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Defence Industry and Space

Unmanned aircraft

UAV
Unmanned aircraft

offer huge potential for developing innovative civil applications in a wide variety of sectors

Unmanned aircraft, commonly called drones, offer huge potential for developing innovative civil applications in a wide variety of sectors that benefit European society, and will contribute to creating new businesses and jobs. 

With the drone strategy 2.0, adopted in 2022, the European Commission sets out a vision for the further development of the European drone market. 

Building on the EU drone strategy 2.0, the Commission has introduced on 11 February 2026 an action plan for drone and counter-drone security to strengthen resilience against hostile drone activity, while supporting drones’ full potential in transport and beyond. 

An expert group on drones was established in April 2017. It acts as a sounding board and assists the Commission in the conception and implementation of the EU drone Strategy.

See DG MOVE website

European regulatory framework for civil drones

Safe operations of civil drones are ensured by a regulatory framework based on Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 establishing common rules in the field of civil aviation (EASA Basic Regulation). It is proportionate to the risk of operations and includes 3 categories of operations (open, specific and certified). It strikes a balance between the obligations of drone manufacturers and operators in terms of safety, security, respect for privacy, the environment and protection against noise. 

This framework includes:

  • Rules on operations: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 defines the rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft. The rules cover each category of operations, from those not requiring prior permission (open category), to those involving certified aircraft and operators. This Regulation is complemented by AMC adopted by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
  • Requirements on drones: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 establishes a union harmonization legislation (CE marking) defining the requirements applicable to drones performing the lower risk operations (‘open’ category of operations and ‘standard scenario). 

Guidance document

The Guide to the application of the Drone Regulation (EU) 2019/945 is available in English. It provides detailed explanations of the Regulation. 

Guide to the application of drone regulation 1.0 (published May 2026) | Defence Industry and Space

Guidance Material for Regulation (EU) 2019/947 is developed by EASA. 

For more information, see FAQ and general information on EASA website 

Market surveillance

Market surveillance ensures that products placed on the EU market are safe and comply with applicable legislative requirements.

See the lists of national market surveillance authorities responsible for the Drone Regulation (EU) 2019/945 below:

European cooperation on market surveillance takes place through informal groups of market surveillance authorities, called Administrative Cooperation groups (AdCos). The Commission supports these groups. The AdCo on UAS generally meets three times a year, either in-person or online.

Administrative Cooperation group on UAS market surveillance (access is limited to representatives of national market surveillance authorities and other authorized stakeholders)

Notified bodies

EU countries inform the Commission and the other EU countries about which notified bodies are designated to carry out conformity assessments according to the Drone Regulation (EU) 2019/945. Notification of notified bodies and their withdrawal are the responsibility of the notifying EU country.

Find bodies notified under the Drone Regulation (EU) 2019/945 through the NANDO information system

European coordination of notified bodies (access is limited to representatives of notified bodies and other authorised stakeholders)

Addressing risks to citizens’ privacy and personal data resulting from drone operations

Drone operations may create several risks to citizens’ fundamental rights to privacy and personal data protection as highlighted in the following 

Opinions
Studies
Privacy and data protection issues

Privacy and data protection issues have been considered in the development of drone regulations. However, the right to privacy and protection of personal data create obligations (including under the General Data Protection Regulation) on drones operators and pilots. In order to help them coping with these obligations specific material has been developed by the  DRONERULES project funded by the European Commission and made available on EASA website: