Drone legislation in plain language 2026 – licences, registration and rules

Updated in October 2026.

Finland complies with the EU’s common drone regulations, and the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency is responsible for enforcing them Traficom. The rules may sound complicated, but for hobbyists they boil down to a few questions: do you need to register your drone, is a licence required, and where are you allowed to fly? We’ve put together the answers here in plain language. You can find the most accurate and up-to-date information on the Traficom website Droneinfo.fi-service.

In short: do you need a licence to fly a drone?

For general recreational flying no separate flight permit is required, when flying in the open category: at an altitude of less than 120 metres, within visual line of sight and away from crowds. In most cases, however, you will need two things:

• Operator registration To Traficom, if the drone weighs at least 250 g or It has a camera. In practice, this means that almost all camera drones must therefore be registered.
• Online exam (A1/A3), if the drone weighs at least 250 g. For C0 drones weighing less than 250 g, the test is voluntary but recommended.

You only need a licence or a special permit if you wish to fly at an altitude of more than 120 metres, beyond visual line of sight, over crowds of people or within a restricted airspace.

Operator and remote controller – what’s the difference?

The law distinguishes between two roles. They may be the same person, and in the case of an amateur, they usually are.

• Operator is the owner or operator of a drone who registers with Traficom. The operator must be at least 18 years old. After registration, you will receive an operator ID, which must be displayed prominently on the drone and entered into the drone’s app.
• Remote control is a person who flies a drone. In Finland, the minimum age for a remote pilot is 12 years. If necessary, the remote pilot must sit an online exam.

For example, in a family, a parent can register as the operator and a young person can fly the drone using a remote control.

How do you register a drone?

1. Register as an operator on Traficom’s online service (link available at Droneinfo.fi(from the service). You log in using your online banking credentials.
2. There is a fee for registration, and it remains valid for the period you select. Check the current price on the Traficom website.
3. Attach the operator ID to the drone in a clearly visible position, for example using a sticker under the battery compartment.
4. Enter the ID into the drone’s app (e.g. DJI Fly) as well; the drone will then transmit it during remote identification, provided the drone supports this feature.

A single registration covers all your drones, so you do not need to re-register when you change drones.

Online exams – who needs them?

Traficom's A1/A3 online test It is free of charge and can be taken at home. The test covers aviation safety, airspace, privacy and regulations. A pass is valid for five years.

Drone	Experience
C0 (less than 250 g)	Not compulsory, but recommended
C1 (under 900 g)	A1/A3 online test
C2 (under 4 kg)	A1/A3 online test + A2 supplementary test, if you are flying in the A2 sub-class
C3 and C4 (under 25 kg)	A1/A3 online test
An old drone without a C-mark, weighing less than 250 g	Not compulsory, but recommended
An old drone without a C-mark, 250 g – 25 kg	A1/A3 online test

Class C drones

From 2024 onwards, new drones must bear a Class C marking, which specifies where and how the drone may be flown.

Class	Printed from	Subclass	Example
C0	less than 250 g	A1	DJI Neo 2, DJI Flip, DJI Mini 4 Pro
C1	less than 900 g	A1	DJI Air 3
C2	less than 4 kg	A2 (or A3)	DJI Mavic 4 Pro
C3 / C4	less than 25 kg	A3	Specialised use, e.g. agriculture and forestry

Drones in classes C1, C2 and C3 must be equipped with remote identification (Remote ID), which transmits the operator ID and location during flight. This is not required for C0 drones.

Subcategories A1, A2 and A3 of the Open category

• A1 – flying close to people: C0 and C1 drones. You are also permitted to fly in built-up areas, but not over crowds. With a C1 drone, you must not plan a flight over bystanders.
• A2 – telegraphy closer to the people: C2 drones and the A2 additional qualification. A minimum distance of 30 metres must be maintained from bystanders, or 5 metres when flying in slow flight mode.
• A3 – flying far away from people: C3 and C4 drones, as well as older drones weighing more than 250 g. There must be no bystanders in the flight zone, and a minimum distance of 150 metres must be maintained from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas.

Old drones without a C-mark

Drones placed on the market before 2024 may still be used, but subject to more restrictions:

• Less than 250 g: Flying in the A1 sub-class, just as with a C0 drone.
• 250 g – 25 kg: Flying is permitted only in the A3 sub-category, i.e. far from built-up areas and people.

If you’re considering buying a second-hand drone, check its class before purchasing. We’d be happy to advise you on what the second-hand drones we sell are suitable for.

Where are drones not allowed to be flown?

• In the vicinity of airports and aerodromes, within controlled airspace without air traffic control clearance
• In permanent and temporary no-fly zones, such as certain government and defence force sites, prisons and power stations
• Near accident sites and rescue operations
• Managing crowds, such as at public events,

Always check the airport before your flight Droneinfo.fi- from the service’s map or the Aviamaps app. Restricted areas may change at short notice.

Privacy and photography

The same privacy rules apply to filming with drones as to other forms of filming. Places protected by the right to privacy, such as gardens and windows, must not be filmed without permission, and recognisable individuals should not be filmed or published without their consent.

A specific and certified category

If the flight does not fall within the limits of the open category – for example, flying at an altitude of over 120 metres, flying beyond visual line of sight or dropping objects – the following is required: a specific category authorisation from Traficom or flying in accordance with the Standard Terminal Procedure (STS). Certified category is intended for high-risk operations, such as future cargo and passenger flights.

Insurance

Compulsory insurance applies only to drones weighing over 20 kg. Liability insurance is nevertheless recommended for all hobbyists. Check whether the liability cover under your home insurance policy covers drones, as many policies either exclude drones or offer separate additional cover for them.

Checklist before your first flight

1. Register as an operator and attach the identification tag to the drone.
2. Take the online test – it’s worth doing even with the C0 drone.
3. Check the drone’s weight and C class.
4. Check the airport restrictions before every flight.
5. Stay below 120 metres and keep the drone within sight.
6. Respect other people’s privacy.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a licence to fly a drone?

No separate permit is required for recreational flying in the open category. However, camera drones must be registered with Traficom, and operators of drones weighing at least 250 g must pass an online test.

Do drones weighing less than 250 g need to be registered?

Yes, if it has a camera. Registration is not required only for drones weighing less than 250 g that do not have a camera, or for toy drones.

Do you need a drone flight permit?

Not in the open category. A separate flight permit or notification is required if you are flying in controlled airspace near an aerodrome, within a restricted area, or outside the boundaries of the open category.

What does flying a drone require of a beginner?

For camera drones weighing less than 250 g, operator registration is sufficient. We still recommend taking the online test, as it teaches you the rules quickly and is free of charge. If you’re just choosing your first drone, take a look at our comparison DJI Neo 2 vs DJI Flip.

What is a drone operator?

An operator is a person or company that is responsible for the use of a drone and is registered with Traficom. The operator must be of legal age. The drone may also be flown by someone else, such as a child aged 12 or over, under the operator’s responsibility.

Can you fly a drone in the city?

C0 and C1 drones may be flown in sub-category A1 even in built-up areas, provided you do not fly over crowds or within a restricted area. However, many city centres are close to airports or controlled airspace, so always check the map first.

Which drone should I choose?

As a first drone, we recommend a Class C0 drone weighing less than 250 g, as the regulations for this category are the least restrictive. We compared the most popular models in our articles DJI Neo 2 vs Flip and DJI Mini 5 Pro vs Mini 4 Pro. You’re also welcome to visit our shop in Kouvola – we’ll help you choose a drone and tell you more about the rules.

View all dronet.