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Drone licence in Estonia: how to get your A1/A3 certificate step by step
In short
- To fly a drone with a camera in Estonia you need the A1/A3 certificate, valid in all 31 EASA countries.
- The exam is online: 40 questions, 75% to pass, with a state fee of 10 euros.
- You can also sit it with another EASA authority, for example in Spain, where it is free and online.
- The A2 needs a second exam, also 10 euros.
- Before you fly: register in LOIS and check the EANS map.
To fly a drone in Estonia you almost always need the A1/A3 certificate, issued by the Estonian Transport Administration (Transpordiamet) 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, Estonia included.
Who needs a drone licence in Estonia
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 Transport Administration A1/A3 exam step by step
- Apply in LOIS, the Transport Administration’s aviation e-service, and pay the state fee of 10 euros.
- Sit the online exam: 40 multiple-choice questions.
- Pass with at least 75%.
- Receive your certificate. It is valid for 5 years.
The minimum age is 16, with exceptions for C0 drones, small self-built drones and supervised flights. Source: Transpordiamet, remote pilot certificates.
The alternative: sit the exam in another EASA country
You do not have to take the A1/A3 exam in Estonia. Any aviation authority in the 31 EASA countries can issue it, and it is valid in all of them, Estonia 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 Estonia
The A2 builds on your A1/A3 and adds a second theory exam.
| A1/A3 certificate | An Estonian pass is added automatically; a foreign certificate is uploaded with the application |
|---|---|
| Booking | Apply in LOIS; after approval you receive a link to book the exam |
| Exam | 30 questions, pass mark 75%, at a Transport Administration service bureau or a certified training organisation |
| Login | Smart-ID or Mobile-ID |
| Fee | 10 euros |
| Validity | 5 years |
Source: Transpordiamet, remote pilot certificates.
Registration, insurance and where you can fly
As well as your certificate, you need to register as an operator before your first flight.
- Operator registration: in LOIS, for drones over 250 g and for lighter drones with a camera. It costs 10 euros and is renewed every year. Display the first 16 characters of your number on the drone. Source: Transpordiamet, operator registration.
- Insurance: mandatory for drones over 20 kg and for Specific category flights.
- Where you can fly: check the EANS map when you plan and again just before you fly.
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 Estonia?
The state fee is 10 euros for the A1/A3 exam and 10 euros for the A2. In Spain the A1/A3 exam is free.
Is a foreign drone certificate valid in Estonia?
Yes. A certificate from any EASA country is valid in Estonia, with no need for an Estonian exam.
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 Estonia?
For drones over 20 kg and for Specific category flights.
How do I log in to the Estonian A2 exam?
With Smart-ID or Mobile-ID. If you cannot use them, contact the Transport Administration at least 2 working days before the exam.
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.