Drone Laws in Italy (Complete 2023 Guide)

Updated in 2023 by Paul Posea

70m max height

Don’t fly over crowds

Don't interfere with aircraft

Only line of sight

Italy has many places that make for excellent drone shots and footage. Before you decide to document your visit to the Colosseum with your drone though you must keep in mind the drone laws set in place by Italian authorities.

Which brings us to the topic of this article. Drone laws in Italy and how to navigate them as a drone pilot. Stick around because this’ll be an in-depth article.

Can I fly my drone in Italy?

In most cases, yes. You can fly your drone in Italy as long as it’s within the rules and regulations set by European and French authorities.

Since Italy is in the E.U drone use here is regulated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) as well as by some local Italian laws Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC).

If you’d like to contact the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) directly before you travel with any questions you might have, e-mail them at comunicazione@enac.gov.it

Where can I fly my drone in Italy?

Good question because not all places in Italy are okay for you to fly over. Italy has special zones where flying drones are prohibited. You can check the flight interactive D-Flight map. This guide is mainly for recreational pilots and hobbyists. The map is marked by four colors.

As a general rule, try as much as you can not fly your drone into urban centers and keep off Venice or the Vatican.

The scope of the flight map does not cover National Parks in which case you must seek clarification from the authority concerned.

Take care not to fly over private land and buildings unless you have express authorization from the owner.

General rules for flying a drone in Italy

Since Italy is part of the European Union, drone use here is regulated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), with some additional drone laws specific to Italy.

There are three operational categories that determine that type of regulations regarding drone use. Since most drones fall in the “open” category that’s what we’ll cover here. (if you’d like to learn more about this, check my in-depth article about drone laws in the European union).

What makes a drone in the “Open” category?

Good question, a drone can be considered in the “Open” category if it fills the following conditions:

Your drone has one the class identification labels from 0 to 4 (I go more into this in my E.U drone laws article).
Your drone was purchased before January 2023.
Your drone’s maximum lift-off weight is 25kg or less.
You as a pilot always keep your drone away from people (your type of operations don't need proximity to people).
You’ll always maintain a visual line of sight.
You won’t fly your drone over 120m in the air (or you can’t, since some drones restrict flight by altitude).
Lastly, your drone won’t carry any dangerous or explosive material.

So based on all of the above and IF your drone is considered in the “Open” category, here are the regulations you must keep in mind:

Like every European country, your drone must be identified by a plate or sticker that’s clear on its outer case. The only added difference in Italy is that an identical plate was also installed on the remote ground pilot station. In addition to plates required by the Art 8.1, all drones that allow the transmission of data in real-time must be equipped with an Electronic Identification Device.
You should always maintain visual line of sight with your drone. Exceptions can be made for small FPV drones.
Drones can’t be flown at night in Italy
You’re not allowed to fly your drone over people or crowds, including sports events, concerts, and other large events.
There are different altitude restrictions depending on the type of operation you’re conducting: Drones being flown for recreational purposes can’t fly more than 70 meters (230 feet) above the ground, and drones being flown for commercial purposes can’t fly more than 150 meters (492 feet) above the ground.
You can fly your drone within 5 kilometers of an airport.
In Italy, Commercial drone pilots conducting low-risk operations must submit a statement of compliance with specific requirements to ENAC along with a 94 Euro processing fee.
For higher-risk operations commercial drone pilots must obtain training and an operating certificate as well as a health certificate. You can learn more about the requirements for commercial operations on this page on the ENAC website.

For more information on Italy’s drone laws, see this document issued by ENAC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some specific questions and their answers regarding drone use in Italy, in case you don’t have the time to read all of the above.

Can I travel with a drone in Italy?

So far, there is no law prohibiting travel with drones to Italy provided it is under your ownership.

What is the penalty for breaking the drone rules?

The severity of the charges labeled against you is determined by the legal system after which there will be a penalty. To remain on the safe side, do not contravene any laws required of you within Italy.

Can I travel with my drone to Italy by Airplane?

Yes. Provided you adhere to all laws and regulations set out by the airline and Italian Aviation Authority as pertaining to foreigners.

What are the restricted areas for flying drones in Italy?

Italy has special zones where flying drones are prohibited. You can check the flight interactive D-Flight map. This guide is mainly for recreational pilots and hobbyists. The map is marked by four colors.

As a general rule, try as much as you can not fly your drone into urban centers. Keep off Venice or the Vatican. The potential for world-class footage is unlimited, however, take care near tourist attractions as the drones might be confiscated and charges pursued.

In my opinion, I would advise any drone pilot to stay off the main cities that are densely populated with people. You can get stunning shots while out in the countryside.

Conclusion

Italy is home to many beautiful historical sites that make for some of the best shots and films out there. I think any drone enthusiast visiting Italy should take their time and take as much footage as they can, but only after familiarizing themselves with the legal landscape regarding drone use.

Otherwise you might find yourself with your drone confiscated, a 4 digit euro penalty or worse, even jail time in some rare cases.