120m max height

30m from industries

Don't fly near airports

Only line of sight

All Drone Laws in Croatia in 2020 (Ultimate Guide)

Drone regulations are normal phenomena. Every functional country needs rules at one point or another to foster peaceful coexistence between drone pilots and society. Regulations also help instill a sense of responsibility on the pilots.

Croatia is no exemption and allows the use of drones within its borders. However, with the review of the drone laws in 2018, new parts have been introduced that are not too popular among drone pilots.

Can I bring my drone to Croatia?

So far, I am yet to encounter any reviewer mention of restrictions placed on them as they entered Croatia with their drones. Just remember to inquire with your airline and find out what their drone requirements are.

Who do I contact?

The body mandated with the responsibility of drones is the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency, abbreviated as the CCAA. The contact information is:

Email: cccaa@ccaa.hr

Phone: +385-12369300

What are the drone rules in Croatia?

Unfortunately, for a country that receives tens of millions of visitors annually, drone laws in Croatia are only published in the native dialect.

Drones that weigh over 150 Kg are regarded as manned aircraft. In a similar fashion, drones that are flown indoors or used in emergency services are exempted. There are five weight classes that are exempted too:

Category A Toys (below 250g)
Category B1 Between 250-900g
Category B2 Below 5 Kg
Category C1 Between 5-25 Kg
Category C2 Between 25-150 Kg

Do I need a drone permit to fly my drone in Croatia?

The answer depends on your category of drone and where you plan on flying it. Categories A and B1 do not require a permit, however, recording pictures and videos requires permission. For deviating flight maneuvers you will need the permission of the Croatian Aviation Authority (CCAA).

Drones falling under B1 can be operated by a young person provided there is an adult supervising and watching over them.

How can I register my drone in Croatia

Drones falling under categories B2 and C1 have to be registered. Fill out this form and submit it accordingly to the following address:

Hrvatska agencija za civilno zrakoplovstvo, Odjel letačkih operacija

Ulica grada Vukovara 284

10000 Zagreb

Hrvatska

The registration process costs and the equivalent of $3. To get flight clearance, you must have permission from the Croatian Control. Of course, the authorization is mandatory for any user flying category B2, C1, and C2.

Requirements for registering a drone

Frequently asked questions about flying a drone in Croatia

Is FPV flying authorized in Croatia?

Yes. Provided you maintain your flight path within the visual line of sight.

How to get a permit for recording videos and taking photos

To take photos or aerial videos using your drone, you need special permission from the State Geodetic Administration (SGA). You can send them an email via info@dgu.hr

The application is not similar to the license applications and I am yet to discover any set of criteria that qualifies an application over the other.

Some reviewers claim that your chances of approval are higher if the purpose of your shoot is for family reasons and you commit to not having them published publicly. SGA discusses every application with the Ministry of Defense, thus taking a month at the very least. If your stay in Croatia will be brief, consider applying for the recording authorization half a year before you set off.

I also came to learn that once you are approved, you must send back all that material for scrutiny before you receive the final go-ahead to use them.

Applying for a photo or video shoot permit is challenging given one must apply when physically present. You must stick a stamp onto your application which means you must be physically present. In my opinion, I consider flying a drone in Croatia best suited for those with family or relatives who can accommodate them for a fairly long period of time. That way they can go through the whole ‘apply and wait’ bureaucratic process.

What are my top drones to fly safely in Croatia?

My following two recommendations are 2 great compact drones that are quite silent and also small enough to travel with and not stand out as annoying.

1.Dji Mavic Mini - The best international travel drone (under 250g)

2.7k

30min battery

4km

No follow me

DJI has surprised us with this incredible camera drone under 250g, which is half of the weight required for registering in the first place.

I have covered it much more in depth in my article review and even compared it with the DJI Spark and Mavic Air.

Advantages

DISAdvantages

2.Dji Mavic Air 2 - My favorite drone overall

4k 60fps

34min battery

9km

Follow + obstacle avoidance

If you want more control over things like shutter speed, iso and such, the best professional drone that still falls under the 500g category is the DJI Mavic Air.

It's made mostly for people who want to play around with settings and enter into the pro category.

DJI lowered it's price since it was first released.

Advantages

DISAdvantages

Restricted Areas and Geofencing (drone FLying map)

The best way to figure out what areas you can fly in, while you're here is by consulting DJI offilicial map.
They do a great job mapping the places that one should avoid while flying in every country: