Drone Laws in Budapest: What You MUST Know Before You Fly

• Hungary follows EU Regulations 2019/945 and 2019/947, applying the Open, Specific, and Certified categories, with Open flights limited to 120 m altitude, Visual Line of Sight, and no flights over large assemblies.
• Hungary requires national registration for virtually all drones above toy criteria, insurance is mandatory, and any flight within Budapest’s built-up area requires a special permit obtained well in advance.
• As of January 1, 2024, Remote ID is mandatory for most drones, with Specific-category drones and class-marked Open-category drones broadcasting the operator’s registration number.
• Drone registration is required for drones heavier than 120 g or with cameras or capable of more than 100 m range, and EU registrations are valid in Hungary for visitors, while non-EU residents must register in Hungary.
• Remote pilot competency rules require an EU A1/A3 online certificate for drones over 250 g, the optional A2 certificate to fly closer to people, and a minimum age of 16 (younger pilots require supervision).
• Third-party liability insurance is mandatory for all drones, with minimum cover: 3 million HUF per incident and 6 million per policy period for 0.25–4 kg; 5 million per incident and 10 million per period for 4–20 kg; over 20 kg requires 10 million per incident.
• In Budapest, any flight in built-up areas requires a Temporary Airspace permit issued by the Military Aviation Authority, with 30–40 days lead time (45–60 days for large operations), realistic processing times, and activation/deactivation via ATC and the MyDroneSpace app.
• No-fly zones include the Budapest area around LHBP airport, with a CTR where you may fly up to 40 m AGL only outside the inner no-fly zone, and restrictions within 3 km of airports, 300 m of critical infrastructure, and 21 days advance clearance for Parliament area.
• The MyDroneSpace app or web version is mandatory for planning and logging flights, and if the app cannot connect you must not fly, with the map showing no-fly zones and restricted areas.
• Penalties for violations can reach up to 100 million HUF in fines, potential criminal charges for privacy invasions (up to 60 days or up to 1 year imprisonment), and possible confiscation of equipment.

Flying a drone in Budapest can reward you with stunning aerial views of this historic city – but it comes with strict rules and regulations. Hungary’s drone laws are among the more stringent in Europe, combining EU-wide regulations with additional national restrictions. Before you launch your drone by the Danube or capture the Parliament’s silhouette, here is everything you must know to stay legal and safe.

Overview of Hungary’s Drone Law (Applicable in Budapest)

Hungary classifies drones as unmanned aircraft and has fully adopted the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) framework, with extra national rules in place ceelegalmatters.com ceelegalmatters.com. In general, drone operation is legal in Hungary, including for visitors, as long as you comply with all regulations uavcoach.com. Key points to understand:

• EU Regulatory Base: As an EU member, Hungary follows the EU drone regulations (Commission Regulations 2019/945 and 2019/947), including the “open”, “specific”, and “certified” categories for drone operations ceelegalmatters.com ceelegalmatters.com. Most hobby flights fall under the Open category, which has standardized limitations (e.g. max 120 m altitude, Visual Line of Sight, no flying over large assemblies of people) uavcoach.com uavcoach.com. Higher-risk or advanced operations (like flying heavier drones, over crowds, or beyond visual line of sight) may require Specific category authorization or Certified category certification ceelegalmatters.com.
• Hungary’s Additional Rules: Hungary imposes stricter requirements on top of EU rules. All drones above “toy” criteria must be registered nationally (more on this below) ceelegalmatters.com ceelegalmatters.com, insurance is compulsory, and flying in any built-up (inhabited) area – which includes all of Budapest – requires a special permit obtained well in advance ceelegalmatters.com. In effect, casual drone flights that might be allowed elsewhere in Europe (such as a lightweight drone over a city park) are not allowed in Budapest without prior authorization ceelegalmatters.com.
• Recent Updates (2024–2025): New EU rules that took effect at the end of 2023 now apply. Drone classification labels (C0 through C4) and associated operating subcategories are in full effect as of 2024 drone-laws.com drone-laws.com, meaning older drones without class marks face more limitations. Remote Identification (Remote ID) is now required for most drones: as of January 1, 2024, all drones in the Specific category and all class-marked drones in Open category must broadcast a remote ID signal with the operator’s registration number drone-laws.com. Ensure your drone’s firmware is updated or add a remote ID module if required. Additionally, Hungary’s drone authority continues to refine rules – always check for any latest notices before flying earthofdrones.com.

Recreational vs. Commercial Drone Use

One important aspect of Hungarian law is that recreational (hobby) and commercial drone pilots are largely subject to the same rules. There is no separate “easy” set of rules for hobbyists – permits, registration, and insurance apply across the board uavcoach.com. That said, your intended use and the nature of your operation can place you in different categories:

• Recreational Flights (Leisure): If you are flying for fun and can operate entirely within the EU Open category limits (small drone, under 120 m altitude, away from crowds, outside no-fly zones, etc.), you still need to register and have insurance, but you might not need additional authorization if you stay outside populated areas ceelegalmatters.com. However, any flight within Budapest or other populated areas will require going through the permit process (details below) regardless of hobby intent ceelegalmatters.com. Essentially, for a tourist or local hobbyist, flying in open countryside is feasible under general rules, but flying over the city for “fun” is not allowed without a permit.
• Commercial Flights (Professional/Economic Activity): Commercial drone use (for example, aerial photography services, filmmaking, inspections, or delivery) must also follow the same baseline laws (registration, insurance, permit for city flights). In addition, many professional operations might fall into the Specific category, especially if they involve heavier drones or operations beyond the Open category constraints ceelegalmatters.com. For instance, using a drone for filming a movie scene in downtown Budapest or for a large event will require not just the standard permit for airspace, but potentially an operational authorization from the national aviation authority under Specific category rules. This entails a safety risk assessment and additional documentation beyond what hobbyists do. Furthermore, when applying for a temporary airspace permit in Hungary, you must declare whether the flight is for leisure, economic (commercial), or state purposes – and official/government or business-related flights are given priority in approvals over purely recreational flights legter.hu. In practice, commercial operators should plan even further ahead, ensure they have any necessary licenses/certificates (e.g. A2 remote pilot certificate or higher), and possibly coordinate with local authorities for filming permits if shooting at sensitive sites.

Bottom line: Whether you are a tourist flying for fun or a company doing aerial work, Hungary’s core requirements do not change – you must be properly registered, insured, and (if in Budapest or other urban areas) permitted. Commercial operators, however, may face additional layers of regulatory oversight depending on the complexity of their operations.

Registration and Licensing Requirements

Drone Registration: Hungary mandates registration for virtually all drones and drone operators beyond the very lightest toys. If your drone weighs over 120 grams, has a camera or sensor, can fly more than 100 m from you, or is not a toy intended for sub-14-year-olds, it must be registered with the Hungarian aviation authority drone-laws.com. In practice, this means almost any camera-equipped drone – even a tiny 249g DJI Mini – requires registration in Hungary (the 120 g threshold is much lower than the 250 g threshold in the basic EU rules) drone-laws.com ceelegalmatters.com. The registration process includes registering yourself (as a UAS operator) and your drone(s):

• Residents: Hungarian citizens or residents can register via an online system (using a Hungarian electronic ID) or by mail. The process issues you a UAS Operator Registration Number, which is valid for one year and must be renewed annually drone-laws.com drone-laws.com. This number must be marked on your drone and used in its remote ID broadcasts. All drones you own are linked to this operator ID.
• Visitors (Tourists): If you already hold an EU/EASA drone operator registration from your home country (for example, you registered in another EU country), that registration is valid in Hungary – you do not need to register again, as long as you mark your drone with your existing operator ID drone-laws.com. If you do not have any EASA registration (e.g. you’re visiting from a non-EU country), you must register in Hungary before flying drone-laws.com drone-laws.com. Non-EU residents cannot use the online system (it requires a Hungarian ID), so the registration must be done by paper mail or through an authorized service (the company Légtér.hu offers assistance with foreign registrations for a fee) drone-laws.com legter.hu. Note that each operator (person or company) should register only once in one EU country – if Hungary ends up being your point of registration, that ID will be recognized EU-wide as well.
• Marking and Documentation: Once registered, you receive an Operator ID. This ID number must be affixed visibly on your drone (typically on a sticker or label) earthofdrones.com earthofdrones.com. You should also carry proof of your registration and any pilot competency certificates when flying, in case of inspection.

Remote Pilot Competency: To fly in the Open category, pilots must meet EASA’s competency requirements. In Hungary (as in all EU states), no formal training is required for the very smallest drones (under 250 g) flown recreationally, but it is strongly recommended to at least read the user manual and understand the rules legter.hu. For any drone over 250 g, the remote pilot must complete the online training and pass the exam for the EU “A1/A3” certificate at minimum legter.hu. This can usually be done via the online portal of the aviation authority – the test covers air safety, restrictions, privacy, etc. For certain operations, you may need the A2 certificate (which involves additional theory exam and a practical self-training declaration) – for example, if you want to fly a drone up to 2 kg closer than 50 m to people (which is generally not allowed in urban areas without this certification) legter.hu. Minimum age for a remote pilot in the Open category is 16 years in Hungary (the default EU age, as Hungary has not opted to lower it) drone-laws.com drone-laws.com. Pilots under 16 can operate only under direct supervision of an adult with a license.

Insurance: Third-party liability insurance is mandatory for all drone operations in Hungary (except perhaps the tiniest toys) cms-lawnow.com. This requirement was introduced in 2021 to ensure that any damage or injury caused by your drone is covered. The law specifies minimum coverage amounts based on the drone’s weight:

• Drones 0.25 kg up to 4 kg: at least HUF 3 million coverage per incident (≈ €8,500), and HUF 6 million aggregate over the policy period cms-lawnow.com.
• Drones 4 kg up to 20 kg: at least HUF 5 million per incident (≈ €14,100), and HUF 10 million per period cms-lawnow.com.
• Drones over 20 kg: at least HUF 10 million coverage (≈ €28,200) cms-lawnow.com.

Make sure to obtain a drone liability insurance policy that meets these limits before flying (many EU-wide drone insurance plans should suffice, but verify the coverage amount and that Hungary is included). Carry proof of insurance, as you could be asked to show it if stopped by authorities. While some tourist resources may say insurance is “recommended” for visitors drone-laws.com, the safer interpretation is that it’s legally required for anyone flying a drone in Hungary, local or foreign. The insurance only needs to cover third-party damages (it won’t cover loss/damage to your own drone – that’s optional) cms-lawnow.com.

Remote ID Compliance: As noted, starting 2024 many drones must have Remote ID. Practically, if your drone is a recent model with a class C1–C3 label, it likely has built-in Remote ID broadcasting. If you have an older or home-built drone over 250 g, you might need to attach a separate Remote ID module that transmits your operator ID during flight drone-laws.com. This is important in cities – authorities on the ground might use receivers to check if a drone aloft is broadcasting a valid ID tied to a registered operator. Non-compliance can result in penalties. (Small C0 class drones under 250 g without Remote ID are still allowed in limited operations, and C4 class drones – typically larger hobby planes without cameras – are exempt from Remote ID if flown in the appropriate subcategory drone-laws.com drone-laws.com.)

Permits for Flying in Budapest (Temporary Airspace Authorization)

If you plan to fly anywhere within Budapest or other “built-up” areas, you must obtain a special flight permit in advance. This is one of the most critical aspects of Hungary’s drone laws: regular drone flights over cities, towns, or populated areas are not automatically allowed, even for small drones ceelegalmatters.com. Instead, Hungary uses a system of “Occasional (Temporary) Designated Airspace” permits. Here’s what that means and how to comply:

• When a Permit is Needed: The law requires an approved temporary airspace for each drone flight over an inhabited area. “Populated (built-up) area” essentially means within any city, town, or village limits – so virtually all of Budapest is included. Only flights in uninhabited areas (open countryside) are exempt from this airspace permit requirement, and even then you must avoid the special no-fly zones discussed later legter.hu. In short, to fly in Budapest you need permission, whereas to fly in a remote rural field you just need to follow general rules (registration, max altitude, etc.).
• Permit Issuing Authority: The permits for drone airspace are handled by the Military Aviation Authority (a department of the Ministry of Defence), in coordination with civilian air traffic control. This is because drone flights in cities are treated as a potential security and airspace issue. You will be requesting the creation of a Temporary Reserved Airspace just for your flight. The Hungarian General Directorate for Air Transport (civil aviation authority) and HungaroControl (air navigation service) are also involved in managing these requests uavcoach.com earthofdrones.com.
• Lead Time – Apply Early: You must submit the application well in advance of your intended flight. The law stipulates at least 30 days prior to the flight for domestic applicants cms-lawnow.com, but in practice it is recommended to apply 35–40 days ahead (and foreigners 40+ days ahead) because of processing time legter.hu legter.hu. In fact, the Ministry of Defence has informally advised applying 45–60 days before large or important operations ceelegalmatters.com. Last-minute or spontaneous drone flights in Budapest are effectively impossible due to this requirement.
• Application Process: The permit application is submitted electronically via a special form (or e-mail) to the Military Aviation Authority (as of 2025 this is done through the government e-portal or by email). There is a small administrative fee for each application (currently around HUF 3,000 per request, roughly €8) earthofdrones.com. You will need to provide detailed information, including:
  • Applicant’s personal details (name, address, contact phone, and if applicable, tax number) uavcoach.com.
  • Exact location of the flight – typically coordinates defining a radius or polygon where you will fly. For example, a 200 m radius circle around a given lat/long coordinate uavcoach.com.
  • Altitude limits – the lower and upper altitude of your operation (note that even with a permit, 120 m AGL is the max allowed) uavcoach.com.
  • Dates and times of the operation – you can request a window (e.g. a range of dates, specific hours each day) but note that permits are generally granted for at most 7 consecutive days at a time legter.hu.
  • Purpose of flight – e.g. “aerial photography for personal travel vlog” or “commercial building inspection” (ensure your reason is legitimate; by default choose “UAS operation for leisure” if hobby, or “economic purposes” if commercial) legter.hu.
  • Responsible pilot/coordinator – the name and phone number of the person in charge of the flight who will coordinate with air traffic control uavcoach.com (often this is you, the pilot).
  You also must include a statement that you are aware of privacy laws and will respect them cms-lawnow.com. Incomplete applications or missing info can cause rejection or delays, so be thorough.
• Permit Approval and Activation: Once submitted, the request is evaluated by the authorities. They will check for conflicts with other airspace activities and may deny or modify your requested area/times. If approved, you’ll receive documentation of a temporarily designated airspace reserved for your operation. Before your flight, you must “activate” this airspace by contacting the Budapest Air Traffic Services center about 30 minutes prior to takeoff earthofdrones.com. Essentially, you call ATC to confirm you are starting your operation, so they can alert any other airspace users. After finishing the flight, you must call again to “deactivate” the airspace earthofdrones.com. (If you don’t do this, your permit is not considered validly in use, and you could be treated as an unauthorized flight.) During your operation, you are required to have the MyDroneSpace app or web interface running to log your flight (more on this in the next section) and stay responsive on the phone in case air traffic controllers need to reach you.
• Permit Restrictions: The permit will confine you to the specified area, time, and altitudes. You must still follow all base safety rules (don’t fly over uninvolved people, etc., unless explicitly allowed). Also note, within 3 km of any airport, even with a temporary airspace permit, you will need additional coordination and a safety assessment with the airport authorities legter.hu. In Budapest, this primarily concerns the areas near Liszt Ferenc International Airport (see No-Fly Zones below). If your intended flight area overlaps the airport’s vicinity, you’ll have to work that out in the application (in many cases, it may simply be denied for safety).

Obtaining a drone permit in Hungary is admittedly bureaucratic and time-consuming ceelegalmatters.com. Many pilots choose to avoid flying in cities, or hire local experts to handle the paperwork. If you do go through this process, plan far ahead. For travelers, it can be daunting – consider reaching out to local drone clubs or companies for help, or restrict your drone use to rural attractions where you won’t need a permit. Remember, flying in Budapest without this permit is illegal and can lead to severe penalties.

Allowed Areas vs. No-Fly Zones in Budapest

Even with the above permit, or if you are flying outside populated areas, you must be aware of geographical zones where drones are restricted or prohibited. Hungary has defined several types of airspace where drones either cannot fly at all or have special conditions. In and around Budapest, pay particular attention to the following:

No-Drone Zones Around Airports: The most prominent no-fly area in Budapest is around the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (LHBP). A “No Drone Zone” is legally designated around the airport’s controlled airspace legter.hu. As the map above illustrates, the innermost zone (shown in red) covers the airport and immediate surroundings – drone operations are strictly forbidden in this area for security and air traffic safety legter.hu. In the wider Budapest control zone (CTR) (outlined in white), drones are generally not allowed either; however, special rule: if you are outside the inner no-fly zone but still within the CTR, you may fly a drone up to 40 m (132 ft) above ground without specific air traffic control permission ais-en.hungarocontrol.hu legter.hu.* This 40 m exception is mainly intended for low-level hobby flights in rural parts of the CTR – it does not waive the requirement for a permit if the area is populated legter.hu (and much of the CTR includes Budapest suburbs which are populated). It simply means that, say, outside the city near the edge of the CTR, a farmer could fly a drone below tree-top level without calling ATC – but you still can’t fly high or in sensitive areas of the CTR without coordination. Besides Budapest, Hungary has no-drone zones at other airports: the military air bases at Kecskemét, Pápa, Szolnok, and around Bácsbokod airfield are similarly off-limits ais-en.hungarocontrol.hu.

Smaller Airfields and Helipads: Budapest has some small aerodromes (e.g. Budaörs Airport just outside the city) and hospital helipads. Around any airport that has an ATZ (Air Traffic Zone) or even just a traffic information zone, you must get permission from the airport operator before flying nearby legter.hu. Typically, keep at least 2 km away from any airfield and 750 m away from any hospital helipad to be safe legter.hu legter.hu. If you need to fly closer, you must notify the aviation authority at least 2 days in advance and obtain the airport’s explicit consent legter.hu legter.hu. These are general restrictions even outside cities. Within Budapest, for example, flying near the downtown hospital helipads (if any) without clearance would violate these rules.

Government and Sensitive Sites: Hungary prohibits drone flights in the vicinity of critical infrastructure and government buildings. It is illegal to fly within 300 m of designated protected sites or critical installations (e.g. military facilities, power plants) without special permission legter.hu. In Budapest, the entire governmental district (code LHR1 airspace), including the area around the Hungarian Parliament building, is a forbidden zone for drones legter.hu. Drone operations around Parliament are strictly forbidden by law legter.hu, due to security concerns. Even with a general permit, you would need an additional specific authorization to operate in this area – and those are rarely granted except for state purposes. (The government district restricted zone requires at least 21 days advance application to get a separate clearance, on top of the standard permit legter.hu.) In short, do not plan to fly anywhere near Parliament, Buda Castle, or other key government sites – it’s off-limits. Additionally, national monuments and UNESCO World Heritage sites are protected: flying over them is prohibited without permission legter.hu. Budapest is full of historic monuments (the Castle Hill, Heroes’ Square, etc.), so assume these areas are no-go unless explicitly allowed.

Parks and Public Spaces: There isn’t a specific national ban on parks, but because almost all parks in Budapest are within the “populated area,” the same permit rule applies. For example, you cannot just take off in City Park or Margaret Island with your drone casually – that’s inside the city and needs a permit. Also, gatherings of people trigger safety rules: the EU Open category forbids flight over “assemblies of people.” So if a public space has an event or crowd, you must not fly over it drone-laws.com drone-laws.com. Some municipalities may have local ordinances against taking off or landing in certain public parks for privacy/safety – it’s wise to check local rules or signage.

Nature Reserves: Outside Budapest, be mindful of Hungary’s many national parks and protected nature areas. Special environmental protection airspace can be established where drones might disturb wildlife. The rules mention “environmentally restricted airspace” permits, which require a staggering 100 days advance notice to get approval legter.hu. This implies that if you wanted to fly in a national park or other eco-sensitive area, you need separate permission from environmental authorities. For short visits, it’s best to avoid flying in national parks unless you have explicit permission.

Checking Airspace Maps: Because the patchwork of restrictions can be complex, Hungary provides a tool – the MyDroneSpace app (and web app) – which shows all drone geo-zones in effect legter.hu legter.hu. Drone pilots are required to use this app to plan and even report flights ceelegalmatters.com. The app will show no-fly zones, restricted areas, and other conditions on a map. If you’re a foreigner without a Hungarian mobile number, you can use the web version at mydronespace.hu legter.hu (you’ll need to create an account and possibly use an identity verification app as noted on the site legter.hu). Always check this map before you fly. Keep in mind, however, that MyDroneSpace might not flag the “populated area” versus “unpopulated” status – it focuses on airspace and permanent zones legter.hu. It is your responsibility to know if you’re within city limits (in Budapest, if you’re inside the urban area, it’s populated). If the app cannot connect or display current restrictions (e.g. no cell signal), you are not allowed to fly, because you might not have up-to-date info on temporary restrictions ceelegalmatters.com.

Penalties for Violating Drone Laws

Hungary has severe penalties for those who break drone regulations – they have intentionally made the sanction system strict to deter risky drone use ceelegalmatters.com. Here are the potential consequences if you ignore the rules:

• Hefty Fines: Authorities can impose an administrative aviation fine up to HUF 100 million (approximately €280,000) for drone law violations ceelegalmatters.com. Such a massive fine would likely apply to egregious cases (for instance, flying a large drone near an airport or in a heavily populated area without permission). More typical violations would incur smaller fines, but even those can be substantial. The fine amount depends on the severity and the hazard caused by your actions ceelegalmatters.com. For example, flying without registration/permit in a quiet area might result in a moderate fine, whereas endangering aircraft or crowds could trigger something much higher.
• Criminal Charges: Invasions of privacy via drone are taken very seriously. If you use a drone to capture images or audio of someone’s private home, property, or fenced area without consent, and you do this in violation of regulations, it is considered a misdemeanor crime in Hungary ceelegalmatters.com. It’s punishable by up to 60 days of confinement (jail) ceelegalmatters.com. If you repeatedly record people’s private premises and publish those recordings (e.g. on social media), it can be escalated to a criminal offense with up to 1 year imprisonment ceelegalmatters.com. This is essentially an enforcement of privacy rights – you must avoid filming individuals in places where they expect privacy. Always obtain permission if you were to film any private property from the air.
• Equipment Seizure and Other Penalties: While not explicitly stated in the sources, generally police or authorities can confiscate your drone if you violate rules. You may also be liable for any damages caused. If you flew without insurance and caused an accident, you’d be personally responsible for costs on top of legal penalties. Additionally, breaching airspace (especially near airports or restricted zones) could lead to investigations by national security services or military, which is not a situation any tourist wants to be in. In short, the consequences can be far worse than a vacation memory – so do not risk it.

Hungary has already demonstrated willingness to enforce these laws. Always fly responsibly, and if in doubt about a rule or zone, err on the side of caution – or don’t fly.

Hungary vs. EU: Key Differences in Drone Regulations

It’s useful to summarize how Hungary’s drone rules differ from the baseline EU regulations, especially if you’re coming from another EU country:

• Lower Registration Threshold: EU rules require operator registration for drones weighing ≥250 g or if equipped to capture personal data. Hungary’s threshold is effectively 120 g or any camera drone-laws.com – capturing far more drones. Even some nano-drones need registering in Hungary if they have a camera, whereas they might be exempt elsewhere in the EU.
• Mandatory Insurance: EU law leaves insurance requirements up to member states. Hungary explicitly makes liability insurance compulsory for all drones >250 g (and effectively for most above toy category) cms-lawnow.com. Many EU countries only recommend insurance; in Hungary it’s the law.
• No City Flights Without Permit: Under EU Open category, a sub-250 g drone (A1 category) can legally fly over people in theory, and many EU cities allow drones in public areas with some limits. Hungary overrides this by requiring a permit for any “inhabited area” flight ceelegalmatters.com. This is a significant restriction unique to Hungary; it means EU-wide rules like A1 (fly over people) and A2 (fly close to people) are subject to Hungary’s blanket urban ban unless you get the military’s clearance. So a foreign pilot who is used to flying a DJI Mini 3 in downtown Paris under EU rules cannot do the same in Budapest without months of paperwork.
• Strict No-Fly Zones for Government and Monuments: While all countries have some sensitive location restrictions, Hungary explicitly codifies Parliament and “national monuments” as no-drone areas legter.hu. Other EU countries might manage this via general privacy laws or temporary security orders; Hungary lists them outright. It reflects a higher level of concern for security and heritage site overflights.
• Enforcement and Penalties: Hungary’s maximum fines (up to €280k) and potential jail for privacy breaches are on the tougher end in Europe ceelegalmatters.com ceelegalmatters.com. The requirement to use a national drone app (MyDroneSpace) is also somewhat unique (though some countries have similar systems). Essentially, Hungary has taken a more controlled and punitive approach compared to many EU peers.

Despite these differences, if you comply with Hungary’s rules, you are by extension complying with EU rules. Always make sure to carry your documentation (registration proof, pilot certificate, permit, ID, insurance) when flying in Hungary.

Summary of Key Requirements and Penalties

To wrap up, here is a quick-reference summary of the most important drone regulations in Budapest/Hungary and the consequences of violations:

Practical Guidance for Drone Pilots in Budapest

For Hobbyists: If you’re a tourist or local just wanting some cool shots, consider exploring non-urban areas of Hungary to fly, where it’s easier to stay legal. Hungary has beautiful countryside, and flying there (away from people and airports) only requires you to follow the standard EU drone rules – no special permit needed legter.hu. Still, you must be registered and insured even to fly at Lake Balaton or rural hills. If your heart is set on filming Budapest landmarks, be aware of the paperwork and time involved. It might be easier to enjoy those sights from the ground or use footage from licensed operators. Do not attempt a quick drone flight on the banks of the Danube or near Parliament on a whim – the risk is too high.

For Professionals: Plan meticulously. Ensure you have an EU Remote Pilot Certificate (A1/A3, and A2 if needed), your company/operator is registered, and insurance is in place. Start the permit application process months before your project – coordinate with local partners if possible. It’s wise to contact the Hungarian aviation authority or drone consultants (like legter.hu) for any clarifications. When on site, stick strictly to your approved flight plan. Have someone with you as an observer and point-of-contact for authorities. Always use the drone app during flight and keep phone lines open. Essentially, demonstrate the highest level of compliance – this will also earn trust if you need to apply for future permits.

Contacting Authorities: If in doubt, you can reach out to the Hungarian drone regulators: the General Directorate for Air Transport (within the Ministry of Construction and Transport) can be emailed at legter@legter.hu (they often handle general inquiries) uavcoach.com. The Military Aviation Authority (for airspace permits) can be contacted via the form or email (previously rpas@nfm.gov.hu) uavcoach.com. HungaroControl’s MyDroneSpace website legter.hu has more information and contacts regarding airspace use. It’s better to ask questions and be sure, than to violate a rule.

In summary, flying a drone in Budapest is possible only with careful preparation and adherence to the law. Hungary’s drone regulations in 2025 are comprehensive and strictly enforced. By following the guidelines above – registering, getting insured, obtaining necessary permits, respecting no-fly zones, and practicing safe flying – you can enjoy your drone and capture great footage without legal trouble. Always stay updated on any new rules, and when in Budapest’s skies, fly with caution and respect. Happy (and responsible) flying! earthofdrones.com uavcoach.com