How to Avoid Thousands of Euros in Fines and Legally Fly a Drone in Croatia

Drones have become an indispensable tool for photographers, filmmakers, surveyors, builders, and even farmers in recent years, as well as an increasingly popular toy for hobbyists. However, no matter how accessible and easy to use they are, their operation is subject to clear rules.

Like other European Union member states, Croatia has clearly defined regulations that specify who, where, and how one may fly. The penalties for those who ignore these rules can be steep.

– Fines are quite high because they were initially copied from aviation, where the figures are very large – says Goran Bajči, co-owner and director of OneDrone, a company specializing in the full spectrum of drone-related services, from production and sales to training, consulting, and servicing.

Indeed, given that drones are today technologically exceptionally advanced and can fly kilometers away, record in high resolution, and carry payloads, this very power also represents a risk.

– People often perceive drones as toys and think they can do whatever they want with them. They do not realize that they are entering airspace where passenger traffic occurs and where sports aircraft fly – says Bajči, emphasizing that irresponsible flying can pose a serious danger.

The regulations are not there to ‘make life difficult’ for anyone, but to ensure the safety of all participants in air traffic. The rules are established at the level of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and in Croatia, they are enforced by the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency (HACZ – CCAA).

Open vs. Special Category

Within the EU, three categories for drone management are defined: open, special, and certified.

In the open category, hobbyists and smaller operators fly smaller drones, outside populated areas and without flying over people. Contrary to popular belief, complicated paperwork is not required for this simplest, open category, and anyone wishing to fly legally can complete the free training offered by the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency.

– For the open category, you do not need ‘a hundred papers’. It is quite well organized here. There is a free exam and a very clear procedure. Once you sort out the basics, it is very easy to be a legal flyer in the open category – explains Bajči.

For professionals and companies wishing to take a step further, that is, to fly beyond visual line of sight, in populated areas, or with heavier aircraft, it is necessary to obtain a solution for the special category and have developed internal processes, which include training, flight records, and an operational manual.

In the special category, there are larger drones, over 25 kilograms of takeoff weight. Here, more detailed documentation is required, and all those in the special category are subject to regular oversight by HACZ.

– If the operator does not comply with the prescribed rules, the Agency can revoke their operating permit in the special category – warns Bajči.

How to Avoid Fines and Fly Legally

Although many find the procedure complicated, it is actually very simple to be legal with a drone in the air in Croatia, especially if flying in the open category. It is necessary to register as an operator, pass the exam, report flights via the AMC portal, have insurance, and respect altitude and area flight restrictions.

On the other hand, according to the Aviation Act, depending on the type of offense, fines for individuals range from 400 to 2000 euros, for legal entities from 2700 to 13,400 euros, while fines for responsible persons in legal entities range from 670 to 2000 euros.

These fines were originally applied to manned aircraft and now also apply to drones, but they are generally minimal, except in cases of more serious violations. Violations can include, for example, operating a drone outside the conditions of the open category or without insurance.

Bajči notes that the problem for hobbyists is not so much created by HACZ as it is by the State Geodetic Administration, which restricts the publication of drone footage without prior approval.

It should also be noted that the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency primarily acts preventively regarding drones, rather than repressively. Bajči emphasizes that they always strive to guide and educate those interested in drones.

– The Agency aims to guide, educate, and allow you to perhaps correct some mistake, and they have a lot of patience. However, if someone constantly violates the law or does not have the necessary documentation, they can be sure that some kind of penalty will follow – concludes Bajči.

Ultimately, it all comes down to personal responsibility and awareness that a drone is not a toy, but an aircraft sharing airspace with airplanes.

– Being a participant in air traffic carries responsibility, just like driving a car. Those who understand this will not have problems – concludes our interlocutor.