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Drone licence in Slovakia: how to get your A1/A3 certificate step by step
In short
- To fly a drone with a camera in Slovakia you need the A1/A3 certificate, valid in all 31 EASA countries.
- The Transport Authority’s exam is online: 40 questions in 60 minutes, 75% to pass, 3 attempts.
- You can also sit it with another EASA authority, for example in Spain, where it is free and online.
- The A2 exam is taken in person at Bratislava airport.
- Insurance is mandatory for A2, A3 and Specific operations.
To fly a drone in Slovakia you almost always need the A1/A3 certificate, issued by the Transport Authority (Dopravný úrad) 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, Slovakia included.
Who needs a drone licence in Slovakia
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 Authority A1/A3 exam step by step
- Apply for the online exam with the Transport Authority’s application form, by post, in person or through slovensko.sk with a qualified e-signature. Email does not count as an application.
- Receive your exam link and login details by email.
- Sit the exam: 40 questions in 60 minutes per attempt, with 3 attempts.
- Pass with at least 75%. If all 3 attempts fail, you file a new application.
- Receive your certificate as a PDF.
The minimum age is 16; under-18s need parental consent. Source: Dopravný úrad, A1/A3 exam.
The alternative: sit the exam in another EASA country
You do not have to take the A1/A3 exam in Slovakia. Any aviation authority in the 31 EASA countries can issue it, and it is valid in all of them, Slovakia 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 Slovakia
The A2 builds on your A1/A3 and adds practical self-training and a second theory exam.
| A1/A3 certificate | Proof of A1/A3, also from another country, plus a signed self-training declaration |
|---|---|
| Application | Form F473-B with proof of payment; the booking is valid once confirmed by email |
| Exam | In person at the Transport Authority at Bratislava airport, on a computer: 30 questions, pass mark 75% |
| Certificate | PDF by email and paper copy by post |
Source: Dopravný úrad, A2 exam.
Registration, insurance and zones
As well as your certificate, you need to register and insure your drone.
- Operator registration: online through slovensko.sk with a qualified e-signature, or with a paper form. It costs 35 euros and has no expiry. Show the number on every drone, without the 3 secret digits. Register in your EU country of residence.
- Insurance: mandatory for A2, A3, Specific and Certified operations. A drone over 250 g without a class label counts as A3. One policy can cover all your drones up to 20 kg. Source: Dopravný úrad, insurance.
- Zones: download the official UAS geographical zones 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 many attempts do I get in the Slovak A1/A3 exam?
3 attempts of 60 minutes. If all fail, you file a new application.
Can I apply for the Slovak exam by email?
No. You apply by post, in person or through slovensko.sk with a qualified e-signature.
Is a drone certificate from another country valid in Slovakia?
Yes. A certificate issued by any EASA authority is valid in all 31 EASA countries, Slovakia 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.
Is drone insurance mandatory in Slovakia?
For A2, A3, Specific and Certified operations. A drone over 250 g without a class label counts as A3.
Where is the A2 exam taken in Slovakia?
In person at the Transport Authority at Bratislava airport.
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.