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Drone licence in Finland: how to get your A1/A3 certificate step by step
In short
- To fly a drone with a camera in Finland you need the A1/A3 certificate, valid in all 31 EASA countries.
- Traficom’s exam is online: 40 questions, 75% overall and at least 50% in each subject.
- It is free if you take it together with operator registration.
- The A2 needs a supervised classroom exam, 50 euros per attempt.
- Before you fly: register with Traficom and check Fintraffic Sky.
To fly a drone in Finland you almost always need the A1/A3 certificate, issued by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) 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, Finland included.
Who needs a drone licence in Finland
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 Traficom A1/A3 exam step by step
The A1/A3 exam is taken online through Traficom’s electronic drone services.
- Log in to Traficom’s drone e-service through droneinfo.fi. Finnish residents use strong electronic identification; non-EU citizens can use the Finnish Authenticator app.
- Sit the exam: 40 multiple-choice questions covering nine subjects.
- Pass with at least 75% overall and at least 50% in each subject. You can retake it as many times as you need within one month of registering.
- Receive your certificate. It is valid for 5 years.
The exam is free when you take it together with operator registration; on its own it costs 30 to 35 euros. Sources: Traficom, A1/A3 exam and Traficom, registration and exam.
The alternative: sit the exam in another EASA country
You do not have to take the A1/A3 exam in Finland. Any aviation authority in the 31 EASA countries can issue it, and it is valid in all of them, Finland 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 Finland
The A2 builds on your A1/A3 and adds practical self-training and a second theory exam.
| A1/A3 certificate | Required, plus practical self-training declared at the exam |
|---|---|
| Exam | Supervised classroom exam at an approved organiser: 30 questions in 45 minutes |
| Fee | 50 euros per attempt |
| Validity | 5 years |
Source: Traficom, A2 exam.
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: with Traficom, for drones of 250 g or more or with a camera. It costs 40 euros for 1 year, 95 euros for 3 years or 125 euros for 5 years. Attach your operator number (FIN…) to the side of the drone. If you live in another EU country, register there instead.
- Insurance: only mandatory for drones over 20 kg, but Traficom recommends it for all drones.
- Where you can fly: check Fintraffic Sky before every flight. Near the eastern border there is an air defence zone that requires a flight plan at least one hour before flying. Source: Traficom, where flying is prohibited.
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 Finland?
The A1/A3 exam is free if you take it with operator registration, and 30 to 35 euros on its own. The A2 exam costs 50 euros per attempt.
What is the pass mark of the Finnish A1/A3 exam?
At least 75% overall and at least 50% in each of the nine subjects.
Is a drone certificate from another country valid in Finland?
Yes. A certificate issued by any EASA authority is valid in all 31 EASA countries, Finland 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 Finland?
Only for drones over 20 kg, although Traficom recommends it for all drones.
Can I fly near the Finnish eastern border?
There is an air defence zone where you must file a flight plan at least one hour before flying.
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.