Drone rules are the part of buying a drone that no specification sheet prepares you for. The common answer — “it is under 250 g, so you can fly it anywhere” — is wrong in most of Europe and, as of publication, in the UK for a different reason. Weight, location, payload and purpose change the requirement, and regulators update the details. This guide compares the US FAA, UK CAA and EU EASA frameworks and flags what to verify before you fly.
These differences are practical: the wrong registration, a misjudged flight or an out-of-date rule can ground a trip, invalidate insurance or attract a fine.
This is not legal advice, and the rules change; check the official source before every trip.
The short version
- Rules follow the flight, not the buyer. Register where you operate.
- Weight thresholds differ. The US and EU use 250 g; the UK requires a Flyer ID from 100 g.
- Visual line of sight is the common thread. Goggles do not replace it; most countries require a spotter.
- Remote ID is mandatory for registrable drones in the US and built into EU class marks.
- Recreational and commercial flights differ. If unsure, assume the stricter category.
Four questions that decide almost everything
Where is the aircraft flying, what does it weigh or what class mark does it carry, is the flight recreational or commercial, and who is nearby? Answer those and the local rulebook becomes detail rather than a foreign language.
Class marks matter in Europe. The table maps the main classes to their subcategories; the UK uses UK0–UK4 marks and accepts C marks in transition.
| Class | Maximum weight | Subcategory | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| C0 | Under 250 g | A1 | No overflight of crowds |
| C1 | Under 900 g | A1 | Online test; no overflight of crowds |
| C2 | Under 4 kg | A2 | 30 m from people, 5 m at low speed |
| C3 | Under 25 kg | A3 | 150 m from built-up areas |
| C4 | Under 25 kg | A3 | No automation; 150 m from built-up areas |
Drone rules in the United States
The FAA requires registration for drones of 250 g or more and for any drone flown under Part 107. Registration costs $5 and covers three years; the number must be on the aircraft. Recreational flyers also pass the free TRUST test and carry proof.
Part 107 is the commercial framework: a Remote Pilot Certificate, knowledge test and records. It sets a 400 ft ceiling in uncontrolled airspace, requires visual line of sight and limits speed to 100 mph. Over people, beyond visual line of sight and night operations have conditions or waivers. Remote ID is required for registrable drones, broadcast from the aircraft or a module.
Controlled airspace usually needs LAANC authorisation. Foreign visitors can fly recreationally or apply for Part 107.
Drone rules in the United Kingdom
The CAA framework changed on 1 January 2026. A Flyer ID is now required from 100 g and is free after an online theory test. An Operator ID is required for aircraft of 250 g or more, or 100 g or more with a camera, costs £12.34 per year and must be displayed.
The ceiling is 120 m and VLOS is required. A1 covers overflight with C0 aircraft; A2 requires the A2 Certificate of Competence and keeps 30 m from uninvolved people, or 5 m at low speed; A3 keeps 150 m from built-up areas. New aircraft sold from 2026 need a UK class mark.
Remote ID is built into class marks. Direct Remote ID has applied to UK1–UK3 aircraft since January 2026, and applies to UK0 camera drones, legacy models and privately built aircraft from January 2028; check the CAA timeline.
Drone rules in the European Union
EASA’s Open Category is harmonised, but national no-fly zones are not. A1 covers C0 and C1 aircraft under 900 g, with an online test and no intentional overflight of crowds. A2 covers C2 under 4 kg, requires the A2 certificate and sets a 30 m minimum from uninvolved people, reduced to 5 m in low-speed mode. A3 covers C3 and C4 under 25 kg and keeps 150 m from built-up areas.
The ceiling is 120 m, VLOS is required, and Remote ID is required for C1 and above. Register in the first EU country you fly in; the number is valid across member states. Legacy drones without a class mark are limited to A1 under 250 g or A3. The A2 exam is 30 questions, 75% to pass, valid five years.
How the regions compare
| Region | Registration | Competency | Ceiling | Distance from people | Remote ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | 250 g+; Part 107 all | TRUST or Part 107 exam | 400 ft AGL | Avoid overflight; Part 107 categories | Required if registrable |
| UK | Flyer ID 100 g+; Operator ID 250 g+ or 100 g+ with camera | Flyer ID test | 120 m | 50 m general; 30 m/5 m in A2 | UK1–UK3 now; UK0 2028 |
| EU | Operator registration | A1/A3 online; A2 exam | 120 m | 30 m/5 m in A2; 150 m in A3 | C1 and above |
Local details catch people out: airport zones, prison and military restrictions, event closures and park bylaws.
The sub-250 g myth
A 249 g drone is a product category, not a legal force field. In the US it avoids registration, but TRUST, the 400 ft ceiling, airspace authorisation and VLOS still apply. In the EU, C0 aircraft get A1 privileges but cannot overfly crowds or exceed 120 m. In the UK, a 249 g camera drone needs both a Flyer ID and an Operator ID.
Weight is measured at takeoff. Prop guards, a payload or a bigger battery can push a nominal 249 g aircraft over the line. If the margin is small, check the takeoff weight, not the marketing badge.
Can you fly FPV goggles legally?
Visual line of sight is the requirement, and goggles block it. In the US, Part 107 operations with goggles require a visual observer; recreational flyers must also maintain line of sight, which means a spotter. The UK and EU require VLOS too, and a spotter is the usual way to satisfy it.
Passthrough cameras on headsets such as the DJI Goggles 3 are a safety aid, not a legal substitute. Our Goggles 3 review covers the hardware; the legal question is local.
No-fly zones, travel and batteries
No-fly zones are published by the national authority and shown in apps: airports, military bases, prisons, hospitals, parks and crowded events. Geo-fencing is a manufacturer feature, not law, and can lag restrictions.
Under IATA rules, lithium-ion batteries up to 100 Wh travel in the cabin; 100–160 Wh need airline approval; above 160 Wh are cargo. Most drone batteries are 30–80 Wh. Discharge to around 30%, protect the terminals and check the airline’s limits. Some countries restrict drone imports.
What to actually do
Start with the official source for the country: the FAA, the UK CAA or EASA, plus the national authority. Register, take the required test, label the aircraft, check airspace and temporary restrictions, and keep it in sight. Carry proof and insure if you fly commercially.
Our guide to the best travel drones covers aircraft that are practical to register and carry, and the drones and FPV section has more buying advice.
Common myths
“Under 250 g means no rules.” It may reduce registration, but altitude, line of sight, airspace and privacy rules still apply. The UK requires a Flyer ID from 100 g.
“My registration works abroad.” It does not. The US, UK and EU each require their own registration or operator number.
“Remote ID is optional.” In the US it is required for registrable drones; in the EU it is built into C1 and higher class marks; the UK is phasing it in, with legacy camera drones due by 2028.
“Goggles count as line of sight.” They do not. Most jurisdictions require a spotter who can see the aircraft and the airspace.
FAQ
Do I need a licence to fly a drone in the US?
Recreationally, you need TRUST and registration above 250 g. Commercial flights need a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Neither is a manned-aviation licence, but both carry testing.
Can you fly FPV goggles legally?
Yes, with a visual observer in most cases. The goggles block your view, so a spotter maintains line of sight and warns you of traffic. Check the local rule.
Is a sub-250 g drone legal everywhere?
No. It may avoid registration in some countries, but altitude, distance, privacy and no-fly-zone rules still apply. The UK requires a Flyer ID from 100 g.
Do I need to register a drone for a holiday in Europe?
Usually yes, if it has a camera or weighs 250 g or more. Register in the first EU country you will fly in; the number is valid across member states.
What happens if you fly a drone illegally?
Penalties range from fines to criminal prosecution and can apply to the pilot and operator. Regulators can suspend registrations. Sanctions vary by country.
Bottom line
Drone rules are not global, but they share a logic: register, prove competence, stay in sight, respect altitude and distance limits, and avoid restricted airspace. The US, UK and EU differ in thresholds and paperwork, and details change. Treat 250 g as a product category, not a legal shield; check the official source and assume the stricter interpretation when a flight is borderline.
Evidence note: regulatory details are drawn from published FAA, CAA and EASA guidance as of publication and may change. This article is explanatory, not legal advice; always check the current official source.
