Compliance & regulation

Where Irish drone rules stand today.

Irish and European drone regulation and best practice are continuously evolving. We engage with the regulators and review our services and teaching practices on a regular basis — and we investigate new software applications, advances in sensor technology and the modern UAVs coming into the marketplace.

Ask us where you stand

What are the A1, A2 and A3 categories?

They are the three subdivisions of the Open category, and they are defined by location, airspace and proximity to people.

Should your organisation need to engage with the more advanced Specific category, we will guide you and help you build a roadmap towards it.

The three Open category subcategories and their separation distances A1 permits flight over uninvolved people with a sub-250 gram aircraft. A2 requires 30 metres separation, reducible to 5 metres in low-speed mode. A3 requires 150 metres from any residential, commercial, industrial or recreational area. A1 Over people Under 250 g: may overfly people. Never an assembly. C0 or C1 class marking A2 Close to people 30 m 30 m horizontal separation, or 5 m in low-speed mode. C2 class marking only A3 Far from people 150 m 150 m from residential, commercial or industrial areas. C2, C3, C4 or legacy under 25 kg
The Open category subcategories, from Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (UAS.OPEN.020, .030 and .040). Separation distances are minima and assume the conditions in the regulation are met.

If you have yet to purchase a drone or equipment, please hold back until we have at least had an exploratory conversation. We may save you time, money and headaches. Talk to us first →

What happens if you get it wrong?

Both the operator and the pilot are deemed to have contravened, and the statutory maxima are substantial.

Under section 74 of the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993, as applied by S.I. No. 24 of 2023:

  • Summary conviction: up to €5,000 and/or six months
  • Conviction on indictment: up to €500,000 and/or three years

Enforcement is also changing. Ireland’s Implementation Action Plan 2026 schedules the drafting of fixed-charge offence regulations for late 2026, with further Garda enforcement training planned for early 2027.

Does any of this apply in Northern Ireland?

No. Northern Ireland is a UK jurisdiction and is regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, not the IAA. However it is a similar system and regulations.

Different regulator, different registration, different certificates — a UK GVC is not an Irish A2 Certificate of Competency, and an Irish operator registration does not cover you north of the border. If your operation crosses the border, you need to satisfy both regimes. We will guide you on this; the two systems are very similar in regulation and structure.