Drone Laws in Hungary: MyDroneSpace, Camera Registration, and Budapest Restrictions (2026)

Hungary follows the EASA framework as an EU member state, implementing EU Regulation 2019/947 as its baseline. But the national additions are what make Hungary stand out. Camera-based registration regardless of weight, mandatory MyDroneSpace app connectivity, 30 to 40 day advance permits for populated areas, and a 300-meter critical infrastructure buffer zone under Act LXXXIV of 2024. These layers turn what should be a standard EASA flight into a planning exercise that starts weeks before your trip.

Hungary implements EU Regulation 2019/947 through a Government Decree on UAS operations, then adds several national requirements on top. The table below covers the baseline rules for every drone flight in Hungary.

For a general overview of licensing costs across countries, see our drone license cost guide.

Hungary's EASA baseline is standard. The national additions are not. Four rules separate Hungary from its EU neighbors, and each one creates friction for visiting drone pilots.

MyDroneSpace: no connection, no flight

Every drone operator in Hungary must use the MyDroneSpace app before takeoff. This is not optional, and it's not just a planning tool. The app logs your flight plan, checks real-time airspace restrictions, and confirms your authorization status. If you cannot establish a connection to the app (poor cell signal, server outage, phone compatibility issue), you are legally required to stay grounded.

This creates a real problem in rural Hungary. The Tokaj wine region, Hortobagy National Park, and parts of the Danube Bend have spotty mobile coverage. You might drive an hour to reach a perfect flying location only to find you can't connect to MyDroneSpace. No workaround exists. The regulation is binary: connected or grounded.

Camera-based registration (ANY drone with a camera)

Most EASA countries require registration for drones over 250g, or for lighter drones that capture personal data. Hungary skips the nuance entirely. If your drone has a camera, it needs registration. Period. A DJI Mini 4 Pro at 249g? Registered. A Ryze Tello at 80g? Registered. The fee is modest (about EUR 8), but the process for non-Hungarian citizens is not straightforward. There's no digital self-service option for foreign nationals without a Hungarian digital ID. You must register by postal mail or go through Legter.hu Ltd, a private intermediary.

The 30 to 40 day city permit

Flying over any populated area in Hungary requires advance HCAA authorization. For recreational pilots, the minimum lead time is 4 days. For commercial operations, it's 30 days. In practice, the processing window stretches to 30 to 40 days for both categories during peak season. This single rule makes spontaneous drone flying in Budapest, Debrecen, Szeged, or any Hungarian city impossible for tourists on a week-long trip.

300-meter critical infrastructure buffer (Act LXXXIV of 2024)

Enacted in response to security concerns tied to the Ukraine conflict, Act LXXXIV of 2024 established mandatory 300-meter buffer zones around all critical infrastructure. This includes power plants, military installations, government buildings, telecommunications towers, and water treatment facilities. The buffer zones are not always marked on consumer drone maps. Flying within them can result in criminal charges, not just administrative fines.

The Tokaj shoot-down (May 2025)

In May 2025, the Hungarian Armed Forces intercepted and shot down a drone near Tokaj in northeastern Hungary, close to the Ukrainian border. The military classified it as an unauthorized incursion, though the drone's origin (Ukrainian military, civilian, or hobby) was never publicly confirmed. This incident demonstrated that Hungary treats airspace violations near border regions as military threats. The shoot-down was conducted under authority granted by Act LXXXIV of 2024.

For context on drone surveillance laws, see our drone spying laws guide. For more on flying over private property, see our dedicated guide.

Hungary's airspace splits into three practical zones: Budapest (heavily restricted), major cities (permit required), and rural areas (generally open under EASA Open category rules with MyDroneSpace). The table below covers the key locations.

The Budapest CTR problem

Budapest's control traffic region (CTR) covers a massive area around Liszt Ferenc Airport. Even outside the no-drone zone (NDZ) but inside the CTR, your altitude is capped at 40 meters. That is barely above rooftop height. Combined with the populated-area permit requirement and heritage site restrictions along the Danube, legal drone flying within Budapest proper is effectively off-limits for tourists.

Park overflights

Hungary does not have a blanket national park drone ban, but individual parks impose their own restrictions. Most require case-by-case approval from the park authority, and recreational requests are rarely granted. A park overflight fee of approximately EUR 60 applies where permission is given. Hortobagy, Bukk, and Aggtelek are the most restrictive.

For more on park restrictions in other countries, see our national park drone rules guide. For a broader look at restricted zones, see drone no-fly zones explained.

No import permits or customs declarations are required for personal drones entering Hungary. The friction is entirely on the registration and authorization side, not at the border.

What tourists need to do

1. Check if you hold EASA registration from another EU/EEA member state. If yes, your existing operator ID is valid in Hungary under mutual recognition.
2. If you're from a non-EASA country, register with the HCAA. Foreign nationals without a Hungarian digital ID must register by postal mail or through Legter.hu Ltd (a private processing service). Allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing.
3. Download and set up the MyDroneSpace app. Create an account and link your operator ID. Test the app before your trip to confirm it works on your phone.
4. If you plan to fly over any populated area, submit a permit application to HCAA at least 30 to 40 days before your planned flight date.
5. Label your drone with the operator ID (eID) issued during registration.
6. Purchase third-party liability insurance with minimum EUR 1 million coverage if your drone is 250g or heavier.

EASA cross-recognition

If you already hold an EASA operator registration from Germany, France, Spain, or any other EU/EEA state, Hungary recognizes it without re-registration. Your A1/A3 competency certificate also transfers. The one thing that does not transfer is the populated-area permit. You still need HCAA authorization for city flights, even with valid EASA credentials from another country.

Best strategy for short visits

If you're visiting Hungary for less than two weeks, focus on rural flying. The populated-area permit timeline makes city flights impractical. Lake Balaton's quieter stretches, the Danube Bend outside Budapest city limits, and the open plains east of the Tisza River are your best options. Download MyDroneSpace, confirm connectivity, and fly within Open category rules.

For packing your drone for travel, see our guide to taking a drone on a plane. For an overview of countries with heavy restrictions, see countries where drones are banned.