Drone Registration Romania 2026: COMPLETE Step-by-Step AACR (CAA) Guide + UAS Code

Introduction — Why drone registration Romania matters in 2026

Drone registration Romania is not optional for most pilots flying a DJI Mini, Mavic, Air or Avata. Since 1 January 2024, Romania fully applies EASA regulations, and the Romanian Civil Aeronautical Authority (AACR) manages UAS operator registration through caa.ro.

In 2026, Romania has an estimated 120,000+ recreational drone operators, and checks in tourist areas, the coast, Bucharest and mountains are increasingly common. Flying without a valid UAS operator code risks fines from 1,000 to 10,000 RON, equipment confiscation and inability to use the drone commercially.

Good news: registration is 100% online, takes about 10–15 minutes, and requires no lawyer, intermediary or repair shop. This guide walks you through everything — from "I bought a drone" to "I have my ROM- sticker and fly legally".

Who must register? (clear Yes/No table)

The #1 confusion: "My drone is small — do I register?" It depends on takeoff weight and camera presence:

What is actually registered? UAS operator vs drone

Not a car-style license plate

In the European system, drone registration Romania means registering YOU as a UAS operator. You receive a unique ROM-XXXXXX code identifying you as the responsible pilot.

The code is affixed to each drone you operate. The drone itself does not get a separate registration number — it is linked to the operator through your AACR account declaration.

The ROM- code is not decoration — authorities can request it during checks. Without it, the flight is unauthorized.

STEP-BY-STEP guide — Drone registration Romania 2026

10 steps on the official AACR platform

Follow these steps in order on accounts.caa.ro and caa.ro:

STEP-BY-STEP guide — Drone registration Romania 2026

Steps 1–2: Platform access + new account

Step 1: Open the official Drone/UAS section on caa.ro.

Step 2: Access accounts.caa.ro and create a new account. Confirm your email.

STEP-BY-STEP guide — Drone registration Romania 2026

Steps 3–5: Operator data + drone declaration

Step 3: Fill the form with ID data — name, national ID number, address, phone.

Step 4: Declare drones: manufacturer (DJI), model, weight, C class, serial if required.

Step 5: Accept responsibility declarations.

STEP-BY-STEP guide — Drone registration Romania 2026

Steps 6–8: Payment, UAS code, sticker

Step 6: Pay the UAS operator registration fee online (~20 EUR/year).

Step 7: Receive your ROM-XXXXXX code in your AACR account and email.

Step 8: Print on a weather-resistant sticker and affix visibly on the drone body.

Current costs + UAS operator code validity

After you receive the UAS code

• ✓Visible sticker — operator code on fuselage, readable at 1 metre
• ✓Remote ID active — mandatory for C1, C2, C3 class drones
• ✓Liability insurance — mandatory for commercial operations
• ✓Firmware updates — DJI releases geofencing and Remote ID patches

Registration + A1/A3/A2 pilot licence — together

Many pilots confuse operator registration with pilot certification. Both are done on the same AACR platform but serve different purposes.

Recommended order: (1) operator registration → (2) A1/A3 online training → (3) A1/A3 exam → (4) evaluate A2 if you fly Air 3 / Mavic.

Common mistakes

1. "Under 250 g doesn't need registration" — False if it has a camera.
2. Code hidden inside the shell — Must be visible EXTERNALLY.
3. Wrong form data — Incorrect ID number can cause rejection.
4. Not renewing after 12 months — Code expires; flying with expired code = fine.

Conclusion — Fly legally from day one

Drone registration Romania 2026 is straightforward on the official path: caa.ro for information, accounts.caa.ro for account, payment and ROM-XXXXXX code. In 10–15 minutes you are a legal UAS operator.