take a theory test. Commercial drone use is therefore possible in compliance with the statutory applicable regulations.

With regard to joint airspace management (“U Space”), the geographical UAS zones in Romania are published by the Civil Aviation Authority and are therefore public information. Drones were explicitly taken into account or integrated here (see flightplan.romatsa.ro/init/drones).

In general, the following flight ban zones must be observed (also) for drones:

• Distances less than 5 km in the area of airports;
• Restricted airspace;
• Some nature reserves;
• Areas with sensor restrictions (photo/video);
• Prisons;
• Embassies;
• Military areas and Marine Ships.

Furthermore, the consent of property owners may also be required in certain cases.