Drone Registration: How to Register Your Drone in Greece

Just bought a drone and wondering if you need to register it? Under Article 14 of EU Regulation 2019/947, every drone operator meeting certain criteria is required to register as a UAS Operator in their country of residence. In Greece, registration is handled through the national registry managed by the HCAA (Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority). In this guide, we explain who needs to register, how the process works, what documents you need, and what happens if you don't comply.

📋 Who Needs to Register?

According to Article 14(5) of EU Regulation 2019/947, registration as a drone operator (UAS Operator) is mandatory in the following cases:

You MUST Register if:

Your drone weighs 250g or more (MTOM)
Your drone has a camera or sensor capable of capturing personal data — regardless of weight
You fly in the Specific or Certified category — with any weight drone
Your drone carries a class label C1, C2, C3 or C4

NO Registration Needed if:

Your drone weighs under 250g AND has no camera
Your drone is classified as a toy under the EU Toy Directive 2009/48/EC
You fly exclusively indoors

⚠️ Important: The vast majority of modern drones (DJI Mini 4 Pro, DJI Air 3S, Autel Evo Lite+, etc.) have cameras, so even if they weigh under 250g, you still need to register because of the personal data capture capability (Article 14(5)(a), Recital 16).

📊 Registration Numbers & Statistics

1.6M+ Registered operators across Europe (EASA, 2026)

€0 Registration cost (Open Category)

16+ Minimum operator age (Article 9)

1 One registration per operator in 1 EU state

🔍 What Exactly Is Operator Registration?

Registration doesn't apply to the drone itself but to you as the operator. EU Regulation 2019/947 makes a clear distinction:

UAS Operator: The natural or legal person who operates or intends to operate one or more drones. Registers ONCE in their country of residence.
Remote Pilot: The person who physically controls the drone during flight. Can be the operator themselves or a third party.
Drone Registration (UAS): Required only for Certified category drones. For Open/Specific, only the operator registers.

After registration, you receive a unique digital registration number that must be displayed on every drone you operate.

🇬🇷 How to Register in Greece

In Greece, the competent authority is the HCAA (Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority). Registration is done electronically through the national UAS operator registry.

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

Before starting the process, prepare:

ID/Passport: Full name, date of birth
Residential address: In Greece (or your main EU residence country)
Email & phone: For communication and verification
Insurance policy number (if applicable): Mandatory for commercial use, Specific/Certified category, or drones >4kg in Open-A2

Step 2: Create an Account in the National Registry

Visit the HCAA operator registration platform. Select “New Registration” and fill in the required fields as per Article 14(2) of the Regulation:

Full name (or company name & tax ID for legal entities)
Address, email, phone number
Insurance policy number (if required)
For legal entities: a statement confirming "All personnel directly involved in the operations are competent and the UAS will be operated only by remote pilots with the appropriate level of competency"

Step 3: Receive Your Registration Number

After successful registration, you receive your unique digital registration number. This number must:

Be displayed on every drone you operate (Article 14(8))
Be visible or accessible during inspection
Be stored in the drone's Remote ID system (if available)

💡 Tip: You can display the registration number with a sticker on the drone or store it in the digital Remote ID system. Some drones (like newer DJI models with C-class labels) let you enter the number in the firmware via the DJI Fly app.

🇪🇺 Registration in Other EU Countries

Under Article 14(6), each operator can register in only one country — their country of residence (natural persons) or principal place of business (legal entities). However, the registration number is valid across the entire EU.

This means that if you register in Greece, you can fly legally in Germany, France, Italy, etc. without a new registration — of course, while following local flight rules (geographical zones, Article 15).

One Registration — All of EU

The registration number is valid in every EASA member state. National registries are digital, harmonized and interoperable (Article 14(4)).

Cross-Border Flights (Specific)

If you fly in the Specific category in another country, you need an additional application to that country's competent authority (Article 13).

Non-EU Tourists

Operators from non-EU countries must register in the member state where they intend to fly for the first time. EASA provides a dedicated registration link.

📱 Digital Identification & Remote ID

Regulation 2019/947 establishes three cornerstones of the U-space system: registration, geo-awareness, and digital identification (Remote ID). Direct Remote Identification is a system that broadcasts drone information locally, allowing authorities to identify the operator without physical access to the aircraft.

Drones with class labels C1, C2 and C3 must have an active Remote ID system broadcasting the registration number during flight. “Legacy” drones without class labels (purchased before July 2023) don't require Remote ID but must carry the registration number on a label.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does registration cost?

Operator registration in the Open Category is free in most member states, including Greece. Some countries charge a small fee (e.g., ~€5-30 / ~$5-33). Specific Category registration may involve additional costs.

Does the DJI Mini 4 Pro (<249g) need registration?

Yes. Despite weighing under 250g, it has a camera capable of capturing personal data. According to Recital 16 of the Regulation, this triggers the registration requirement.

Can I use multiple drones with one registration?

Yes. Registration applies to the operator, not the drone. The same registration number can be displayed on multiple drones you own.

What if I bought my drone abroad?

You register in your country of primary residence. If you live in Greece, you register with the HCAA regardless of where you purchased the drone.

Does the registration expire?

Registration remains valid as long as your information stays accurate. If your address, email or other details change, you must update the registry.

⚖️ What Happens If I DON'T Register?

Failure to register is a violation of EU Regulation 2019/947 and national law. Consequences in Greece may include:

Fines: From €1,000 (~$1,090) to €50,000 (~$54,500) depending on severity
Equipment confiscation: Authorities can seize the drone and controller
Insurance void: Without registration, your insurance company may deny coverage in case of an accident
Criminal prosecution: In serious cases (accidents, no-fly zone violations), lack of registration is an aggravating factor

"Drone operators who fly without registration face fines, equipment confiscation and criminal prosecution — especially if involved in an accident or airspace violation." — EU Regulation 2019/947, Article 14

📞 Useful Contacts

HCAA (Greece)

Email: uas@hcaa.gov.gr
Phone: +30 210 891600
Responsible for operator registration, flight applications, and regulatory information in Greece.

EASA NAA Portal

easa.europa.eu/domains/civil-drones/naa — Central EASA page with registration links for every member state. Also find the registration link for non-EU operators.

DAGR

dagr.hasp.gov.gr — Flight zone mapping system for Greece. Use DAGR after your registration to plan flights.

🔑 Final Takeaway: Drone operator registration is free, fast, and takes just minutes online. There's no reason not to do it. It protects you legally, allows you to fly legally across the entire EU, and is the foundation of safe drone operations. Register today — before you fly.

drone registration UAS operator HCAA Greece EU regulation 2019/947 remote ID EASA drone license aviation authority

Complete Guide to Drone Operator Registration in Greece and EU Countries