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Drone licence in Ireland: how to get your A1/A3 certificate step by step
In short
- To fly a drone with a camera in Ireland you need the A1/A3 certificate, valid in all 31 EASA countries.
- The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) runs the exam online on MySRS, for a fee of 51 euros.
- You can also sit the exam with another EASA authority, for example in Spain, where it is free and online.
- The A2 certificate needs a second, online supervised exam with the IAA.
- Before you fly: register on MySRS and check the IAA geographical zones.
To fly a drone in Ireland you almost always need the A1/A3 certificate, which the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) issues after an online exam. This guide covers the steps, the fees, the A2 certificate, registration and insurance, and a little-known option: sitting the exam with another EASA authority.
The certificate is European: once you have it, it is valid in all 31 EASA countries, Ireland included.
Who needs a drone licence in Ireland
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 IAA A1/A3 course and exam step by step
The IAA runs the A1/A3 exam on its online portal, MySRS. The fee is 51 euros.
- Create an account on MySRS, the IAA’s online system for drones.
- Sit the exam: 40 multiple-choice questions in English, which take about 10 minutes.
- Pass with at least 75%.
- Download your certificate. It is valid for 5 years.
Sources: IAA, remote pilot competency and the IAA schedule of charges.
The alternative: sit the exam in another EASA country
You do not have to take the A1/A3 exam with the IAA. Any aviation authority in the 31 EASA countries can issue it, and it is valid in all of them, Ireland included. The IAA also accepts an A1/A3 from another EU country as the basis for its A2 exam.
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 Ireland
The A2 builds on your A1/A3 and adds practical self-training and a second theory exam, which you can sit online.
| A1/A3 certificate | From Ireland or any other EASA country (a foreign one is added through a form on MySRS) |
|---|---|
| Practical training | Self-training in A3 conditions |
| Exam | 30 multiple-choice questions, taken online on MySRS with remote supervision; photo ID required |
| Pass mark | 75%, with a maximum of 2 attempts |
| Fee | 128 euros |
| Validity | 5 years |
Sources: IAA guidance on proctored assessment (UAM 018)/uam-018—guidance-on-proctored-assessment-of-remote-pilots.pdf) and the IAA schedule of charges.
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: on MySRS, for drones over 250 g or with a camera. It costs 41 euros and is valid for 2 years. Display your operator number on the outside of the drone. If you are already registered in your EU country of residence, you do not need to register again.
- Insurance: the IAA requires third-party insurance for drone operators, except for recreational flights with drones under 20 kg. It recommends insurance for everyone.
- Where you can fly: check the IAA geographical zones and any temporary restrictions before every flight. Within the Open category limits you do not need IAA permission to 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 Ireland?
The IAA charges 51 euros for the A1/A3 exam, and 128 euros for the A2. In other EASA countries, such as Spain, the A1/A3 exam is free.
Is a drone certificate from another country valid in Ireland?
Yes. A certificate issued by any EASA authority is valid in all 31 EASA countries, Ireland included.
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 Ireland?
For recreational flights with drones under 20 kg it is not mandatory, but the IAA recommends it. In other cases, insurance is required.
Can I take the A2 exam online in Ireland?
Yes. The IAA runs the A2 theory exam online through MySRS, with remote supervision.
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.