Drone video in Ireland: what you can legally film (2026 guide)

Drone filming is legal in Ireland if the flight follows the EU drone rules enforced by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). The operator must register with the IAA, the pilot needs the right training and commercial flights need insurance. The drone must stay in sight, below 120 metres, away from crowds and out of restricted zones unless permission is given.

This is a plain-English guide for businesses commissioning drone footage, based on the rules as they stand in October 2026. It's not legal advice. The rules and zones change, so the operator should check the IAA's drone pages before every flight.

Who regulates drones in Ireland?

The IAA regulates drones in Ireland under EU rules that apply in every EU country: Regulations (EU) 2019/947 and 2019/945, managed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Ireland adds its own national rules, including a map of geographical zones where drone flights are restricted or banned.

The EU rules sort flights into three categories by risk:

• Open: low-risk flights within fixed limits. No prior permission needed if every limit is met. Most simple commercial filming happens here.
• Specific: anything that goes beyond the Open limits, such as flying out of sight or closer to people. Needs an operational authorisation from the IAA, or a declaration under an EU standard scenario.
• Certified: the highest-risk operations, such as carrying people. Not relevant to filming.

Getting paid for the footage doesn't, on its own, move a flight out of the Open category. What decides the category is the drone, the pilot's training, the location and how close the flight comes to people.

Does a drone operator need to register in Ireland?

Yes, for any filming drone. The IAA says you must register as an operator if your drone weighs 250g or more, or if it has a camera (IAA operator registration). Registration is done online through the IAA's MySRS system and is valid for two years.

The operator (often the production company) registers, not each drone. The operator number has to be displayed on the drone and loaded into its direct remote ID, which broadcasts the drone's registration, position and height to anyone nearby with a suitable app (IAA remote ID).

What training does a commercial drone pilot need?

It depends on the drone and how close it will fly to people. In the Open category (EASA's summary):

• A1/A3 online training and test: completed through the IAA. Needed for most camera drones, including C1 drones under 900g.
• A2 certificate of competency: needed to fly a C2-class drone (under 4kg) closer to people. It adds practical self-training and a further theory exam.
• Specific category: pilots need the training set out in the operator's authorisation or the standard scenario.

When you hire an operator, ask to see their IAA operator registration, the pilot's certificate and their insurance.

What are the rules for flying in the Open category?

Every Open category flight must:

• Stay within the pilot's visual line of sight (an observer can help)
• Stay no higher than 120 metres above the ground
• Never fly over an assembly of people, such as a crowd at an event, a busy beach or a packed street
• Not carry dangerous goods or drop anything

On top of that, each subcategory sets how close the drone can come to "uninvolved people", meaning anyone who isn't part of the shoot:

Older drones bought before 1 January 2024 without a class label can still fly, but only in A1 if under 250g, or in A3 if under 25kg (EASA FAQ). In practice, that means an older, heavier drone can't be used close to people in a town.

When do you need IAA authorisation?

You need to move into the Specific category when a shot can't be done within the Open limits. Typical examples for filming are flying beyond visual line of sight, flying closer to uninvolved people than the subcategory allows, or flying a heavier drone in a built-up area.

The IAA explains that a Specific category operator either applies for an operational authorisation, backed by an operations manual and a risk assessment (a predefined risk assessment or a full SORA), or submits a declaration under an EU standard scenario if the operation fits one exactly (IAA operational authorisation). This takes time, so a shoot that needs it has to be planned well ahead.

Where can't you fly a drone in Ireland?

You can't fly in a restricted or prohibited geographical zone without meeting its conditions. The IAA publishes these zones on its UAS geographical zones map. They cover airports and their surroundings, some security-sensitive sites and other areas, and temporary restrictions are added for major events.

The IAA's advice is to check the published zones, temporary restricted areas and NOTAMs (notices to pilots) before every flight, and to remember that zones can overlap. Some zones allow flights only with prior permission from the zone's authority, such as the airport.

Other things to bear in mind:

• Land and property. Aviation rules apply everywhere, but they don't give you the right to take off from someone's land. Get permission from the landowner, venue or site manager.
• Local rules. Parks, beaches and heritage sites may have their own bye-laws or require a filming permit.
• Events. Flying over an event crowd is not allowed in the Open category. Shots of an audience usually need to be planned so the drone stays to the side, or moved into the Specific category.

Can you film with a drone in Dublin or other Irish cities?

Sometimes, but it takes more planning. Large parts of Dublin sit close to Dublin Airport and Casement Aerodrome, so the geographical zones map needs checking for the exact location. City streets are also full of uninvolved people, which rules out many shots with an A1 or A3 drone.

Urban drone shots usually need some combination of: a C2 drone and an A2-qualified pilot, a controlled take-off area, filming early in the morning when streets are quiet, permission from the zone authority, or a Specific category authorisation. Weather, reflective glass, tall buildings and radio interference all add to the risk. A site visit before the shoot is the best way to find out what's realistic.

Does a commercial drone need insurance?

Yes. The IAA says an operator is always required to have insurance for their drone unless it's flown for recreational purposes and weighs under 20kg (IAA drone FAQs). Commercial filming is not recreational, so the operator needs third-party liability cover. Ask to see the certificate before the shoot.

What about privacy and GDPR?

Drone footage that shows identifiable people is personal data, so GDPR applies. The Data Protection Commission has guidance on the use of drones, which notes that drones can easily capture passers-by. In practice:

• Have a lawful basis for filming and know who is responsible for the footage
• Tell people filming is taking place, for example with signs at a site or an event
• Frame shots to avoid capturing people who don't need to be in them
• Store footage securely and keep it only as long as needed

What is drone footage used for in business videos?

Drone shots are most useful when scale or place is part of the story. Common uses:

• Opening shots for corporate and brand films
• Hotels, venues, golf courses and visitor attractions
• Property, construction and infrastructure projects
• Event coverage (from a safe distance)

Used well, a few aerial shots set the scene. Overused, they look like stock footage. Most drone footage works best as part of a wider film rather than on its own.

How long does drone filming take?

The flying itself is usually short. A few planned shots can often be captured in a single session, but checks, setup and waiting for the right light or a gap in the wind take longer. Weather is the main risk in Ireland: strong wind and rain ground drones, so build some flexibility into the schedule or plan a backup day.

How much does drone filming cost?

Drone filming is usually priced as part of a wider corporate or brand film rather than on its own. What moves the cost is the planning and permissions needed (Open category or Specific, zone permissions), the location and travel, the number of shots, the time on site and the editing. As a guide, drone footage typically adds about €250 per shoot day (ex VAT) to a corporate or brand film, where the location suits it: outdoors, and somewhere it's legal to fly. A 2 to 3 minute film from one full shoot day is typically about €4,350 to €5,200 ex VAT before extras, and the corporate video cost guide has the full breakdown.

For an estimate for your project, try the instant quote calculator.

Checklist before a drone shoot

• Operator registered with the IAA, number shown on the drone and loaded into remote ID
• Pilot holds the right certificate for the drone and the shots planned
• Insurance certificate seen
• Location checked against the IAA geographical zones map, NOTAMs and temporary restrictions
• Zone permission or Specific category authorisation in place, if needed
• Landowner or venue permission agreed
• Plan for keeping clear of uninvolved people and crowds
• Privacy notices in place where people may be filmed
• Weather backup agreed

See our drone video production page for the kind of shots we film and what they cost. Drone footage is part of our corporate video production and brand film work. To talk through a shoot, book a free 30-minute call with us.