Can I fly FPV alone, without an observer?

No, not in the open category: the ULC requires direct line of sight, except with the help of an observer placed next to the pilot. An FPV flight without an observer is beyond visual line of sight.

Do I have to declare my flight?

Yes: Polish law subjects every operation to a declaration to PAŻP, and the ULC specifies that the pilot declares the flight before each operation, in the manner PAŻP indicates (DroneTower app). See the Zones section.

Does Glydar display Poland’s zones?

No. Glydar’s map does not display Poland’s regulations — see the coverage. To check before flying: the DroneMap map.

What is the risk in case of an offence?

Administrative fines from the ULC, up to 10,000 zł per offence for a zone not respected or an unregistered operator. The cases and their limits are in the Penalties section.

Is there a specific category? Why does this guide not cover it?

Yes: for medium-risk operations that fall outside the open category — with a LUC certificate or an authorisation. Glydar does not cover it: it is aimed at pilots who fly mostly for recreation, therefore in the open category, and a short, checked guide is better than an approximate one on a more complex regime. The official guide is the ULC’s: the specific category.

Is this guide enough to fly legally?

No: it simplifies the open category and refers to the texts. Responsibility for checking is yours — see the Responsibility section.

Flying a drone in Poland: the regulations guide (open category)

1 · The open category

The European regulation applies in Poland, adapted by the Aviation Act (“Prawo lotnicze”), and the authority is the ULC (Civil Aviation Office). In the open category: a drone under 25 kg, at no more than 120 m above the ground, in direct line of sight of the pilot or an observer — see the European framework. The sub-categories, according to the ULC:

A1 — flying over people is possible, never over crowds.
A2 — 30 m from people (5 m if the drone limits its speed).
A3 — at least 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas.

Unclassed drones placed on the market before 1 January 2024: A1 if they weigh under 250 g, A3 if they weigh under 25 kg.
Remote identification : mandatory since 1 January 2024 for classes C1, C2, C3, C5 and C6, not for C0 and C4 nor for unclassed drones in A1 or A3.
Minimum age : 14, except a privately built drone under 250 g, a C0 toy in A1, or the direct supervision of a competent pilot.
At night : permitted, with a flashing green light on the drone.

2 · Zones: DroneMap and the flight declaration

PAŻP (the air navigation agency) sets the geographical zones. Before every flight, check the DroneMap map or the DroneTower app. And, a Polish particularity, every operation must be declared to PAŻP (Act, art. 156a): the ULC points out that the pilot declares the flight, before each operation, in the manner PAŻP indicates.

DRA-P : zone prohibited to drones, with exceptions. DRA-R : restricted zone. In the DRA-R zones of the control zones of commercial airports, PAŻP’s consent is required, through a flight plan filed at least 24 hours beforehand.
Around controlled airports : in the open category, no flying in the 1 km DRA-RL zones; not above 30 m in the DRA-RM zones up to 6 km without A2 competency (awkward wording in the source, reproduced as is). Since 5 February 2026, in the DRA-R of control zones, only pilots holding the A1/A3 competency fly, with a drone fitted with the automatic return function.
National parks and nature reserves : the Act penalises flying motorised aircraft below set heights (art. 209q) — a general text, not specific to drones.

⚠️ Glydar’s map does not display Poland’s regulations: the DroneMap map prevails, to be checked before every flight — see the coverage, country by country.

3 · Registration, training and insurance

Operator registration : free, on drony.gov.pl. Mandatory for a drone of 250 g or more, or one that can transfer more than 80 joules, or fitted with a personal data sensor (a camera), except toys. The number is affixed to each drone. The validity period is not stated in the sources consulted.
Training : A1/A3, free online training and test (40 questions, 75%), valid for five years; A2 adds practical self-training and a supplementary exam. Under 250 g, it is enough to know the manual well.
Third-party liability insurance : mandatory since 13 November 2025 for a drone of 0.25 to 20 kg (Act, art. 209), with minimum cover of 50,000 special drawing rights per event. Not covered, in particular, is damage from an operation carried out in breach of the law.

4 · FPV and immersive flying

None of the Polish pages consulted mention FPV. The ULC cites the European rule: the drone stays in direct line of sight, except with the help of an observer who stands next to the pilot; immersive flying therefore requires an observer — see the European framework.

5 · Before every flight

Check DroneMap and declare the flight to PAŻP (DroneTower).
Operator number on the drone, certificate if the drone exceeds 250 g, insurance if the drone weighs from 250 g to 20 kg.
Do not hinder rescue operations.

This guide simplifies — it replaces neither the official texts nor an up-to-date check. When in doubt: ULC, PAŻP.

6 · Penalties: what the law says

In Poland, the Aviation Act (art. 209un) provides for administrative fines, imposed by the President of the ULC (amounts in złoty). Here is what the text provides, with nothing added:

Operation not complying with the conditions of a geographical zone : 10,000 zł per offence.
Operator not registered when required : 10,000 zł. Register data not updated in time: 500 zł.
Open category: breach of the conditions of art. 4 of the European regulation : 4,000 zł per offence.
No third-party liability insurance (art. 209o): 4,000 zł.

The criminal articles of the Act (art. 210 to 212: prison for certain flights without a licence or against a prohibition) refer to “the aircraft” in general: their application to a recreational remote pilot is not established here. These are maximums: the authority assesses each case. They are those of the text at the date this guide was checked (October 2026) — the text of the law prevails, not this page.

7 · Your responsibility, and what Glydar does

Glydar informs; it exempts from nothing. This guide draws on official sources but is not itself an official source, does not guarantee that they are exhaustive or up to date, and does not constitute authorisation to fly.

The remote pilot remains solely responsible for the flight and for compliance, as the terms of use recall. Everything needed to check is within reach: the coverage, country by country, the official map and the texts cited below.

Flying a drone in Poland: the regulations guide