BLOG POSTS
Drone licence in Cyprus: how to get your A1/A3 certificate step by step
In short
- To fly a drone with a camera in Cyprus you need the A1/A3 certificate, valid in all 31 EASA countries.
- The exam is online on the DCA drone system: 40 questions, 75% to pass, 3 attempts.
- The fee is 15 euros.
- The A2 needs a second exam in person at an approved centre.
- Before you fly: register online and check the official geo-zones map.
To fly a drone in Cyprus you almost always need the A1/A3 certificate, issued by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) after an online exam. This guide covers the steps, the A2 certificate, registration, insurance and where you can fly, plus the option of sitting the exam in another EASA country.
The certificate is European: once you have it, it is valid in all 31 EASA countries, Cyprus included.
Who needs a drone licence in Cyprus
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 DCA A1/A3 exam step by step
- Log in to the DCA drone system.
- Pay the fee of 15 euros.
- Sit the exam: 40 multiple-choice questions, with 3 attempts in total.
- Pass with at least 75%.
- Receive your certificate. It is valid for 5 years; you renew it by retaking the online exam before it expires.
The minimum age is 16; younger pilots may only fly under the supervision of someone aged 16 or over. Source: DCA, Open category.
The alternative: sit the exam in another EASA country
You do not have to take the A1/A3 exam in Cyprus. Any aviation authority in the 31 EASA countries can issue it, and it is valid in all of them, Cyprus included.
In Spain, for example, the A1/A3 exam run by AESA is free, online and open to any nationality. 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 Cyprus
The A2 builds on your A1/A3 and adds practical self-training and a second theory exam.
| A1/A3 certificate | Required, plus a declaration of practical self-training |
|---|---|
| Exam | 30 multiple-choice questions, in person at a DCA-approved exam centre |
| Validity | 5 years, revalidated by attending a seminar before expiry |
Source: DCA, Open category.
Registration and geo-zones
As well as your certificate, you need to register and check the geo-zones before every flight.
- Operator registration: online on the DCA drone system. It costs 15 euros and is valid for 3 years. The number must be shown on the drone so it cannot be erased, and uploaded to Remote ID. If you live in another EU country, register there instead.
- Geo-zones: use the official DCA geo-zones map. The DCA warns that the Cyprus maps pre-installed in many drones are wrong. Flights in restricted zones need permission from the zone administrator.
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 Cyprus?
The A1/A3 exam costs 15 euros, and operator registration another 15 euros.
How many attempts do I get in the Cyprus exam?
3 attempts in total.
Is a drone certificate from another country valid in Cyprus?
Yes. A certificate issued by any EASA authority is valid in all 31 EASA countries, Cyprus included.
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.
Which drone map should I use in Cyprus?
The official DCA geo-zones map. The DCA warns that maps pre-installed in many drones are wrong.
Where is the A2 exam taken in Cyprus?
In person at one of the exam centres approved by the DCA.
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.