EU class marks run from C0 to C4 and map to weight bands: C0 under 250 g, C1 under 900 g, C2 under 4 kg, and C3 and C4 under 25 kg. Operator registration is required for C1 to C4 drones, and for privately built or pre-2024 drones from 250 g up to 25 kg. C0 drones generally do not.
Weight bands
| Class mark | Weight, per EASA |
|---|---|
| C0 | Under 250 g |
| C1 | Under 900 g |
| C2 | Under 4 kg |
| C3 and C4 | Under 25 kg |
Open category operations use a drone with a C0 to C4 class identification label. The two other permitted cases are a privately built drone for your own use, and a drone placed on the market before 31 December 2023 without a label.
What a labelled drone should show
According to EASA, a labelled drone should show its class mark on the body and come with an EU Declaration of Conformity. When you buy a drone, check both the label and the document. A class mark that is missing from the airframe is a reason to ask the seller questions.
Who registers as an operator
EASA's page states that operator registration is required for:
- C1 to C4 drones.
- Privately built drones, and drones from before 2024, from 250 g up to 25 kg.
It is not required for C0 drones, or for pre-2024 drones under 250 g, unless the drone has a camera or sensor and is not a toy.
That last clause catches many hobby pilots. A small camera drone under 250 g can still need registration, while a toy without a sensor does not. When in doubt, read the exception as narrow and register.
Registration versus class mark
Do not mix the two ideas up. The class mark is a property of the drone, set by the manufacturer. Operator registration is a property of the person or organization flying it. A fleet can have drones of mixed class marks under one operator registration.
Keeping the fleet in order
A simple inventory record per drone helps with both:
- Class mark and weight.
- Whether it was placed on the market before 31 December 2023.
- Whether it carries a camera or sensor.
- The operator registration that covers it.
- Where the Declaration of Conformity is stored.
Store the documents with the same care as software licenses. If a regulator or a client asks, you should be able to produce them quickly.
Where to check next
The EASA page describes the EU level framework. Registration itself runs through national authorities, and the page text I fetched does not describe those processes. Confirm with the authority in the country where you will fly.
Quick check
Does a 240 g camera drone need operator registration?
It can. A pre-2024 drone under 250 g is exempt unless it has a camera or sensor and is not a toy. A C0 labelled drone is generally exempt under EASA's wording, so check which case applies.
Can a home built drone fly in the open category?
EASA lists a privately built drone for your own use as one allowed option, and operator registration applies from 250 g up to 25 kg.
Sources
- EASA, Open category: low risk civil drones: class marks, weights, registration.
Last reviewed: 19 October 2026.
