Can you fly your drone in Cyprus?

BASIC RULES (EASA OPEN CATEGORY)

1. 01In the open category, the maximum height is 120 m, measured as the distance from the closest point of the Earth's surface — not just straight down, so near a slope the ground beside 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 qualifies as a toy under the EU Toy Safety Directive. Pilot training/certificate requirements are separate and depend on the drone's class and subcategory.
3. 03Mark your operator registration number indelibly on each of your drones and upload it to the remote identification system (if fitted). Operator registration is from age 18 — for younger people, a responsible person (e.g. a parent or guardian) can register.
4. 04Drones placed on the market after 01/01/2024 without a class label (C0–C6) may not fly in the open category — only in the specific category, with an operational authorisation.
5. 05The minimum age for flying independently in the open category is 16 — the A1/A3 online training (9 modules, 40-question exam, cost 15 euros) is valid for 5 years and recognised throughout the EU. Below this age, flying is permitted only under the direct supervision of a certified pilot.
6. 06Visitors from non-EU countries: if Cyprus is the first EU country where you fly, operator registration (where required) is done with the Cyprus DCA (15 €, minimum age 18); if you have already flown in another EU country, you do not register again. For the A1/A3 subcategories you need an A1/A3 pilot certificate issued by an EU country (online training and exam, 15 €); for a C0 drone (<250 g) the exam is not mandatory.
7. 07Night 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.
8. 08Larnaca and Paphos airports: in Zone A (red) all drone flights are prohibited; in Zone B (yellow) only with DCA permission (apply at least 10 working days in advance, third-party liability insurance 1,000,000 €). The DCA asks visitors to keep a distance of at least 8 km from airports and heliports.
9. 09Minimum distance of 150 m from residential, commercial or industrial areas (subcategory A3).
10. 10In the open category, keep the drone within your direct visual line of sight, with the naked eye (glasses/contact lenses are allowed; 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 monitor the airspace and avoid collisions. "Follow-me" mode is a separate exception, permitted up to 50 m from the pilot.
11. 11Do not fly over assemblies of people. Rules for uninvolved persons depend on subcategory, class mark and operating conditions; check the official matrix.
12. 12British Bases (Akrotiri, Dhekelia): separate administration with its own drone legislation, its own registration form and maps of designated areas — check sbaadministration.org before flying there.
13. 13Northern Cyprus (TRNC): separate jurisdiction – different rules.
14. 14UN Dead Zone: no activity without prior approval from UNFICYP — do not fly there.

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