Dronesgator logo

All Drone Laws in Greece in 2023 (Ultimate Guide)

Updated in 2023 by Paul Posea
greece-drone-laws.jpg
height flight limit 1

Authorization for over 50m

cant fly over crowds of people 1

Don't fly over crowds

museum white icon

Need Insurance

image 33

No flying over institutions

This is a guide for Greece's drone laws in 2023 (updated every year) where you'll get a clue about what you can or shouldn't do while flying and traveling through this country.

Are drones legal in Greece?

Flying a drone in Greece feels like a dream come through. Snaking above the island of Patmos or Crete generates remarkable footage. Greek laws distinguish recreational from commercial drones. 

Both categories are governed by a strict set of laws that depend on the drone’s features. For instance, where you fly, the weight, and the purpose are key in categorizing your drone.

Contact Information

The body responsible for overseeing everything drone-related in Greece is the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA). You can contact them through:

Email: d4@hcaa.gr 

Tel: (+30) 210 891 6476

Drone classifications in Greece

Drones vary depending on their weight:

  • Drones weighing less than 1 Kg
  • Drones weighing between 1 & 4 Kg
  • Drones weighing between 4 & 25 Kg

And another category of classification is:

  • Open flight
  • Specific flight
  • Certified flight
image 36

What are the drone laws in Greece?

Based on the available data we researched, here are the most important rules you need to know when flying your drone in Greece.

  • Permit for flying over 50m distance
  • If your flight plan involves the drone exceeding 164 feet (50 meters) from point of origin, you must apply for a special permit for that single flight. The application process can be submitted through this link. On receiving clarification from HCAA, you should share your flight plans with the respective police department.
  • No authorization to fly within 50m off the ground
  • Commercial pilots need permission for all their operations
  • No night flying
  • Do not fly at night unless your drone has lighting
  • Commercial pilots need insurance
  • Recreational Insurance (if drones weigh over 4kg)
  • You cannot fly over...people, hospitals, prisons, government facilities, military installations, etc.
  • Consult owner before flying over private property

How can I register my drone in Greece?

Recreational drones are exempted from mandatory licensing. Alternatively,  commercial drones require a permit and license provided you maintain your flight path. To qualify as a recreational drone, maintain an open class drone flight and ensure your drone weighs less than 4 Kg.  

Can I fly a drone in Greece without having it registered?

Only if it falls under the criteria of a recreational drone. 

What are the restricted areas for flying drones in Greece?

Remember you can not fly your drone anywhere in the country 30 min after sunset. Other areas where drone flights are restricted are military zones, major events, urban centers, emergency areas, and several others clearly stipulated in the HCAA laws. Maintain a  distance of 8 Km from any aerodrome. 

Areas that are restricted to a flight can be determined in the following application. 

If you intend to fly close to or over archeological sites you must get advance authorization from the Ministry of Culture.

Commercial drone use in Greece

Commercial flight requires the user to be registered as a drone pilot. Any drone intended for commercial purposes has to be registered. 

How to obtain a drone license for commercial use?

To qualify for these services you must:

  • Have a valid Class 3 Medical certificate.
  • Should be 18 years and above
  • Decent knowledge of English and Greek

The license is split into two categories

  • The first part is the theory part and the second is more practical. Passing the practical exam requires the drone pilot to achieve 4 successful landings and take-offs. That way you get a firm understanding of all the rules involved. 
  • Once everything is set, you can contact weight.public.relations1@minpress.gr to get more insights on professional flight issues. 

Can I be reprimanded for flying a drone illegally?

The fine imposed on the drone owner will vary depending on the severity of their contravention of the rules. In the worst-case scenario, you will be fined 250,000 Euros.

How to register a drone for commercial use

As a foreigner wishing to fly with your drone higher than the required minimum (up to 500 m away) you will not have a Greek Tax Number, so fill in your details on this form.

The form will require you to enter:

  • Personal details and qualifications
  • Flight information and model of drone
  • Once you have it figured out, send an email to d4@hcaa.gr
image 24

What are my top drones to fly safely in Greece?

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 Mini 2- The best international travel drone (under 250g)

camera-icon-spec

4k

battery-icon-spec

31 min

range-icon-spec

10 km

drone-icon-spec

No follow-me

image 25

DJI has surprised us with this incredible camera drone under 250g, which is legal to fly in most countries without registration.

It comes at a very cheap price for its incredible specs.I have covered it much more in-depth in my article review and even compared it with the Mavic Air 2.

2. DJI Mavic Air 2 - My favorite drone overall

camera-icon-spec

4k 60p

battery-icon-spec

34 min

range-icon-spec

10 km

drone-icon-spec

Follow me

image 26

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 its price since it was first released.

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's official map.

They do a great job mapping the places that one should avoid while flying in every country:

  • airports
  • military bases
  • prisons
  • power plants
  • any high-risk areas


These would be the current updated drone laws for Greece. I suggest checking my full map with all the countries' drone laws to see where it's best to travel.

Conclusion 

If you are considering visiting Greece, make sure you’ve learned all the dos and don’ts of flying drones in this region. This will help you have a safe journey and enjoy flying your drone without getting yourself into trouble.

Also, keep in mind that, commercial and recreational drones are treated differently in most countries therefore you will need to prepare yourself accordingly. Last but not least, always follow rules and regulations and make sure to respect the laws of every country.

author-paul-posea-picture
Hi, I'm Paul.
A big drone enthusiast, reviewing, comparing and writing about drones since 2015. I'm all about helping people enjoy and even monetize their hobby.

Become an FAA-Certified Drone Pilot

  • make money from your passion
  • pass the Part 107 test Guarantee (money back
  • 50,000 students and 3,000+ reviews

Use the code DRONESGATOR for $50 off 

Show me the Course!
paul posea
Paul Posea
Hi, I'm a long-time drone reviewer and I hope my articles and comparisons on this site as well as Dronesgator's youtube channel are of as much help as possible.
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram