If you fly a drone in Ireland, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is the body that sets and enforces the rules. Ireland follows the common EU drone regulations, so the same rules apply across Europe. Here’s what’s required of a hobby drone operator, in plain English.
Not legal advice This is my summary of the IAA’s guidance at the time of writing, not legal advice. Rules change, so always check the IAA’s website before you fly.
1. Register as an operator
If your drone weighs more than 250 g, or has a camera (or another sensor that can capture personal data), you must register as a drone operator. Toys designed for children under 14 are exempt.
- Register online through MySRS, the IAA’s online portal.
- You must be 16 or over. For a younger pilot, a parent or guardian registers as the operator, and must train and supervise them.
- Registration lasts two years. Fees are set out in the IAA’s schedule of charges.
- You get an operator registration number, which must be displayed on every drone you fly: visible on the outside, or in a compartment you can open without tools. A small label on the body is the easy option.
Good to know Registration covers you as the operator, not a specific drone. One registration covers all your drones, but it isn’t permission to fly anywhere you like.
2. Do the training and tests
- Online training (A1/A3): also on MySRS. It’s free and takes about 15 minutes: a short video followed by 40 multiple-choice questions. Passing gives you a Proof of Online Training certificate, valid for five years. It’s required for flying drones over 250 g.
- A2 Certificate of Competency: only needed if you want to fly a C2-class drone close to people. You apply on MySRS and take an additional theory exam with an IAA-recognised training organisation (DUTO), on top of the online training.
3. The rules for every flight
- Maximum height 120 m above the ground.
- Visual line of sight (VLOS): you must be able to see the drone with your own eyes at all times, with no binoculars or relying on the screen.
- Never over crowds (“assemblies of people”): sports events, concerts, busy beaches or streets, or anywhere people couldn’t easily move away.
- Nothing dropped from the drone, and no dangerous goods carried.
- At night, the drone must show a flashing green light so others can see it.
- Geo-zones: respect restricted areas (more below).
Observers and FPV
You can have an unmanned aircraft observer: a person standing beside you who watches the drone and the sky, and warns you about hazards. If you fly FPV, wearing goggles or watching only the screen, you must have an observer who keeps the drone in direct sight for you.
4. Categories, weight limits and class markings
Hobby flying falls into the Open category, which has three subcategories depending on how close you fly to people. Which one you can use depends on your drone’s weight and class marking, a C0 to C4 label on newer drones.
| Class | Max weight | Subcategory |
|---|---|---|
| C0 | under 250 g | A1 |
| C1 | under 900 g | A1 |
| C2 | under 4 kg | A2 (with A2 CofC) or A3 |
| C3 / C4 | under 25 kg | A3 |
| No class marking (legacy or home-built), under 250 g | under 250 g | A1 |
| No class marking (legacy or home-built), 250 g to 25 kg | under 25 kg | A3 |
- A1, over people: C0 drones may fly over uninvolved people (never crowds); C1 drones should avoid it.
- A2, close to people: keep 30 m horizontally from uninvolved people, or 5 m if the drone has a low-speed mode switched on.
- A3, far from people: no uninvolved people should be put at risk, and you must stay at least 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas.
Anything outside these limits, like flying beyond line of sight or heavier drones near people, belongs in the Specific category and needs an Operational Authorisation from the IAA.
Where my drones fit
My DJI Spark (about 300 g) and original Mavic Pro (about 734 g) were made long before class markings existed, so they’re “legacy” drones. Both are over 250 g, which puts them in A3: open countryside, well away from people and buildings. They need operator registration and the free online training, and nothing more.
5. Geo-zones
Airports, prisons, military sites and other sensitive areas are covered by UAS geographical zones, where flying is banned or needs permission. The IAA publishes the official zones data on its geographic zones page. Before every flight, check the zones, NOTAMs (notices to airmen) and any temporary restricted areas, which are set up for events and VIP visits. Zones can overlap, so read every zone at your location, not just the first.
6. Insurance, Remote ID and privacy
- Insurance: not legally required for recreational flying with drones under 20 kg, but the IAA recommends third-party insurance for everyone. Some home insurance policies cover it, so check yours.
- Remote ID: newer class-marked drones (C1 to C3) broadcast an electronic ID, a bit like a digital number plate, which you set up with your operator number. Legacy drones like mine don’t have it.
- Privacy: if your camera captures identifiable people, data protection law (GDPR) applies to you. Be considerate: don’t hover near houses or film people without permission. Privacy complaints go to the Data Protection Commission.
Quick checklist
- Registered as an operator on MySRS (renew every two years)
- Operator number displayed on the drone
- Online training certificate in date (five years)
- Right subcategory for your drone (A1, A2 or A3)
- Geo-zones, NOTAMs and temporary restrictions checked
- Under 120 m, in sight, away from crowds
Planning to fly autonomous missions? Read my post on Litchi, and remember that every rule above applies to waypoint flights too.
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