EU Drone Port Training
Which EU Drone Pilot Certificate
do I actually need?
Confused by A1/A3, A2, STS and SORA? Take our 3-question quiz, or get the free guide and know exactly which certificate fits your drone, in under 2 minutes.
Course finder
Tell us how you want to fly
Three quick questions. We'll match you to the right EASA pilot certificate.
How heavy is your drone?
Take your best guess. You can always come back.
Where do you plan to fly?
Where you fly changes which subcategory you fall under.
What do you want to use it for?
This helps us flag whether you'll need advanced training.
✨ Here's our recommendation
The EU Pilot Certificate System
There are 4 levels of EU drone pilot certification, which one do you need?
Since 2021, all of Europe follows the same EASA drone regulations. But most pilots don't know which certificate applies to their situation. Here's a quick overview, and our free guide explains it in full detail.
Open Category, Beginner
Required for C0, C1 & C3 drones. Fly in A1 (close to people) or A3 (150m from urban areas). Online theory, no practical exam. Most pilots start here.
Open Category, Basic
Required for C2 drones (DJI Mavic 3 etc.). Fly as close as 30m to people, 5m in low-speed mode. Includes autopractice (self-logged flights).
Standard Scenarios, Intermediate
Fly in urban areas (STS-01) or BVLOS up to 2km (STS-02). Online theory + practical training at our facility. The professional standard.
Operational Authorisation, Advanced
For the most advanced operations: drone swarms, heavy lifters (+25kg), BVLOS over 2km, drone docking. Requires an operational authorisation.
What's in the free guide
Everything you need to know
in one clear PDF
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Browse All Courses →The 3 paths
Pick the pilot certificate that fits your flying
All three are recognised across 31 countries. All theory is online and asynchronous. Start when you want, finish at your own pace.
A1/A3
For most hobbyists and lighter drones flown away from people. The mandatory starting point for almost every pilot.
- Drones up to 25 kg in A3, lighter in A1
- 100% online theory, no practical exam
- Required before A2 and STS
- Valid across 31 countries
A2
For pilots who want to fly closer to uninvolved people. Ideal for content creators and prosumers.
- Fly as close as 30m (5m in low-speed mode)
- Theory online and asynchronous
- Autopractice: self-log your flights
- Requires A1/A3 first
STS
For professional and advanced operations under standard scenarios. Online theory, plus practical training at our facility.
- STS-01 (urban VLOS) and STS-02 (rural BVLOS)
- Theory online and asynchronous
- Theoretical exam via your national CAA
- Practical training at our facility
Why EU Drone Port
Officially designated. 50,000+ pilots trained.
You're learning from one of Europe's leading authorities in drone pilot training.
Official Designated Training Entity
Officially designated to deliver EASA pilot training. We issue official certificates directly for STS practical and SORA. For A1/A3, A2 and STS theory, we prepare you to ace the official exam at your national CAA.
Built by aerospace engineers
Designed and kept current by aerospace engineers with deep regulatory expertise. You study what actually matters, for the exam and for flying safely.
EASA-aligned content
Built directly from EU 2019/947 and the latest EASA Easy Access Rules. Always current.
Valid in 31 countries
EU member states plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. One course, fly Europe-wide.
Multilingual support
Course materials and learner support available in multiple languages.
Online and asynchronous
No fixed schedules, no waiting. Sign up, log in, learn whenever it suits you.
FAQ
Quick answers to common questions
Do I really need a pilot certificate to fly a drone?
Yes, in almost every case. The only exception is a true toy drone: under 250g and with no camera. Everything else, including sub-250g drones with a camera, requires at least the A1/A3 pilot certificate. And even when it isn't strictly required by law, A1/A3 covers the no-fly zones, safety basics and rules that keep you out of trouble.
Is my pilot certificate valid in other EU countries?
Yes. EASA pilot certificates are recognised across all 31 EASA member states: every EU country plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Get it once, fly anywhere in Europe.
Is the theory really online and asynchronous?
Completely. There are no scheduled classes, no live sessions to attend. Modules are short, you progress at your own pace, and you can study from any device whenever you want. Most pilots finish A1/A3 in a single afternoon.
What about my specific drone, will it work?
Almost certainly. Every drone falls into a class (C0 to C6) or a transitional weight category. The course finder above will help you figure out which pilot certificate matches your drone. If you're unsure, take A1/A3, it's the foundation for everything.
What's the minimum age?
The minimum age for the drone pilot certificate is 16 in most EU countries, though some allow younger pilots under supervision. Your national authority sets the final rule.
Which languages are the courses in?
Course content is available in multiple languages. After signing up you can pick your preferred language inside the platform.
How does the STS exam work, theory and practical?
STS has two parts. The theory exam is taken online via your national Civil Aviation Authority, and our online async theory course prepares you for it. The practical training and exam happen at our facility, where we issue the official practical certificate directly. Heads up: we run practical sessions for closed groups of 8 pilots minimum. If you're an individual, get in touch and we'll help you join an upcoming group.
What's the difference between STS and PDRA?
PDRA-S01 and PDRA-S02 mirror STS-01 and STS-02, so they need the same level of pilot competency. Same training, different operational paperwork. STS is declarative, no pre-approval needed.
What about SORA training?
SORA covers the most advanced operations: drone swarms, heavy lifters over 25 kg, BVLOS beyond 2 km, and dock operations. We are officially designated to issue SORA training certificates directly. See our SORA training options or get in touch for a consultation.
I didn't get my login email after signing up
Check spam first, it usually hides there. If nothing turns up, email training@eudroneport.com with the email you used and we'll get you in within hours.
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