How to Fly Drones in Italy: Geographic Zones and Key Procedures

Although all EASA Member States must comply with the European regulation governing unmanned aircraft operations, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 establishes that geographical zones must be defined by each individual country. This means that each Member State determines its own airspace restrictions.

These restrictions may be imposed for safety, privacy, environmental protection, or other reasons. The most common include:

Controlled airspace, especially near airports.

Protected natural areas.

Military zones.

Urban environments.

The national authorities may establish specific operating conditions in these areas, such as the requirement for prior authorisation, special coordination procedures, time constraints, or even complete flight bans. This article explains how to identify such zones and plan drone operations in Italy.

The Key Tool: D-Flight

To check flight restrictions in Italy, the national authority has developed D-Flight, an interactive map that displays the applicable limitations for a given location.

Before conducting any operation, make sure you comply with the following:

Proper documentation: The operator must be registered and hold a valid registration. If the operation falls under the specific category, the operational declarations must be submitted or a formal authorisation obtained. The remote pilot must hold the appropriate certificates.

UAS class label: The drone must have the class identification corresponding to the intended category of operation. For example, when using the European Standard Scenario STS-01, the drone must have a C5 class label.

Processing times: Authorisation or coordination requests may take several working days, depending on the competent authority. We recommend planning at least six weeks in advance, particularly if this is your first time operating in Italy.

Other Important Considerations

If you are flying in Italy for the first time, be aware of additional administrative requirements that may complicate the process:

You must be registered on the D-Flight platform.

You need a certified email address (PEC).

You must be authenticated on ENAC’s payment portal, in case administrative fees apply.

Moreover, Italy imposes specific restrictions. For instance, operations in controlled airspace often require the use of the specific category.

Need Assistance?

If you’re planning a drone operation in Italy, our team can support you through the entire process – from document validation to obtaining permissions and authorisations.

Contact us for more information and ensure the success of your mission.