Law & zones
Professional and commercial drone licence in the EU
Paid work often moves beyond basic Open category limits. STS standard scenarios or a Specific category operational authorisation may be required — plus insurance and risk assessment.
Contents
Quick answer
Start with A1/A3 (and A2 if needed). Commercial flights may require STS or Specific category approval depending on risk and scenario.
Open vs Specific category
Open category covers low-risk recreational and some commercial use within strict limits. Higher risk → Specific category with SORA or STS.
STS for common commercial jobs
- Pre-defined scenarios in EU regulation
- Theoretical STS exam plus declaration
- Useful for repeatable inspection and mapping work
Insurance and business setup
Many member states require third-party liability insurance for commercial operators. Combine certificate, registration and insurance before client work.
Frequently asked questions
- Is A2 enough for commercial photography?
- Sometimes in Open A2 — but crowded events or BVLOS need Specific category or STS.
- How do I prepare for STS?
- Use A2STS STS mock exams and study STS-01/STS-02 procedures.
Authority & sources
A2STS Editorial · Reviewed by: EASA UAS syllabus aligned