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Drone licence in Hungary: how to get your A1/A3 certificate step by step
In short
- To fly a drone with a camera in Hungary you need the A1/A3 certificate, valid in all 31 EASA countries.
- In Hungary the exam is taken in person at a KAV exam centre: 40 questions in 40 minutes, 12,700 HUF.
- You can sit it online with another EASA authority instead, for example in Spain, where it is free.
- Every drone must be registered, and insurance is mandatory above 250 g.
- Check zones and flights in MyDroneSpace.
To fly a drone in Hungary you almost always need the A1/A3 certificate. Unlike most EASA countries, the Hungarian exam is not taken online: you sit it in person at an exam centre of the Transport Exam Centre (KAV). This guide covers the steps, the A2 certificate, registration, insurance and the flight rules, plus the option of sitting the exam online in another EASA country.
The certificate is European: once you have it, it is valid in all 31 EASA countries, Hungary included.
Who needs a drone licence in Hungary
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 A1/A3 exam in Hungary step by step
- Book and pay for the exam through e-Titán, the booking system of the KAV exam centre. Dates are available more than 8 working days after payment.
- Sit the exam in person at a KAV exam centre, on a computer: 40 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes. Bring a photo ID.
- Pass with at least 30 correct answers (75%). You can retake it no sooner than 3 working days later.
- Receive your certificate by email. It is valid for 5 years.
The fee is 12,700 HUF and the minimum age is 16. Sources: KAV, drone exams and KAV, fees.
The alternative: sit the exam online in another EASA country
You do not have to take the A1/A3 exam in Hungary. Any aviation authority in the 31 EASA countries can issue it, and it is valid in all of them, Hungary included.
In Spain, for example, the A1/A3 exam run by AESA is free, online and open to any nationality. You can do it from home instead of travelling to an exam centre. 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 Hungary
The A2 builds on your A1/A3 and adds practical self-training and a second theory exam.
| A1/A3 certificate | A valid certificate, age 16 and a signed self-training declaration |
|---|---|
| Exam | In person at a KAV exam centre: 30 questions in 30 minutes, pass with 23 correct answers |
| Validity | 5 years |
Source: KAV, drone exams.
Registration, insurance and flight rules
Hungary has some of the strictest drone rules in the EASA area.
- Registration: every drone must be registered with the civil aviation authority, whatever its weight; only toys under 120 g are exempt. Show the registration number on the drone and load it into its remote ID. An operator registration made in another EU country is not repeated.
- Insurance: mandatory above 250 g, with minimum cover of 3 million HUF per event for drones from 250 g to 4 kg, and 5 million HUF for drones from 4 to 20 kg. Source: Government Decree 39/2001.
- Zones and flights: check zones in HungaroControl’s MyDroneSpace. Flying over populated areas needs an ad hoc airspace permit (eseti légtér) from the authority, requested well in advance.
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
Can I take the Hungarian drone exam online?
No. In Hungary the A1/A3 exam is taken in person at a KAV exam centre. You can sit it online with another EASA authority instead, for example in Spain.
How much does the Hungarian drone exam cost?
12,700 HUF. In Spain the A1/A3 exam is free.
Do I need to register my drone in Hungary?
Yes. Every drone must be registered, whatever its weight; only toys under 120 g are exempt.
Is drone insurance mandatory in Hungary?
Yes, above 250 g, with minimum cover of 3 million HUF per event up to 4 kg.
Is a drone certificate from another country valid in Hungary?
Yes. A certificate issued by any EASA authority is valid in all 31 EASA countries, Hungary 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.
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.