Drone Registration and the A1/A3 Exam in Poland (2026): Step by Step

Two Separate Duties: Operator and Pilot

Polish drone rules follow EU Regulations 2019/947 and 2019/945. National rules for civil drones ceased to apply on 1 January 2021. Since then the law distinguishes two roles. The operator is responsible for the drone and its use, so the operator registers and the operator's number goes on the airframe. The remote pilot flies the drone and needs the competence, that is a completed training course and exam. Usually one person holds both roles, but the operator number and the pilot number are two different things.

Both are handled in the National Drone Information System (KSID) at drony.gov.pl. According to figures cited by Poland's Financial Ombudsman, more than 400,000 drone operators are registered in Poland.

You will find all drones in the catalogue in the drones overview.

Step 1: Check Whether You Must Register

According to Poland's Civil Aviation Authority (ULC), registration in the open category applies to anyone flying a drone that:

• has a maximum take-off mass of 250 g or more, or can transfer more than 80 J of energy to a person on impact,
• carries a sensor able to capture personal data, such as a camera.

In the specific category registration applies regardless of mass. Only drones under 250 g without a camera or other personal-data sensors, and toys under Directive 2009/48/EC, are exempt.

In practice almost every drone with a camera requires operator registration. That includes the lightest models: the DJI Neo 2 weighs 151 g according to its maker, the HOVERAir X1 PRO 191.5 g and the DJI Flip 249 g. All of them have a camera, so the operator needs a number. We cover this group in detail in “Drones Under 250 g in Poland”.

Step 2: Register as an Operator at drony.gov.pl

You log in to the portal with Poland's trusted profile (profil zaufany). Registration takes place in the e-Rejestracja module, which also manages your data, permits and qualifications. ULC lists the information required:

1. first name, surname and date of birth, or for a company its name and identification number,
2. the operator's address,
3. e-mail address and phone number,
4. the insurance policy number, where insurance is required by law,
5. any operational authorisations held, if you fly in the specific category.

Registration is free (as of 16 October 2026). Once it is complete you receive an operator number starting with "PL".

Step 3: Operator Number on the Drone and in Remote ID

The operator number goes on every drone you own, usually as a sticker. Drones in classes C1, C2, C3, C5 and C6 must also broadcast direct remote identification (Remote ID). The signal includes the operator registration number, the drone's serial number, its position and height, and the pilot's position or the take-off point. That is why the operator number is also entered in the drone's app. The requirement does not apply to classes C0 and C4, tethered drones, or drones without a class placed on the market before 1 January 2024.

Step 4: A1/A3 Online Training and Exam

Training and the exam for subcategories A1 and A3 of the open category are fully electronic in the ULC system. ULC states plainly that anyone flying a drone heavier than 250 g must complete the online training and pass the online test. For class C0 drones it is enough to read the manufacturer's instructions, but ULC and EASA recommend the free training for C0 pilots too.

The A1/A3 exam follows a common EU format. Finland's aviation authority Traficom describes it as 40 multiple-choice questions. You need at least 75% of all answers right and at least 50% in each subject. Questions cover air safety, airspace restrictions, regulations, privacy and insurance, among other topics.

In Poland the exam is free and the certificate is valid for 5 years (as of 16 October 2026). Once you pass, you may fly class C0 and C1 drones in subcategory A1 and class C0–C4 drones in subcategory A3, far from people.

Step 5: The A2 Exam if You Fly a C2 Drone Near People

The A1/A3 certificate alone does not allow you to fly a class C2 drone close to uninvolved people. In subcategory A2 you must keep 30 m from them, or 5 m in low-speed mode. The A2 certificate requires:

• a passed A1/A3,
• practical self-training under subcategory A3 conditions,
• an additional theory exam at an entity designated by the President of ULC.

ULC publishes the list of designated exam providers. There is no official fee and providers set their own prices. In March 2026 Antyweb listed sample prices of PLN 90 (≈ EUR 21), 120, 189 and 390. The A2 certificate is valid for 5 years. We explain classes and subcategories in more detail in “Drone Classes C0–C6 and Subcategories A1, A2, A3 Explained for Buyers”.

Step 6: Operator Insurance and Flight Notification

Since 13 November 2025 the operator of a drone with a take-off mass between 250 g and 20 kg must hold third-party liability insurance. Flying without a policy carries a penalty of PLN 4,000 (≈ EUR 915). You can add the policy number to your operator profile in KSID. We cover details, prices and exclusions in “Mandatory Drone Liability Insurance in Poland Since 13 November 2025”.

Before every flight you file a check-in in the DroneTower app of the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency (PANSA) and close it after landing. The app also shows zones where flying is banned or needs permission. More in “Where You Cannot Fly a Drone in Poland”.

What the Formalities Cost

The figures for the A2 exam, STS courses and insurance are market prices reported by Antyweb in March 2026, not official fees. Since 1 January 2026 the Polish national standard scenarios (NSTS) no longer apply, so professional flights outside the open category require the EU scenarios STS-01 or STS-02 or an authorisation from ULC.

Age and Penalties

The minimum age for operators and pilots in Poland is 14 (since 27 February 2025). Younger people may fly only under the supervision of a qualified adult. A guide for residents published by the city of Gliwice, based on information from ULC and PANSA, lists an administrative fine of up to PLN 10,000 (≈ EUR 2,290) for flying without registration, without the required qualifications or in breach of geographical zone conditions.

This guide summarises the rules but is not legal advice. Before buying a drone and flying for the first time, check the current notices at drony.gov.pl and ulc.gov.pl.