Can you fly your drone in Bulgaria?

BASIC RULES (EASA OPEN CATEGORY)

1. 01In the open category the maximum height is 120 m, measured as the distance to the closest point on the surface of the earth — not simply straight down, so near a slope the terrain next to you may also count. Within 50 m of a tall artificial obstacle (over 105 m), the maximum height may be increased up to 15 m above the height of the obstacle at the request of the entity responsible for the obstacle.
2. 02You must register as a drone operator if your drone weighs 250 g or more (or could transfer more than 80 J of kinetic energy on impact) — this applies even to toys. Below 250 g, registration is still required if the drone has a sensor able to capture personal data, unless it is considered a toy under the EU Toy Safety Directive. Pilot training/certificate requirements are separate and depend on the drone's class and subcategory. The operator registration number is applied with a sticker on every drone and, if the drone has a remote identification system (Remote ID), is also entered into it.
3. 03The minimum age for flying on your own in the open category is 16 — the A1/A3 online training and exam are taken in the DG CAA system (uas.caa.bg, login with a qualified electronic signature), are valid for 5 years and are recognized throughout the EU. No minimum age: class C0 in A1, a privately built drone under 250 g, or a flight under the direct supervision of a pilot with the necessary competence. If the pilot is under 18, a parent or guardian registers as the operator.
4. 04Tourists: if your drone is subject to registration, register as an operator in the EU country where you live; if you live outside the EU — in the first EU country where you will fly (in Bulgaria: uas.caa.bg). Qualifications from non-EU countries are not recognized — the required training (e.g. A1/A3) must be completed in the EU.
5. 05There are geographic zones of different sizes around airports. At Sofia, Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv and Gorna Oryahovitsa airports the zones are larger than 8 km: in the inner zone every flight requires authorization from DG CAA, and in the wider zone — flights above 50 m. Apply at least 7 working days in advance. Check the map at uas.caa.bg.
6. 06The areas surrounding Sofia Airport cover a significant portion of the city.
7. 07Without authorization, it is prohibited to fly in restricted or prohibited geographic zones, in activated (temporarily reserved) airspace structures and within the guarded boundaries of public-use airports. In case of a violation, the drone may be forced to land or removed, and any damage is at the violator's expense.
8. 08Before every flight, check the geographic zones on the DG CAA map (uas.caa.bg); in a zone that requires authorization, submit an application to DG CAA within the deadline stated for the zone.
9. 09In the open category you must keep the drone in direct visual line of sight with the naked eye (glasses/contact lenses are fine; binoculars or a screen do not count) — or with the help of an observer, with clear and effective communication between you at all times, so that together you watch the airspace and avoid collisions. “Follow-me” mode is a separate exception only in subcategory A1 (class C0/C1 drones or privately built drones under 250 g), up to 50 m from the pilot.
10. 10Do not fly over assemblies of people. Rules for uninvolved persons depend on subcategory, class mark and operating conditions; check the official matrix.
11. 11Night flight is permitted under the EASA open-category baseline when the required green flashing light is used, unless a current geographic zone or national rule imposes a stricter condition.
12. 12National parks and nature reserves: restrictions apply.
13. 13Third-party liability insurance is mandatory for drones over 20 kg, and for commercial/professional activity — regardless of weight. For professional activity in the open category, the operator submits a declaration to DG CAA.

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