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Drone Laws in Poland: Registration, Insurance, and DroneTower Rules (2026)

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By Paul Posea

Drone Laws in Poland: Registration, Insurance, and DroneTower Rules (2026) - drone reviews and comparison

Poland's National Drone Regulations

Poland Drone Regulations at a Glance
Registration
Required for drones 250g+ or any drone with a camera. Free via drony.gov.pl.
License
A1/A3 online training + exam required for drones 250g+. No separate commercial license.
Max Altitude
120 meters AGL (EASA standard)
Key Law
Aviation Law Act of 3 July 2002 (amended 2024) + EU Regulation 2019/947
Privacy Law
EU GDPR applies directly. Supervisory authority: UODO.
National Parks
All 23 parks require a permit from park administration. Fine: up to 10,000 PLN.
Night Flying
Allowed with mandatory green flashing light (EASA Open category rules)
Can Tourists Fly?
Yes. EASA registration from home country is valid. Non-EASA tourists must register at drony.gov.pl.
Import Rules
No special customs declaration for personal drones. Standard EU import rules apply.
Max Penalty
Up to 15,000 PLN fine or 5 years imprisonment for serious violations
Authority
ULC (Civil Aviation Authority) + PANSA (air navigation)
15,000 PLNMaximum fine for drone violations
Nov 2025Mandatory insurance effective date
6Agencies with enforcement authority

Poland follows the EU/EASA framework with three operating categories: Open (low risk, no authorization needed), Specific (medium risk, requires operational authorization from ULC), and Certified (high risk, full certification). Most recreational and tourist flying falls under the Open category, which allows drones under 25 kg to fly below 120 meters AGL within visual line of sight.

What sets Poland apart from other EASA countries is the DroneTower app requirement. Every flight, regardless of drone weight, must be checked in through DroneTower before takeoff. This replaced the older DroneRadar system in May 2024. The app shows real-time airspace restrictions, PANSA zones, and temporary no-fly areas. Poland is the only EU member state that mandates flight check-in for sub-250g drones.

Poland Drone Registration, Insurance, and Pilot Certification

Registration

All drones weighing 250g or more must be registered through drony.gov.pl, Poland's National UAV Information System (NUIS). Registration is free. Drones under 250g also require registration if they carry a camera or any sensor capable of collecting personal data. The operator must be at least 16 years old. After registration, you receive an Operator Registration ID that must be displayed on every drone you fly.

If you hold an EASA registration from another EU member state, it is valid in Poland. You do not need to register again. Non-EASA visitors (from the US, UK, Canada, etc.) must register directly through drony.gov.pl before flying.

Mandatory insurance (effective November 13, 2025)

Poland became one of the first EU countries to mandate third-party liability insurance for hobby drone operators. Since November 2025, all drones weighing 250g to 20 kg must carry insurance with minimum coverage of 3,000 SDR (approximately 15,000 PLN or 3,500 EUR) per incident. This applies to recreational and commercial operators alike, including tourists.

Warning: The insurance mandate catches many tourists off guard. If you are flying a drone 250g or heavier in Poland, you must carry proof of third-party liability insurance. Your home country's drone insurance may qualify if it covers operations in EU member states. Check your policy before traveling.

Pilot certification

For drones 250g and above in the Open category, pilots must complete the A1/A3 online training course and pass the exam. This is a standard EASA requirement, not unique to Poland. The training covers airspace rules, operational limitations, and safety procedures. If you completed A1/A3 training in another EASA country, your certificate is valid in Poland.

For Specific category operations, pilots need additional competency certificates depending on the standard scenario or SORA risk assessment involved. The Certified category requires a fully licensed remote pilot.

Remote ID

Remote ID is required for all registered drones in Poland, following EASA standards. The exceptions are C0 and C4 class drones that do not have Remote ID capability. If your drone was placed on the market before January 1, 2024, transitional provisions may apply, but you should plan for full Remote ID compliance.

Where You Can and Cannot Fly a Drone in Poland

Poland's airspace is managed by PANSA, and the DroneTower app is the primary tool for checking restrictions before flight. The app uses a color-coded zone system: green (open), yellow (restricted with conditions), and red (no-fly).

LocationStatusNotes
National Parks (23 total)Permit requiredEach park has PANSA-defined zones. Apply to park administration. Fine: up to 10,000 PLN.
Warsaw city centerHeavily restrictedSOP (State Protection Service) authorization required near government buildings.
Krakow Old TownEffectively bannedWithin Balice Airport CTR. Tourist density makes legal flying nearly impossible.
Airport CTR zonesNo fly without ATC5 km minimum distance for Open category. Check DroneTower for exact boundaries.
Eastern border zoneBorder Guard approvalRequired for flights near the eastern border (Ukraine/Belarus). Heightened since 2022.
Government buildingsSOP authorizationPresidential Palace, Sejm, Senate, Prime Minister's office in Warsaw.
Rural areas / countrysideGenerally openStill requires DroneTower check-in. Standard 120m AGL, VLOS rules apply.

Warsaw

Warsaw has two CTR zones (Okecie/EPWA and Babice/EPBC airports) and layered restrictions around government buildings. Flights near the Presidential Palace, Sejm, Senate, or Prime Minister's office require authorization from the State Protection Service (SOP). Temporary restricted zones are frequently declared for national celebrations, parades, and state events, sometimes covering large portions of the city. Always check DroneTower immediately before flying, as ad-hoc restrictions appear on short notice.

Krakow

Much of Krakow lies within the Kraków-Balice Airport (EPKK) CTR, which imposes a large restricted area over most of the city. Open category flights require a minimum 5 km distance from the airport boundary. The Old Town and Wawel Castle areas have such heavy tourist density that legal flying (no flights over crowds or assemblies) is virtually impossible. Special ATC permission is required for any flight within the CTR. The Wieliczka Salt Mine area has additional restrictions.

Tip: For the best flying experience in Poland, head to rural areas or smaller cities outside Warsaw and Krakow. The countryside offers beautiful landscapes with far fewer airspace restrictions. Just remember to check in via DroneTower before every flight.

For more on airspace concepts, see our drone no-fly zones guide and where you can fly a drone.

Bringing Your Drone to Poland

Poland is a popular destination for drone pilots traveling through Europe, but the national rules add steps that other EASA countries do not require. Here is what to prepare before your trip.

Before you fly

  1. Register your drone at drony.gov.pl if you do not hold an EASA registration from another member state.
  2. Complete A1/A3 training and exam if you have not done so in another EASA country.
  3. Purchase third-party liability insurance covering Poland (mandatory since November 2025 for drones 250g+).
  4. Download the DroneTower app and create an account. Flight check-in is mandatory for every flight, including sub-250g drones.
  5. Display your Operator Registration ID on your drone.

At customs

There is no special customs declaration required for personal drones entering Poland. Standard EU import rules apply. If traveling from outside the EU, your drone falls under normal personal electronics allowances. Keep your purchase receipt available in case customs officers ask about the value.

Tourist-specific rules

All standard operational rules apply equally to tourists. There is no tourist exemption for the DroneTower check-in, insurance mandate, or registration requirement. EASA tourists from other EU countries benefit from cross-recognition of their home country registration and pilot certificates. Non-EASA tourists (US, UK, Canada, Australia, etc.) must register directly in Poland and obtain A1/A3 certification.

Note: Warsaw and Krakow are particularly complex airspaces for casual tourist flying. If you are visiting these cities specifically to fly a drone, plan your flight locations carefully using DroneTower before your trip. Many popular tourist locations are within restricted zones.

For general travel drone tips, see our taking a drone on a plane guide.

Poland Drone Law Penalties and Enforcement

Poland's 2024 Aviation Law amendment significantly expanded enforcement powers and increased penalties. Six agencies now have authority to enforce drone regulations: police, municipal police (Straz Miejska), Border Guard, military police, customs officers, and aviation inspectors.

ViolationFineStatute
Flying without registrationUp to 10,000 PLNAviation Law Act (2002, amended 2024)
Flying without insuranceUp to 4,000 PLNAviation Law Act (2002, amended 2024)
General drone violations350 to 15,000 PLNAviation Law Act (2002, amended 2024)
National park violationUp to 10,000 PLNNature Conservation Act
Endangering aviation safetyUp to 5 years imprisonmentAviation Law Act, Art. 211
10,000 PLNFine for flying without registration
4,000 PLNFine for flying without insurance
5 yearsMaximum prison sentence

Enforcement case: Warsaw deportation (September 2025)

In September 2025, Poland deported a Ukrainian national for flying a drone over central Warsaw and imposed a 5-year entry ban. The incident occurred during heightened security following Russian drone incursions near Polish airspace at Rzeszow airport. This case demonstrates that Poland treats unauthorized urban drone flights as a serious security matter, not just an administrative infraction.

In February 2026, Poland charged six individuals with attempting to smuggle drone-making equipment to Russia, with potential jail sentences of at least 3 years under the same Aviation Law statute. The geopolitical context near Poland's eastern border has made enforcement especially aggressive.

Warning: Equipment confiscation is possible for serious or repeated violations. The 2024 amendment broadened this power. If your drone is confiscated, recovery can be a lengthy legal process, especially for foreign visitors.

For more on drone regulations in other countries, see our countries where drones are banned guide.

FAQ

Yes, if your drone weighs 250g or more, or if it has a camera or sensor that can collect personal data. Registration is free through drony.gov.pl. If you hold a valid EASA registration from another EU member state, it is recognized in Poland without additional registration.

Yes, since November 13, 2025. All drones weighing 250g to 20 kg must carry third-party liability insurance with minimum coverage of 3,000 SDR (approximately 15,000 PLN). This applies to recreational operators and tourists, not just commercial pilots.

DroneTower is Poland's mandatory flight check-in app, replacing the older DroneRadar system in May 2024. Every drone flight in Poland requires a check-in through DroneTower before takeoff, regardless of drone weight. This includes sub-250g drones, making Poland unique among EU member states.

Flying in Warsaw is legal but heavily restricted. The city has two airport CTR zones, and flights near government buildings (Presidential Palace, Sejm, Senate) require authorization from the State Protection Service (SOP). Temporary restrictions are declared frequently for state events. Always check DroneTower before flying.

Yes. Tourists from EASA countries can use their home-country registration and pilot certificates. Non-EASA tourists must register at drony.gov.pl and complete A1/A3 training. All tourists must use the DroneTower app and carry mandatory insurance for drones 250g and above.

Yes. Night flying is permitted under EASA Open category rules in Poland. Your drone must have a green flashing light visible during flight. No additional national authorization is required beyond standard Open category compliance, but maintaining visual line of sight is harder at night and practically limits operations.

Only with a permit from the specific park administration. All 23 national parks in Poland have PANSA-defined restricted zones. Flying without a permit carries a fine of up to 10,000 PLN. Check DroneTower for current park zone boundaries before planning any flights near national parks.

Fines range from 350 PLN for minor violations to 15,000 PLN for serious offenses. Flying without registration can cost up to 10,000 PLN. Flying without insurance carries fines up to 4,000 PLN. The most serious violations, such as endangering aviation safety, can result in up to 5 years imprisonment.

There is no separate commercial drone license in Poland. The EASA framework treats risk level, not purpose. Open category operations (recreational or commercial) require A1/A3 training. Specific category operations require an Operational Authorization from ULC with a SORA risk assessment. Insurance is mandatory for all operators with drones 250g and above.

Flights near Poland's eastern border (Ukraine and Belarus) require Border Guard approval. Security in this area has been heightened since 2022 due to the conflict in Ukraine. Unauthorized drone flights near the border zone are treated as serious security incidents, as demonstrated by multiple enforcement actions in 2025 and 2026.

Paul Posea

Paul Posea

Author · Dronesgator

Paul Posea is the founder of Dronesgator and has been reviewing and comparing drones since 2015. With a Part 107 certification, 195 YouTube drone reviews, and published work on Digital Photography School, he combines hands-on flight testing with data-driven analysis to help pilots find the right drone.