EASA's open category for low risk civil drones has three subcategories. A1 lets you fly over people but not over assemblies of people. A2 lets you fly close to people. A3 means flying far from people. In every listed configuration the drone must stay below 120 m above ground level.
The three subcategories
| Subcategory | Description on the EASA page | Drone class marks |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Fly over people but not over assemblies of people | C0 and C1, which can also fly in A3 |
| A2 | Fly close to people | C2 |
| A3 | Fly far from people | C3 and C4 |
Distances that apply
For A2 with a C2 drone, EASA lists no overflight of uninvolved people, a 30 m horizontal distance, or 5 m if the low speed function is activated.
For A3 with a C3 or C4 drone, there is no overflight of uninvolved people and a 150 m horizontal distance from uninvolved people and urban areas.
Notice how A1 is described in terms of overflight, while A2 and A3 are described in terms of distance. That difference matters when you plan a site. A garden with neighbors on both sides may rule out A3 but allow A1, if you hold the right class of drone.
The height rule
Every listed configuration requires staying below 120 m above ground level. Compare this to the 400 foot limit in the United States, which is about 122 m. The numbers are close but not identical, and the rules around them differ, so do not carry one set of numbers into the other region.
Choosing a subcategory
A short decision guide:
- Is your drone a C0 or C1? You may use A1 or A3.
- Is it a C2? You are in A2, with the close to people distances.
- Is it a C3 or C4? You are in A3, and you need open space.
- Is it older or privately built? Class marks may not apply, and the page lists separate conditions for drones placed on the market before 31 December 2023 and for privately built drones. Check the EASA page for the details.
What the page does not settle
The EASA page I read covers subcategories, weights, distances and registration. It does not, in the part I could read, say whether visual line of sight is part of the open category rules, and the end of the page was cut off in my fetch. Confirm line of sight and pilot competence requirements with your national aviation authority before flying.
National authorities apply the EU rules, and some details such as how to register differ by country. Treat this post as a map, and your authority's pages as the authority.
For fleet managers
Record the class mark of each drone in your asset inventory, along with the subcategory you intend to use. That one field makes planning faster and helps you spot a drone that is being used outside its category. If the class mark is stored in a spreadsheet, treat the spreadsheet as a controlled record with an owner.
Quick check
Does an A1 flight allow flying over a crowd?
No. EASA describes A1 as flying over people but not over assemblies of people.
What is the height limit in the open category?
Below 120 m above ground level in every configuration the EASA page lists.
Sources
- EASA, Open category: low risk civil drones: subcategories, class marks, distances, height limit.
Last reviewed: 19 October 2026.
