Commercial Drones in Lithuania: What Licence Do You Need?
Commercial drone operations in Lithuania are growing — real estate photographers, construction inspection, agricultural businesses, energy sector. But the legal picture isn't always clear. Here's what's actually required.
Does a Separate "Commercial Licence" Exist?
No. The EASA system doesn't treat "commercial" and "hobbyist" as separate legal categories for licensing purposes. Your licence depends on:
In other words: if you photograph for a client but fly under A2 conditions — A2 qualification is sufficient. If you're flying over a city centre with crowds below — you need STS.
- Drone weight and class
- Where you're flying (open vs. specific category)
- Conditions (VLOS/BVLOS, over people or not)
By Operation Type
Real estate photography:
Construction inspection:
Agriculture (agri-drones):
Energy inspection (power lines, wind turbines):
Events and public spaces:
- Typically away from crowds, in low-density areas
- A2 qualification usually sufficient
- Near residential zones or city centres — STS
- Sites often have restricted access — easier to establish a safety perimeter
- A2 usually sufficient
- City centre construction with public around — STS
- Almost always in open fields, away from people
- A3 subcategory or A2 depending on drone weight
- Agri-drones are often heavy (>25kg) — may require certified category
- Wind turbines often in remote areas — A2/A3
- Power line inspection near residential areas — STS
- BVLOS line inspection — individual authorisation required
- Photography over audiences — STS-02 (or prohibited without authorisation)
- One of the most strictly regulated scenarios
Additional Requirements for Commercial Operations
Beyond pilot qualification, commercial work requires:
UAS operator registration: mandatory for everyone (hobbyists over 250g and commercial alike). For legal entities — the company registers, not just the individual pilot.
Third-party liability insurance: not an absolute legal mandate in the open category, but non-negotiable from a business standpoint. Clients, contractors, and insurers often require it.
ConOps (for STS): concept of operations documented for each STS operation type.
Licence documentation: corporate clients often request proof of pilot competency before signing contracts.
Where Are the Opportunities in Lithuania?
Based on industry trends in 2026:
1. Real estate — strongly growing, A2 covers most scenarios
2. Construction monitoring — large projects investing in regular inspection
3. Insurance claims — roof and property damage documentation
4. Media and advertising — heavily regulated in cities (STS), but lucrative
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*Preparing for commercial work? A2STS covers both A2 and STS exam preparation — question bank, simulations, and error tracking.*
---
title: "Drone Photography in Lithuania: A Legal Guide for 2026"
slug: drone-photography-lithuania-legal
category: regulations
readTime: 5
date: 2026-05-26
description: "What's permitted and what's restricted when photographing with a drone in Lithuania. Privacy law, GDPR, no-fly zones, commercial use — all in one place."
---
Drone photography is one of the most popular use cases — and one of the most legally nuanced. Aviation rules and privacy law are two separate systems, and both apply simultaneously.
Two Systems at Once
When you photograph with a drone, you're operating under two legal frameworks:
1. Aviation rules (EASA/TKA): where you can fly, with what qualification, under what conditions. This is what most of this blog covers.
2. Privacy and data protection law (GDPR): what you can film/photograph and how you can use the content.
Both apply independently. You can have a valid A2 qualification and still violate GDPR.
What's Permitted
Public spaces (parks, streets, squares): aerial photography is permitted, but if identifiable people are captured — GDPR considerations apply.
Nature and landscapes: no restrictions, as long as the flight itself is legal.
Your own property: unrestricted.
Someone else's property with consent: permitted with written owner consent.
What's Restricted or Prohibited
Private gardens and yards: photographing without owner consent may violate privacy rights, even if you're flying legally above.
Identifiable individuals: filming people whose faces are visible constitutes personal data under GDPR. Commercial use — consent required.
Military sites: photography prohibited.
State security facilities: photography prohibited or severely restricted.
CTR and D zones: if a zone prohibits flight — photography is prohibited along with the flight.
Commercial Photography — Additional Requirements
If you're selling photography or using it for commercial purposes:
- Model Release: if identifiable people are visible — written consent document required
- Property Release: if private property is featured — owner consent
- Insurance: third-party liability insurance strongly recommended for commercial work
Practical Checklist Before a Shoot
Before: check the map, confirm no restricted zones, consider privacy risks
During filming: if private individuals appear accidentally — consider whether you'll publish, and if so — blur faces
After: store content securely, don't use identifiable individuals without consent
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*Airspace and regulations knowledge is mandatory for any commercial photographer. A2STS has all the exam scenarios you'll need.*
---
title: "Drone Pilot Qualification Renewal: Your 5-Year Cycle Plan"
slug: drone-qualification-renewal-5-year
category: regulations
readTime: 4
date: 2026-05-26
description: "A2 and STS qualifications are valid for 5 years. What happens when they expire, how to renew, and why planning ahead makes it easier."
---
Most pilots receive their certificate and forget one important fact: it has an expiry date. A2 and STS theory qualifications are valid for 5 years. After that — renewal.
What Happens After 5 Years?
When the qualification expires, you technically cannot conduct operations requiring that qualification. An A2 certificate past its expiry date is the equivalent of an expired driving licence.
The chance that TKA monitors every pilot automatically is low. But if an incident occurs and it emerges that the certificate had lapsed — your liability is significantly greater.
How to Renew
The renewal process mirrors the initial exam — you need to pass the theory test at TKA. Same format: A2 — 30/30, STS — 60/60.
Important: regulations change. EASA regularly updates requirements, so over 5 years there may be new rules or revised scenarios. Renewal isn't a formality — it's a real opportunity to update your knowledge.
A Plan in Advance
Recommended strategy:
4 years 6 months after certification: start tracking when your qualification expires.
3 months before expiry: begin preparation. If you've been flying regularly, most knowledge should be retained — but review any regulatory updates.
1–2 months before expiry: register for the TKA exam. In busy periods, slots fill up.
Before the exam: one full simulation. Even as an experienced pilot, format rehearsal reduces exam stress.
Does It Cost the Same?
Yes — the same fee as the original exam (€26 + €27 for the certificate). Renewal is not cheaper than the initial exam.
Multiple Pilots — Organisational Considerations
If you're a UAS operator organisation with multiple pilots, it's important to maintain central tracking of certificate expiry dates. A pilot with an expired certificate cannot conduct client operations — a real business risk.
Recommendation: have HR or operations management set automatic reminders at 6 months and 3 months before each expiry.
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*Renewal coming up? A2STS question bank reflects the latest EASA version — suitable for both initial preparation and renewal.*
---
title: "How Much Does the TKA Drone Exam Cost in 2026?"
slug: tka-exam-cost-2026
category: regulations
readTime: 3
date: 2026-05-26
description: "Full breakdown of TKA A2 and STS exam fees in 2026: registration, theory, certificate, and the extra costs most people don't anticipate."
---
Short and concrete — because that's what people are searching for.
Official TKA Fees 2026
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Theory exam (A2 or STS) | €26 |
| Certificate issuance | €27 |
| Total (exam + certificate) | €53 |
| Resit (if you didn't pass) | €26 |
A1/A3 online quiz — free (online, TKA system).
Additional Costs People Don't Expect
Travel to Vilnius: exams are held at TKA's Vilnius office. If you're based outside Vilnius — factor in travel and possibly accommodation.
Preparation courses: no mandatory courses exist, but if you want an instructor or a structured course — that's a separate cost (€100–300 on the market).
Drone registration: UAS operator registration — free.
Insurance: third-party liability insurance — additional annual cost (€50–500+, depending on your operations).
Is It Worth Paying for a Course?
Many pilots pass the exam independently using question banks and simulations. Courses may be useful if:
Self-study + platform + exam: ~€53 (plus your time).
With a course: €150–350+.
- You're a complete beginner and want structured learning
- You have specific questions that need a real person's answer
- You're preparing for STS and want hands-on instructor support
Can Prices Change?
TKA fees are confirmed annually. Check current prices on the TKA website before registering — the 2026 prices in this article may be updated.
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*Self-preparation on A2STS is free (A1/A3) or a small one-time fee (A2 and STS) — significantly cheaper than any available course.*
---
title: "Free A1/A3 Practice: Where to Find It and How to Use It Well"
slug: free-a1-a3-drone-practice
category: a1a3
readTime: 4
date: 2026-05-26
description: "The best free resources for A1/A3 drone exam preparation, how to use them effectively, and how much time you actually need before the online quiz."
---
The A1/A3 quiz is your first step to becoming a legal drone pilot. It's free, online, and has no time limit. But that doesn't mean you should walk in unprepared.
Where to Find Free Material
A2STS platform: 246-question bank with explanations — completely free. Topic tests, progress tracking, error review. The most comprehensive Lithuanian-language preparation resource available.
TKA system: official learning material on the TKA website. Sometimes formal in presentation, but always current.
EASA e-learning: the European Aviation Safety Agency's official online course. In English, but systematically covers all required theory.
How Much Time Do You Need?
Realistically:
The A1/A3 quiz is medium difficulty — not trivial, but not overwhelming.
- Beginner with no aviation background: 5–10 days, 30–45 min/day
- With technical experience: 3–5 days
- Last-minute review (studied before): 1–2 days
How to Structure Your Preparation
Days 1–2: theory — EASA category system, drone classes, core terminology.
Days 3–4: topic tests — regulations, safety, airspace, human factors.
Days 5–7: daily mini tests (10 questions). If you're hitting ≥ 85% — you're ready.
Before the quiz: one full simulation. If ≥ 80% — go ahead confidently.
How Is It Different From the A2 Exam?
The A1/A3 is an online quiz taken from home, any time. No time limit, no supervision, you can move between questions. Pass mark: 75% (≥ 30 of 40 questions).
The TKA A2 exam is different: supervised classroom environment, time limit, observed. That's why A1/A3 preparation is a good starting point — but not sufficient preparation for A2.
After A1/A3 — What's Next?
The A1/A3 qualification gives you basic operating rights. For most pilots, it's the first step toward:
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*A2STS A1/A3 preparation is completely free — 246 questions, topic tests, progress tracking. Start today.*
---
title: "C4 Class Drones: Features and Exam Requirements"
slug: c4-class-drone-requirements
category: safety
readTime: 4
date: 2026-05-26
description: "What are C4 class drones, what operational restrictions apply, and what qualification is needed — A3 or STS?"
---
C4 is one of the most frequently misunderstood points in the drone classification system. Heavier drones, specific requirements, and yet — used in the A3 subcategory without complex qualifications. Here's how it works.
- A2 exam (requires the additional TKA theory exam)
- STS preparation (requires A1/A3 as a foundation)
What Is C4 Class?
In the EASA classification, C4 is a drone that:
Importantly: C4 has no automatic speed or altitude limiting — which means pilot responsibility is greater.
- Weighs less than 25 kg
- Is fixed-wing or multirotor
- Has no automatic safety limitation functions (unlike C0–C3)
- Is CE-marked by the manufacturer as C4
Where Can C4 Be Used?
C4 drones belong to the A3 subcategory. This means:
Qualification: A1/A3 quiz (same as for A1 and lighter A3 drones). No A2 theory exam at TKA required.
- Flights must be conducted away from people and populated areas
- Minimum distance from residential, commercial, and industrial zones: 150 metres
- Cannot fly over people or assemblies
When Is C4 Used in STS?
If you want to conduct specific category operations with a C4 drone (e.g., over people, in a city), you'd need STS qualification and the appropriate drone class (STS-01 uses C5, STS-02 uses C6).
But C4 by definition doesn't meet C5/C6 class requirements — meaning C4 cannot be used in STS scenarios (unless the manufacturer provides appropriate certification).
Practical Example
An agricultural spraying drone weighing 18kg, marked as C4, can fly in the A3 subcategory over open fields with only the A1/A3 quiz qualification. But if that same drone is needed near a residential area — a different solution is required (either STS with an appropriate drone, or a different operational framework).
C4 in the Exam
C4 class questions typically ask:
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*Drone classes and subcategory system — one of six core A2/STS exam areas. A2STS question bank has all classification questions with explanations.*
- In which subcategory can C4 be used?
- What distance requirements apply in the A3 subcategory?
- Can C4 be used in STS scenarios?
Social Media and Publishing
When publishing drone photos and video:
Important: "I didn't realise it was private" is not a defence under GDPR.