Free permit cost guide
What a drone flight permit really costs in Europe
Drone permits in Europe cost anything from zero to several thousand euros. The total depends on three things: the type of approval, the country, and whether you prepare it yourself or hand it to a specialist. Here are realistic numbers for each. We obtain the drone flight permits your operation needs in any of the 31 EASA countries.
Cost breakdown
What each permit type costs
The authority fee is only part of the cost. Your time, and the delays caused by resubmissions, are usually the bigger part.
| Permit type | Authority fee | DIY effort | With EU Drone Port |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open category registration | €0 to €30 | 1 to 2 hours | Not needed |
| CTR authorisation (single flight) | €0 to €50 | 2 to 8 hours | €95 + VAT per flight |
| STS declaration | €0 to €200 | 10 to 20 hours | Manual from €450 + VAT |
| PDRA authorisation | €0 to €500 | 20 to 40 hours | From €1,950 + VAT |
| SORA authorisation | €100 to €2,000 | 80 to 200 hours | From €2,950 + VAT |
Authority fees are typical ranges and change over time. Check the current fee schedule of the national authority before you apply.
Authority fees vary by country
Several countries charge nothing for STS declarations and most PDRA applications. Others charge administrative fees. A SORA can carry assessment fees.
Your time is the real cost
A first PDRA application with no prior experience often takes 20 to 40 hours, and a first SORA can take far more, before any resubmission.
Resubmissions cost weeks
Incomplete or inconsistent applications go back to the queue. Each round adds weeks before you can take the job.
Insurance and training
Add third-party liability insurance and any pilot training the approval requires, such as an STS certificate for standard scenarios.
Per-flight costs
Flights in controlled or restricted airspace may need coordination every time. Budget for it per flight, not once a year.
Multi-country operations
Flying in several countries means extra notifications or applications. Budget per country of operation.
The cheapest route is the right one
A PDRA is faster and cheaper than a full SORA when your operation fits its conditions. Check the PDRAs before you commission a SORA.
What you’ll get
The free permit cost guide
- Authority fees by permit type
- The real effort of a DIY application
- What expert support costs
- How to avoid paying twice
- How to get a fixed quote
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Authority fees, real effort and expert prices for every permit type.
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See flight coordination →EU Drone Port flight services
From planning to clearance
EU Drone Port coordinates flights, writes operations manuals and obtains authorisations across 31 countries.
Most requested
Flight Coordination
Send us date, time, coordinates, drone and pilot. We handle the airspace coordination until you have clearance, including in restricted zones.
- Per-flight coordination
- Authority and airspace notifications handled
- Restricted zones included
- 31 countries
€95 per flight + VAT, billed monthly
STS Operations Manual
We write your complete STS operations manual for STS-01, STS-02 or both, tailored to your operation and country.
- All required sections
- STS-01 and/or STS-02 covered
- Country-specific authority format
- Delivered in 5 business days
From €450 + VAT
PDRA Authorisation
We prepare the full PDRA application, submit it with you and answer the inspector until the authorisation is granted.
- All PDRA types
- 100+ PDRAs approved
- Operations manual included
- Support until approval
From €1,950 + VAT
More free guides
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FAQ
Questions about drone permit costs
How much does a drone permit cost in Europe?
From €0 for open category registration in some countries to several thousand euros for a SORA with expert support. The approval type and country decide the authority fee.
Is an STS declaration free?
In several countries the authority charges no fee for an STS declaration. You still need an STS operations manual and pilots with an STS certificate.
How much does a PDRA cost?
Authority fees range from nothing to a few hundred euros. Expert preparation with EU Drone Port starts from €1,950 + VAT, including the operations manual.
How much does a SORA cost?
Authority fees range from about €100 to €2,000 depending on the country. Expert preparation with EU Drone Port starts from €2,950 + VAT.
Is it cheaper to do the application myself?
The fee is the same either way. Doing it yourself saves the service cost but takes many hours and often needs resubmissions, which can delay paid work by weeks.
How much does flight coordination cost?
EU Drone Port coordinates flights in controlled and restricted airspace for €95 + VAT per flight, billed monthly, across 31 countries.
Last updated: October 2026. Source: national authority fee schedules and EU Drone Port project data.
Know the cost before you apply. Free guide.
Authority fees, effort and expert prices for every permit type.
€95 + VAT
Per coordinated flight
€1,950 + VAT
PDRA from
€2,950 + VAT
SORA from
31
Countries covered