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Drone licence in the Netherlands: how to get your A1/A3 certificate step by step
In short
- To fly a drone with a camera in the Netherlands you need the A1/A3 certificate, valid in all 31 EASA countries.
- The Dutch exam is taken online through a recognised flight school, and RDW issues the certificate using DigiD.
- You can also sit the exam with another EASA authority, for example in Spain, where it is free and online.
- The A2 certificate needs a second exam, also through a recognised school.
- Before you fly: register with RDW and check the no-fly zones, which are dense in the Netherlands.
To fly a drone in the Netherlands you almost always need the A1/A3 certificate. Unlike most EASA countries, the Dutch exam is not run by the authority itself but by flight schools recognised by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. This guide covers the steps, the costs, the A2 certificate, RDW registration, and a little-known option: sitting the exam with another EASA authority.
The certificate is European: once you have it, it is valid in all 31 EASA countries, the Netherlands included.
Who needs a drone licence in the Netherlands
You need the A1/A3 certificate to fly any drone with a camera, even one under 250 grams. Only toy drones without a camera are exempt.
The A1/A3 certificate lets you fly in the Open category:
- A1: with light drones (under 250 g, or class C0 and C1), near uninvolved people but never over crowds.
- A3: with drones up to 25 kg, at least 150 metres from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas.
If you want to fly a class C2 drone closer to people, you will also need the A2 certificate after your A1/A3.
The Dutch A1/A3 exam step by step
- Choose a recognised exam school. The Ministry has authorised a small number of Dutch flight schools to run the online exam. Each sets its own exam fee.
- Sit the exam online using the link the school emails you.
- Apply for your certificate with RDW. Log in with DigiD and pay the RDW fee of 10 euros by iDEAL. Without DigiD, you can apply in person at an RDW location with your ID.
- Receive your certificate. RDW issues it in Dutch and English, with a QR code. It is valid for 5 years.
You can renew from 90 days before expiry with a refresher and a shorter test. Once it has expired, you have to sit the full exam again. Sources: RDW, applying for a drone licence and Rijksoverheid, renewing.
The alternative: sit the exam in another EASA country
You do not have to take the A1/A3 exam in the Netherlands. Any aviation authority in the 31 EASA countries can issue it, and the Dutch government confirms that drone licences are valid in all EU member states. RDW also accepts a foreign A1/A3 as the basis for a Dutch A2.
In Spain, for example, the A1/A3 exam run by AESA is free, online and open to any nationality. You avoid the school fee and do not need DigiD, and your browser’s translator is enough to get through it.
Our course includes links to the official exam in every EASA country, with instructions on how to register.
The A2 certificate in the Netherlands
The A2 builds on your A1/A3 and adds practical self-training and a second theory exam.
| A1/A3 certificate | From the Netherlands or any other EASA country |
|---|---|
| Practical training | Self-training in A3 conditions |
| Exam | Theory exam through a recognised Dutch exam school |
| Application | With RDW, using DigiD, 10 euros |
| Validity | 5 years |
Source: Government.nl, drone licence.
RDW registration, insurance and no-fly zones
As well as your certificate, you need to register as an operator before your first flight.
- Operator registration: with RDW, for any drone with a camera or weighing 250 g or more. It costs 23 euros and is valid for 1 year; renewal costs 13 euros. Display your operator number on the drone. If you live in another EU country, register there instead. Source: RDW, operator number.
- Insurance: for private users it is only mandatory for drones of 20 kg or more. For lighter drones it is not compulsory but strongly recommended. Source: RDW, insurance.
- No-fly zones: the Netherlands has many, including airports, royal and government buildings, military sites, nature areas such as the Wadden Sea, railways and major roads. Check the GoDrone map before every flight.
Your certificate and your registration are two different things: the certificate is about you as a pilot, the registration is about you as the drone’s operator.
How to prepare for the exam
The quickest route is an online course that takes you straight to the official exam.
The EU Drone Port A1/A3 course is built for exactly that:
- Video lessons online, whenever you like.
- 5 mock exams and a final exam.
- Links to the official exam in every EASA country.
- Lifetime access, handy for renewal after 5 years.
EU Drone Port is an Official Designated Training Entity. The course prepares you for the exam: the certificate is issued by the authority where you sit it.
Want to test yourself first? Download our free 25 practice questions for A1/A3 and A2.
For the A2, there is the A2 course, with mock exams and a guide to practical self-training.
Online course
Prepare for your A1/A3 exam
Video lessons online at your own pace, 5 mock exams and links to the official exam in every EASA country. A course by an Official Designated Training Entity.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a drone licence cost in the Netherlands?
RDW charges 10 euros to issue the certificate, plus the exam fee set by the school. In other EASA countries, such as Spain, the exam is free.
Can I get a Dutch drone licence without DigiD?
Yes, by applying in person at an RDW location with your ID. Alternatively, you can sit the exam with another EASA authority.
Is a drone certificate from another country valid in the Netherlands?
Yes. A certificate issued by any EASA authority is valid in all 31 EASA countries, the Netherlands included.
How long is the drone certificate valid?
The A1/A3 and A2 certificates are valid for 5 years.
Do I need a licence for a drone under 250 grams?
Yes, if it has a camera. Only toy drones without a camera are exempt.
Is drone insurance mandatory in the Netherlands?
For private users, only for drones of 20 kg or more. For lighter drones it is recommended.
How long does it take to prepare?
With a structured online course, a few hours is enough: our A1/A3 course takes about three and a half hours, mock exams included.