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Drone licence in Iceland: how to get your A1/A3 certificate step by step
In short
- To fly a drone with a camera in Iceland you need the A1/A3 certificate, valid in all 31 EASA countries.
- The exam is online and free on flydrone.is.
- The A2 needs an in-person test, for 7,462 ISK.
- Before you fly: register on flydrone.is and check the official drone map.
- Many protected areas restrict drones, such as Þingvellir and Fjallabak.
To fly a drone in Iceland you almost always need the A1/A3 certificate, issued by the Icelandic Transport Authority (Samgöngustofa) after an online exam on flydrone.is. 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, Iceland included.
Who needs a drone licence in Iceland
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 on flydrone.is step by step
The A1/A3 exam is online on flydrone.is, and it is free.
- Go to flydrone.is, the Icelandic Transport Authority’s drone platform.
- Sit the online test.
- Receive your certificate once you pass. It is recognised in all EASA countries.
The minimum age is 16; younger pilots can fly C0 drones in A1, or fly under the supervision of a registered A1/A3 pilot. Sources: island.is, Open category and island.is, drone rules.
The alternative: sit the exam in another EASA country
You do not have to take the A1/A3 exam in Iceland. Any aviation authority in the 31 EASA countries can issue it, and it is valid in all of them, Iceland 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 Iceland
The A2 builds on your A1/A3 and adds practical self-training and a second test.
| A1/A3 certificate | Required before the A2 |
|---|---|
| Practical training | Self-conducted, following the instructions on flydrone.is |
| Test | In person at Samgöngustofa or an approved provider, with registration at prof.icetra.is |
| Fee | 7,462 ISK |
Source: Samgöngustofa, A2 test.
Registration, insurance and protected areas
As well as your certificate, you need to register and check where you can fly.
- Operator registration: on flydrone.is, for 5,863 ISK for individuals, valid for 5 years. Mark the drone with your registration number. EU and EEA visitors use their home registration; visitors from outside Europe register on flydrone.is.
- Insurance: mandatory for drones over 20 kg and for any A2, Specific or Certified operation.
- Drone map: check the official drone map before every flight. Near Keflavík, permission goes through Isavia.
- Protected areas: at Þingvellir you cannot fly in the central zone from 09:00 to 18:00, Fjallabak is closed to drones from 15 June to 15 September, and many other protected sites need permission from the Environment Agency. Source: Environment Agency, drones in protected areas.
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 Iceland?
The A1/A3 test is free. The A2 test costs 7,462 ISK, and operator registration 5,863 ISK.
Can tourists fly a drone in Iceland?
Yes. EU and EEA visitors use their home certificate and registration; visitors from outside Europe register on flydrone.is.
Is a drone certificate from another country valid in Iceland?
Yes. A certificate issued by any EASA authority is valid in all 31 EASA countries, Iceland 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.
Can I fly a drone at Þingvellir?
Not in the central zone between 09:00 and 18:00. Check the rules of each protected area before you fly.
Is drone insurance mandatory in Iceland?
For drones over 20 kg and for any A2, Specific or Certified operation.
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.