Remote pilot competency in Finland

What the rules say

Each line is resolved from published facts of Finland. "Not resolved" means the corpus does not answer it in a machine-checkable way — never that the law is silent.

• Competency requiredConditional
• Training requiredConditional
• Examination requiredConditional
• Proof of competency issuedConditional
• Operation-specific qualificationConditional
• Validity periodConditional
• Renewal or recurrent trainingConditional
• Minimum age16 yearsConditional
• Weight-based trigger0.25 kgConditional

What changes the answer

The published rules distinguish the a1, a2, a3, bvlos and open categories of operation.

The rules behind this answer

• Binding lawNational ruleOPS M1-32 · Article 5

  BVLOS approvals in Finland

  Where an operation does not meet the 'open' category requirements — as is the case for BVLOS — the UAS operator must obtain an operational authorisation from Traficom as the competent authority of the Member State of registration, and must perform a risk assessment and submit it with the application, including adequate mitigating measures.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Carrying Remote Pilot Competency Certificate

  Remote pilots must carry their certificate of remote pilot competency in either electronic or paper format at all times when flying.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule1563/2011 · 21 §

  Conditions for permitted aerial application of plant protection products

  In addition to what is provided in 20 § 2 momentti, aerial application of a plant protection product is subject to all of the following conditions: the effects on human health and the environment are smaller than with ground application; the plant protection product used is approved for aerial application; the person carrying out the aerial application holds a valid examination certificate referred to in 10 §; and the aerial application is carried out with equipment tested in accordance with 12 § 2 momentti.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Display of Operator Registration Number

  The operator registration number received during registration must be attached to the side of the drone being used.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Drone Operator Registration Fees

  Registration fees for drone operators in Finland are structured as 40€ for 1 year, 95€ for 3 years, or 125€ for 5 years.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational ruleOPS M1-32 · Article 8

  Finnish remote pilot registration and examinations

  Remote pilots operating UAS in the 'open' category must comply with the competency requirements set in Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) 2019/947.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Non-EU Citizen Registration via Finnish Authenticator

  Non-EU citizens can register as operators using the 'Finnish Authenticator' application for strong authentication, which can be requested starting January 8, 2026.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Online Theoretical Examination Fees and Waiver

  The online theoretical examination for A1 and A3 categories costs 35€, but private individuals can take it for free when registering online as an operator.

  Open the requirementOfficial source

Official sources

• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on the rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft — consolidated text — Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto)Open
• Traficom: Registration and theoretical examination (Open category) — Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto)Open
• Laki kasvinsuojeluaineista (1563/2011) — ajantasainen konsolidoitu teksti (Finlex, Akoma Ntoso) — Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto)Open

Other drone rules in Finland

• Do I need to register my drone in Finland?Registration in Finland is governed by a published mass threshold of 0.25 kg, alongside the further conditions cited below. Whether it applies to a given flight depends on those conditions, each cited to its rule.
• Do I need Remote ID in Finland?Remote identification in Finland is framed by a published mass threshold of 25 kg, together with the aircraft and operation conditions cited below. Whether a given flight must carry or broadcast an electronic identity depends on those conditions.
• What is the maximum drone altitude in Finland?Drone flights in Finland are held to a published general height limit of 120 m above_nearest_obstacle. The limit is not absolute: the published conditions that change it are cited below.
• Can I fly a drone near an airport in Finland?Drone flights near aerodromes in Finland are governed by airspace and aerodrome restrictions: whether permission is needed depends on the airspace, distance or aerodrome type published below.
• Can I fly a drone at night in Finland?No. A published rule in Finland prohibits night operations for the operations covered here.
• When does a drone operation need authorisation in Finland?Whether an operation in Finland needs prior authorisation depends on the operational category, risk class or location: the published triggers below decide it.
• Do I need drone insurance in Finland?Drone insurance in Finland is published with a minimum third-party cover of 0.75 million SDR. Whether cover is required for a given flight depends on the published conditions below.

All drone laws in Finland