Flying a Drone in Ljubljana: 10 Surprising Laws and Rules You Must Know in 2025

• EU-Wide Rules Apply: Slovenia follows European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) drone regulations, meaning no distinction between recreational and commercial flyers – all must follow the same category-based rules ^[1].
• Registration & Licensing: All drone operators must register with the Civil Aviation Agency (CAA) if their drone weighs ≥250 g or has a camera ^[2]. Pilots flying such drones must complete online training and pass an exam (EU “open” category A1/A3 certificate) ^{[3] [4]}. The minimum pilot age is 16 years ^[5].
• Altitude & VLOS Limit: Drones in Slovenia may fly up to 120 m (400 ft) above ground in open category operations ^[6]. You must keep the drone within visual line of sight (VLOS) at all times (or use an observer) ^[7]. Night flying is generally prohibited for hobbyists – operations are daytime-only unless specially authorized ^[8].
• No-Fly Zones in Ljubljana:Populated areas (cities, towns, roads with traffic, etc.) are essentially no-fly zones for drones under the open category ^[9]. Flying over Ljubljana’s urban areas or crowds without permission is banned to protect public safety and privacy. Major landmarks and national parks (e.g. Triglav National Park) also prohibit drones without special permits ^[10].
• Exceptions for Light Drones: Small drones under 1.2 kg can operate in populated areas only under strict conditions: stay below 50 m altitude, only fly in daylight, obtain prior permission from the property owner below, and email a flight notification to the CAA at least 12 hours before the flight ^[11]. All other drones must stick to unpopulated areas unless you have specific authorization.
• Keep Safe Distances: It is illegal to fly near airports or airfields without approval. Slovenian rules require staying well clear of airports – at least 1.5 km away from any airport as a general rule ^[12], and up to ~8 km for major airports/controlled airspace for safety ^[13]. Always consult official airspace maps for restricted zones. An interactive map of no-fly zones (including airspace around Ljubljana’s airports and heliports) is provided by the CAA ^[14].
• Distance From People: You must not fly over uninvolved people. In the standard Open Category operations, maintain safe horizontal distances – for example, drones in subcategory A2 (close to people) must keep at least 30 m distance from bystanders (which can be reduced to 5 m if a low-speed mode is enabled) ^[15]. Heavier drones or those without EU class marking fall under subcategory A3 (“far from people”) and must stay 150 m away from residential, commercial, or recreational areas ^[16].
• Privacy and Data Protection:Privacy laws (EU GDPR and Slovenia’s Personal Data Protection Act ZVOP-2) apply to drone use. Any drone with a camera is considered capable of collecting personal data – hence the mandatory registration ^[17]. Operators must respect individuals’ privacy ^[18]: avoid recording people without consent or flying over private property without permission. Unauthorized filming that invades someone’s privacy could lead to legal consequences. (Notably, one national rule requires obtaining the property owner’s approval before flying over private premises in populated areas ^[19].)
• Enforcement and Penalties: Drone laws are actively enforced by Slovenia’s CAA and police. Expect steep fines for violations – on the order of a few hundred up to a few thousand euros for individuals ^[20] (and higher for companies). Flying unregistered, venturing into no-fly zones, or endangering people can result in multiple offenses and compounded fines ^[21]. In serious cases (e.g. risking aircraft safety or causing injury), authorities may confiscate your drone and impose very heavy penalties. Always carry proof of your registration and competency certificate when flying, as you may be asked to produce them.
• Recent Updates (2024–2025): New EU-wide requirements took effect recently. As of January 2024, drones operating in the “specific” category or any drone with an official class mark in the open category must broadcast Remote ID (an electronic identification signal) ^[22]. Also, the transitional period for “legacy” drones has ended – drones without class identification labels (typically those bought before 2024) face tighter limits. In practice, any older drone >250 g now can only be flown in the A3 subcategory (far from people) in Slovenia, abiding by the 120 m/150 m distance rules ^[23]. Keep an eye on CAA notices for any further legislative changes, as drone regulations continue to evolve.

Overview: EU Drone Rules in Slovenia

Slovenia is part of the EU single aviation market, so it adheres to the EASA drone regulation framework that took effect on December 31, 2020 ^[24]. This framework classifies all drone operations into three categories based on risk:

• Open Category – low-risk flights (most hobby flights and simple commercial uses fall here). It has three subcategories (A1, A2, A3) with restrictions mainly based on the drone’s weight, capabilities, and proximity to people. Most casual drone flights in Ljubljana will be in the Open category.
• Specific Category – higher-risk operations that don’t meet Open rules (e.g. flying heavier drones in urban areas, beyond visual line of sight, or other advanced operations). These require an authorization from the CAA, with a safety risk assessment for the operation.
• Certified Category – complex, high-risk uses (like drone deliveries or passenger drones), regulated similarly to manned aviation (rare for standard users).

Crucially, Slovenia makes no legal distinction between recreational and commercial drone use under this EASA system ^[25]. If you’re flying for fun or for business, the same rules apply according to the operation’s category and risk level. In other words, commercial drone operations are allowed in Slovenia so long as you comply with the EASA categories and any additional national rules. (This marks a change from the pre-2021 era when Slovenia did not permit commercial drone flights without special permission ^[26].) For most users, as long as you operate within Open category limits (explained below), no separate “business” license is required beyond the standard pilot competency certificates.

However, if a commercial project cannot be done safely within the Open category constraints – for example, filming a crowded event in downtown Ljubljana, or conducting an aerial survey over the city beyond visual line of sight – then the operation would need to fall under the Specific category. That means applying to the CAA for an operational authorization or obtaining a certified drone operator license (LUC) as appropriate. In summary, light recreational flying and low-risk commercial tasks are treated the same under the law, but more ambitious drone operations will trigger additional requirements.

Registration and Licensing Requirements

Drone Operator Registration: Slovenia mandates that virtually all drone operators register themselves before flying. This is an EU-wide rule under Regulation (EU) 2019/947, and the registration is done with the CAA (or the aviation authority of your home EU country) ^{[27] [28]}. You only need to register once in one EU country – your UAS operator registration is recognized across all EU member states. (If you already have an EU registration from another country, you should not register again in Slovenia; your existing eID number is valid here ^[29].) In Slovenia, an operator registration is valid for one year and must be renewed annually to stay active ^[30].

You must register as an operator if your drone weighs 250 g or more, or if it’s equipped with a camera or other sensor capable of collecting personal data ^[31]. Even sub-250g camera drones (like the DJI Mini series) require registration because of their cameras ^[32]. The only exceptions are drones under 250 g that have no camera and are considered toys (marketed for under-14-year-olds) – those are exempt from both registration and pilot licensing ^[33]. The CAA’s online portal (UAS Register) is used for registration and issues you a unique registration ID number (e-ID). This ID must be affixed visibly to your drone and also uploaded into the drone’s firmware (for models that support electronic Remote ID broadcasting) ^[34]. Foreign visitors flying in Slovenia can use their home country’s registration ID, or if they have none (coming from outside the EU), must register in the first EU country they operate (which could be Slovenia) ^[35].

Remote Pilot Licensing: In addition to operator registration, drone pilots need to obtain the proper competency certificate for the category of operations they will conduct. For hobbyists and basic commercial uses in the Open category, this means passing the EU A1/A3 remote pilot exam. Slovenia offers an online training course and a theory exam (available via the CAA’s website) to fulfill this requirement ^[36]. Anyone flying drones 250 g or heavier (or any drone requiring registration) must complete this training and exam to legally fly in the Open category ^[37]. After passing, you receive a “Proof of Completion of Online Training” which is the A1/A3 certificate. This certificate is valid EU-wide. The minimum age for remote pilots in Slovenia is 16 years (common across EASA) ^[38]. Pilots younger than 16 may only fly under direct supervision of an adult who holds the competency, or operate a very light toy drone.

If you want to operate in subcategory A2 (to fly a bit closer to people with drones up to 2 kg), you’ll need to go a step further and obtain the A2 Certificate of Competency. This involves an additional theory exam (in-person or monitored) covering more advanced topics ^[39], and a self-practical training declaration. Only with an A2 certificate can you fly heavier drones in inhabited areas with reduced distances (we discuss those limits below). For any operations in the Specific category, you would need to apply for CAA authorization and possibly hold other certifications or proof of competence as required by the authorization process.

Marking and Insurance: Every registered operator’s drones must display the registration number (e.g., on a sticker or engraved plate) clearly on the aircraft ^[40]. Slovenia does not currently require drone liability insurance for most hobby or commercial flights (insurance is only mandatory by law for drones weighing 20 kg or more in Slovenia) ^[41]. Nonetheless, carrying insurance is highly recommended for any commercial operations or high-risk flights. Many European drone pilots opt for liability insurance even when not obligatory, to cover damages or injuries in case of an accident.

No-Fly Zones and Airspace Restrictions (Ljubljana and Beyond)

Slovenia has implemented a number of geographical zones where drone flights are restricted or banned, in line with EASA rules that allow national authorities to define such zones for safety, security, privacy, or environmental reasons ^[42]. Before flying in Ljubljana or anywhere in the country, it’s vital to consult the official UAS Geographical Zones map provided by the CAA ^[43]. This online map (ArcGIS) shows all restricted areas, no-fly zones, and special conditions across Slovenia.

Key no-fly zone rules to be aware of:

• Urban and Populated Areas: By default, operations in the Open category are prohibited over “built-up” areas – essentially anywhere with buildings, infrastructure, or gatherings of people ^[44]. This means you cannot fly freely over Ljubljana’s city streets, neighborhoods, or any populated area under standard rules. Roads, highways, residential areas, and city parks with people are all off-limits for drone flights unless you meet a strict exemption (described below) or have a specific-category permit. The intent is to protect public safety and privacy in populated zones. In practical terms, flying a drone over downtown Ljubljana without special permission is illegal. Always plan to fly in unpopulated zones or designated model airfields unless you have explicit clearance.
• Airports and Aerodromes: You must avoid flying near airports, airfields, and helipads. Slovenian regulations specify a minimum distance of 1.5 km from any airport’s perimeter for drone operations ^[45]. For major airports with controlled airspace (like Ljubljana’s international airport at Brnik), the restricted radius may extend much further – some guidance suggests staying at least 8 km away from large airports or heliports to remain clear of approach corridors ^[46]. Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJLJ) has a control zone that covers a wide area; drone flights anywhere near its flight paths are strictly forbidden without explicit ATC/Civil Aviation permission. Smaller airfields or heliports around the city (e.g., Ljubljana Hospital heliport) will also have no-fly buffers (often a few kilometers). The Slovenia Control agency indicates a 2.6 km no-fly radius around small uncontrolled airstrips ^[47]. Always check the geo-zone map for the exact restricted radius around each airfield you might be near.
• Protected Natural Areas: Drone flights are often banned or restricted in national parks, nature reserves, and sensitive environmental sites. For example, Triglav National Park – a popular alpine area in Slovenia – does not allow recreational drones at all without a special permit, due to wildlife and visitor disturbance concerns ^[48]. If you plan to fly in any national park or protected landscape, assume it’s a no-fly zone unless you have written permission from the managing authority.
• Critical Infrastructure and Special Sites: By law, authorities can designate specific sites as no-fly zones for security – such as government buildings, military areas, power plants, prisons, etc. While Slovenia hasn’t publicly listed many such sites, pilots should be cautious. Do not fly near military installations or sensitive government facilities in and around Ljubljana. Bridges, railways, and busy highways are also effectively treated as no-fly areas under the “no flight over people/infrastructure” rule. As one local expert summed up: in Slovenia “you can’t fly near roads, houses and bridges” without special authorization ^[49].

Exceptions for Flying in Ljubljana’s Populated Areas: Understanding that completely grounding drones in cities would be very restrictive, Slovenia has carved out a narrow exemption for small drones under certain conditions. You may fly in a populated or built-up area only if all the following are true ^[50]:

1. Drone weight ≤ 1.2 kg: The unmanned aircraft must have a maximum takeoff mass not exceeding 1200 grams. This generally includes models like DJI Mini, Air, or similar – but excludes heavier prosumer drones.
2. Altitude ≤ 50 m: You must keep the drone very low – no higher than 50 meters (164 ft) above ground level during the entire flight.
3. Daylight only: The operation must take place in daytime (after official sunrise and before sunset – no night or low-light flights).
4. Property Owner Consent: You have obtained permission from the owner (or lawful occupier) of the property over which you’ll fly. Essentially, you can’t fly over someone’s home or land without asking them first. This condition helps address privacy and nuisance concerns.
5. Flight Announcement: You must submit a pre-flight notification to the CAA. The CAA provides an “Announcement of UAS flight” form/email; as per their guidelines, you should email details of your planned flight at least 12 hours in advance to uav@caa.si ^{[51] [52]}.

All five conditions must be met to legally fly in a populated area under the Open category. Even with these conditions satisfied, remember that you still cannot fly over gatherings of people (no hovering over crowds or busy streets) and you must follow all other standard rules. This exemption is basically intended for limited operations like inspecting your own roof, or filming over a friend’s property with permission – it is not a free pass to do cityscape flights over downtown Ljubljana. The CAA’s geo-zone map even highlights built-up areas (“BUILT” layer) to remind pilots that these zones are generally off-limits except under the above constraints ^[53].

Finally, note that if you need to fly in an urban area outside the scope of the above exception (e.g., a professional drone shoot in Ljubljana city center that can’t meet those weight/height limits), you would have to pursue a Specific category operation. This entails submitting a risk assessment or using a predefined risk scenario (if available) and getting explicit authorization from the CAA for that flight.

Altitude Limits and Visual Line-of-Sight Requirements

Maximum Altitude: Slovenia abides by the EU-wide altitude limit of 120 meters (approximately 400 feet) above ground level for drone flights in the Open category ^[54]. This is the highest you can fly without special permission. The only exception is if you are flying near a tall structure (like a radio tower) and have the building owner’s permission – in that case, EASA rules allow you to go 15m above the structure’s height, but this is a niche scenario. Generally, keep your drone below 120m at all times. The older Slovenian national limit was 150m for recreational drones ^[55], but the EU rule of 120m now takes precedence in standard cases. (If you were flying under one of the model aircraft clubs or had a specific arrangement, different altitudes could apply, but those are exceptions.) Tip: Be aware that local geo zones might impose lower altitude caps in certain areas; always check if the area you’re in has a special lower limit.

Visual Line of Sight (VLOS): You must maintain unassisted visual contact with your drone during the entire flight ^[56]. This means the remote pilot (or an accompanying UA observer in communication with the pilot) should always be able to see the drone with their own eyes, sufficiently to control its trajectory. You cannot rely purely on the camera feed (FPV) to satisfy this requirement. If you choose to fly with FPV goggles, you must have a second person next to you acting as a spotter to keep eyes on the drone and the surrounding airspace ^[57]. The VLOS rule effectively limits how far you can fly the drone – practical VLOS distance for a small drone might be a few hundred meters out, depending on lighting and the size of the drone. (The old Slovenian guideline was a horizontal range of 500m max ^[58], but under EASA it’s whatever distance you can still see the drone clearly, which often will be in that ballpark.) Losing sight of your drone is a violation, as it risks collision with other aircraft or loss of control. So, no flying behind buildings, beyond a line of trees, or into clouds/fog. Also, always yield to manned aircraft – if a helicopter or plane approaches, you must quickly descend or land your drone.

Other Operational Limits: In addition to altitude and VLOS, keep these in mind:

• No Flying Over People: As noted, even in VLOS you cannot fly directly over uninvolved people. This is explicit in the Open category rules – avoid overflight of anyone not participating in the operation. The only tolerance is for drones in the A1 subcategory (below 250g) which may fly over people incidentally (not deliberately), but never over assemblies of people. Drones heavier than 250g must maintain set distances from bystanders (e.g., A2 drones ≈ 30m distance) ^[59].
• Horizontal Distances in A3: If you are operating under subcategory A3 (typically larger drones or legacy drones without class markings), you are required to fly in an area “far from people.” Practically, this means at least 150 m away from any residential, commercial, industrial or recreational area ^[60]. In other words, an A3 operation should be in open countryside or an officially approved model flying field – not in a town or near a crowd. This 150m rule is an important planning factor for flights in outskirts of Ljubljana or villages.
• One Drone per Pilot: You can only fly one drone at a time per remote pilot. And you shouldn’t hand off controls mid-flight to another pilot without proper procedures.
• Dropping/Carrying Items: It’s forbidden to drop objects from a drone or carry dangerous materials. Don’t try to transport payloads unless you have specific permission and it’s within category limits.
• Weather and Daylight: You must only fly in safe weather conditions – avoid rain, high winds, and fog (which also violate VLOS). Night flying is generally not allowed in the Open category in Slovenia unless you have proper lighting and specific clearance. The standard national rule is drones “may only be flown during the day” ^[61]. (EASA does permit night operations in Open category if the drone has lights and the pilot is qualified, but Slovenia’s CAA may require additional authorization or have chosen to restrict it by default. Always check current CAA guidance if you intend to fly at night.)

By sticking to the altitude limit, keeping your drone in sight, and maintaining safe distances from people and property, you’ll satisfy the core of the flight rules and significantly reduce the risk of accidents or legal issues.

Privacy Considerations and Data Protection Laws

Privacy is a big concern in Slovenia’s drone policy – after all, camera drones can easily intrude on people’s private spaces. Both European and Slovenian laws protect individuals’ privacy from unwanted aerial filming or surveillance. As a drone pilot, you are responsible for handling any personal data (photos, videos, etc.) you collect in compliance with privacy regulations.

Under the EU’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), images or footage of identifiable people can be considered personal data. Slovenia’s own data protection law, the Personal Data Protection Act (ZVOP-2), reinforces these rules and came into force in 2023, replacing the older ZVOP-1. In practice, this means:

• You should avoid capturing people on video or photo without their consent if those people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. For example, filming strangers in their backyard or through windows is obviously a major violation. Even in public spaces, individuals have privacy rights regarding how their image is used.
• Don’t publish or share drone footage of individuals or private property without permission, unless they are incidental and unidentifiable. If you took aerial photos of Ljubljana’s skyline and happened to capture someone on a balcony, be mindful about sharing that publicly.
• The CAA explicitly ties privacy into drone operations: one reason Slovenia requires registration for any drone with a camera is to ensure accountability and awareness regarding data collection ^[62]. When registering, you acknowledge that you’ll follow privacy laws. Also, the special permission to fly over private property in populated areas requires consent from the property owner in advance ^[63], underscoring respect for privacy and property rights.
• If you misuse a drone to spy on someone or otherwise infringe privacy, the Information Commissioner’s office (Informacijski pooblaščenec) and law enforcement can get involved. Slovenia’s privacy watchdog has noted that drone regulations are evolving to address these issues, and they encourage anyone disturbed by intrusive drone use to report it.

As a rule of thumb: treat a drone camera like you would a handheld camera in terms of privacy. Overflying a fenced yard to record someone without permission is comparable to peeking over the fence with a camera – it can breach privacy. Always err on the side of caution and courtesy. If you’re flying recreationally, avoid pointing your camera at people who haven’t agreed to be filmed. For commercial work (real estate, tourism videos, etc.), ensure you have any needed location permits and that you don’t include people’s faces or private areas without consent.

Additionally, be aware of the GDPR “right to object” – if someone approaches you and asks you to stop filming them or delete footage of them, it’s wise to comply unless you have a pressing legal reason not to. While it mostly applies to commercial data controllers, it reflects the strong privacy culture in Europe.

In summary, fly responsibly and respect privacy: Slovenia explicitly asks drone pilots to “Respect the privacy of other people” during operations ^[64]. This is both a legal requirement and a matter of good etiquette to keep drone flying welcome in the community.

Penalties and Enforcement

Slovenia has strict penalties in place for those who violate drone regulations. Enforcement is carried out by the Civil Aviation Agency in coordination with local police authorities. If you break the rules – whether accidentally or willfully – you could face significant fines and other consequences.

Fines: Penalty fines can range widely depending on the severity of the offense:

• Minor infractions (e.g. forgetting to update your registration details or a small, technical violation) might result in smaller fines, roughly on the order of a few hundred euros.
• Serious breaches – like flying without any pilot competency certificate, flying an unregistered drone that should be registered, or breaching a no-fly zone – will incur larger fines. It’s reported that fines generally run from around €200 up to €2,000 for individuals in Slovenia ^[65]. Each violated rule could be a separate offense; for example, flying unregistered and over a crowd and at night could stack multiple fines together ^[66].
• Major violations that endanger safety (such as near-miss with an aircraft, or injuries caused by a drone) could escalate the penalties even further, potentially into tens of thousands of euros. While Slovenia’s specific upper limits haven’t been widely publicized, other EU countries (like Spain) have maximum fines exceeding €50,000 for egregious cases, and Slovenia likely has similar provisions for the worst cases.

Licenses and Confiscation: In addition to fines, authorities can suspend or revoke your permissions. The CAA can cancel your operator registration or remote pilot license if you are found to be non-compliant in a dangerous way. Police officers or aviation inspectors also have the power to confiscate your drone on the spot if you are caught in a serious violation (for instance, flying in a restricted area like an airport approach path). Your drone may be held as evidence in an administrative or criminal proceeding.

On-the-Spot Enforcement: If you’re flying in Slovenia, be prepared that police may approach you if someone reports a drone or if you’re spotted flying in a sensitive area. Always keep your registration proof (the e-ID number certificate) and personal ID with you. The police can ask for evidence that you’re a registered operator and a licensed pilot. They might also check if your drone’s ID is properly labeled on the device. Language may or may not be a barrier; many officers speak some English, but having your documentation in order will make the interaction smoother. In case of any incident (crash, injury, property damage), police will make a report and the CAA will follow up.

Legal Proceedings: Most drone violations are handled as administrative offenses (misdemeanors). You would typically get a fine notice rather than a criminal charge. However, if your drone activity causes serious harm or constitutes a major public danger, criminal charges could be considered under general laws (for example, negligence or endangerment).

Real-World Example: (Hypothetical) If someone flies a drone over Ljubljana’s castle during a festival, at night, without permission – and the drone malfunctions and falls into a crowd causing injury – that pilot would likely face multiple serious charges, potentially heavy fines in the tens of thousands of euros, and possibly criminal liability for negligence. While such extreme cases are rare, it illustrates why the regulations are strict. On the other hand, a tourist who inadvertently flew a 300g drone in a residential area and got caught might get a few hundred-euro fine and a stern warning.

The bottom line is Slovenian authorities mean business with drone rules. The CAA has noted that regulations are updated to keep pace with technology, and they do act against violators to set examples. To avoid any trouble, make sure you follow the rules covered in this guide – and when in doubt, ask the CAA for clarification before you fly. As long as you operate responsibly and within the law, you should have no issues enjoying aerial photography in Slovenia’s beautiful landscapes.

Recent and Upcoming Changes in Drone Legislation

Drone laws are continually evolving, and 2024 brought some notable updates that affect operations in 2025:

• EU Drone “Class” Labels & Transitional Period End: The EU drone regulation introduced hardware standards with different drone classes (C0 through C6). Drones manufactured from 2024 onward are supposed to have a class rating that dictates which subcategory (A1/A2/A3) they can operate in. Since January 1, 2024, the initial transition period has expired – meaning if your drone does not have a class identification label, it’s now treated as a “legacy” drone with more limitations. Concretely, any legacy drone heavier than 250g is restricted to subcategory A3 (far from people) regardless of your pilot qualifications ^[67]. For example, if you own a DJI Phantom or Mavic Pro from 2020 (no class mark), you can no longer fly it in a town at all, even if you have an A2 certificate – it must be in sparsely populated areas 150m away from people. Only drones under 250g without class (like DJI Mini) can still fly in A1 (over people) and those up to 25kg can fly in A3. New model drones coming on the market in 2025 may have class labels (C1, C2, etc.) which will allow more flexible operations under A1/A2 as per their classification. Pilots should be aware of their drone’s status (legacy vs classed) and follow the corresponding subcategory rules.
• Remote ID Requirement: As part of the EU-wide push for enhanced airspace safety, Remote Identification became mandatory in 2024 for many operations. All drones operating under the Specific category, as well as any drone with a class label in the Open category, must now have an active Remote ID broadcast during flight ^[68]. Remote ID is like an “electronic license plate” – your drone transmits its ID and flight details that authorities can receive. Most new drones with class C1–C3 will have this built-in. Older drones (without class markings) that are being used in Open category are not required to retrofit Remote ID as of 2025; however, if you voluntarily equip one, it’s beneficial. The main thing is to ensure any drone that does have a Remote ID capability is using it properly (up-to-date firmware, correct operator ID uploaded). This change is recent, so Slovenia’s CAA is likely ramping up enforcement on Remote ID compliance.
• Standard Scenarios (STS) and Predefined Risk Assessments: For advanced operations in the Specific category, EASA introduced some Standard Scenarios (STS) – predefined sets of conditions that if met, simplify the authorization process. Slovenia, like other EU states, recognizes these. For example, an STS allows certain BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) flights in rural areas with a heavy drone, if you follow the exact standards. If you’re a professional planning such operations, it’s worth checking EASA’s STS and the CAA’s adoption of them.
• Local Law Updates: Slovenia’s national drone regulation (the “Uredba o izvajanju… 2019/947”) is essentially the implementing act that gives local effect to the EU rules. It also empowers municipalities and agencies to establish geo-fenced no-fly zones for reasons like privacy or environmental protection ^[69]. We may see local authorities (e.g., the City of Ljubljana) issuing ordinances to ban or limit drones in certain areas under this provision. As of the latest info, no specific city-wide bans in Ljubljana have been published (the approach has been to use the broad “no flights over populated areas” rule). But pilots should stay alert for any new local restrictions – for instance, if a particular park or event in Ljubljana is declared a drone-free zone, that would typically be announced via NOTAM or the CAA’s website.
• Upcoming Changes: Looking ahead, EU drone regulations continue to be refined. One potential change is the development of the “U-space” concept – dedicated drone airspace zones with traffic management – but those are still in pilot phase in some countries and not yet affecting hobbyist flights broadly. Another is ongoing tweaks to the rules for model aircraft clubs and flying FPV drones (first-person-view racing) under supervised conditions, which EASA allows states to accommodate via special permissions. If you fly with a model club near Ljubljana, check if they have an authorization that gives any exemptions (some clubs get waivers for flying higher or in controlled airspace under certain conditions).

In summary, as of 2025 the drone laws in Slovenia are fully aligned with EU rules, with added strictness regarding urban flights. The recent introduction of Remote ID and the end of the transition for legacy drones are the biggest changes affecting everyday pilots. Always make sure you have the latest information – the CAA’s official website and EASA updates are the best resources. With proper preparation and respect for the rules, you can safely and legally enjoy flying your drone in Ljubljana and all around Slovenia, capturing its stunning scenery from above.

Sources:

• Civil Aviation Agency of Slovenia – Unmanned Aircraft (UAS) Regulations ^{[70] [71] [72] [73] [74]}
• Civil Aviation Agency of Slovenia – UAS Geographical Restrictions and Flight Permissions ^{[75] [76]}
• UAV Coach – Drone Laws in Slovenia (2023) ^{[77] [78]}
• Drone-Traveller – Drone Regulations in Slovenia (June 2023 update) ^{[79] [80]}
• Drone-Laws EU – Slovenia Drone Laws 2025 ^{[81] [82] [83]}
• Reddit (r/drones) – Anecdotal info from local pilots ^{[84] [85]} (for context on parks and urban restrictions)
• Information Commissioner of RS – Guidance on Drone Privacy (2021) ^[86] (describing legal basis for geo-zones and privacy protections)
• Comments from Slovenia drone community forums (experience-based insights on fines and enforcement) ^[87]

References

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