Registering as a UAS operator
Last update
European rules apply to the operation of drones (also known as 'Unmanned Aerial Vehicles' - UAVs, or 'Unmanned Aircraft Systems' - UASs).
These rules provide for the following 3 categories, depending on the level of operational risk:
- 'OPEN', when the risk is low;
- 'SPECIFIC', when the risk is medium;
- 'CERTIFIED', when the risk is very high.
Any natural or legal person who wishes to operate UASs in the 'OPEN' or 'SPECIFIC' categories must register as an operator with the Directorate of Civil Aviation (Direction de l’aviation civile – DAC).
This procedure:
- covers the registration of the operator only (i.e. not the UAS); and
- does not constitute an operational authorisation.
Who is concerned
Who can register?
Persons eligible to register as a UAS operator fall into 4 categories:
- natural persons:
- residing in Luxembourg; and
- aged 16 or over;
- natural persons:
- residing in Luxembourg; and
- aged at least 14 or 15. In this case the registration procedure must be completed by the operator's parent or guardian, whether or not they reside in Luxembourg;
- legal persons whose main place of business is in Luxembourg;
- national administration bodies: applications must be submitted using the hard-copy form only.
Natural or legal persons residing in a third country (outside the EASA Member States) can also obtain information on how to register as a UAS operator by emailing a request to the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DAC) at uas@av.etat.lu.
A UAS operator cannot be registered in 2 different EASA Member States at the same time.
Which UASs are concerned?
Natural and legal persons must register on MyGuichet.lu if they wish to operate:
- a UAS weighing 250 g or more;
- a UAS:
- weighing less than 250 g, if
- it has a camera or other sensors.
Registration is not required for the operation of a UAS weighing less than 250 g if the UAS is classed as a toy.
Prerequisites
Natural persons must register themselves, and must possess a means of authenticating their identity on MyGuichet.lu – namely, a LuxTrust product or an electronic identity card (eID) or an eIDAS-compliant identification device. The registration system does not allow third-party registration.
Legal persons must be registered by a legal representative who possesses a means of authenticating their identity on MyGuichet.lu.
Costs
Fees due
A EUR 10 fee is charged for registrations or renewals.
The procedure for rectifications or permanent deregistration is free.
Payment
Payment can be made:
- online through MyGuichet.lu; or
- by bank transfer or direct deposit.
How to proceed
Filing an application
If the applicant is either a natural or legal person, the application can be filed with the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DAC):
- using the MyGuichet.lu online assistant (see 'Online services and forms'); or
- using a hard-copy form, if the applicant does not have access to MyGuichet.lu. The completed form can be sent to the DAC:
- by post; or
- by email to uas@av.etat.lu.
If the applicant is an administrative body, the application must be signed by the head of that administrative body, or by their delegated representative.
After entering some basic information in the MyGuichet.lu system, the applicant must select one of several application types:
- new UAS operator: should only be used if:
- the operator does not already have an operator number; or
- the number has been permanently deregistered;
- rectification: to update the operator's contact details, e.g. their address, telephone number, email address or insurance policy number;
- renewal:
- to renew the registration number's valid-until date. Extension applications should be filed annually;
- the certificate may be renewed within 90 days of the expiry date without affecting its anniversary date.
Example: certificates that expire on 4 March 2026 may be renewed from 4 December 2025. The new certificate that is issued will then be valid until 4 March 2027. Please note that applications submitted before this 90-day window will be automatically rejected.
- permanent deregistration: if the operator wishes to stop operating UASs permanently. The registration number will never be available for use again and will be permanently blocked.
A civil liability insurance policy number is required to complete all applications.
Application processing time
A response will be provided under the 'My messages' tab in your MyGuichet.lu eSpace within 3 hours of the procedure's submission.
The processing time for hard-copy applications is 15 working days.
The UAS operator registration certificate shows an operator registration number.
It also shows an identification string, which must be entered in the appropriate field in the UAS system, if that system supports remote identification. This information is used to identify the operator.
Validity
The registration certificate is valid for one year. As such, the procedure must be repeated each year for the registration number to remain valid.
Obligations
The operator must visibly display the UAS operator number (without the secret 3-letter code) on each UAS that they operate. The number may be printed or handwritten.
Online services and forms
Who to contact
Directorate of Civil Aviation (DAC)
- Address:
-
4, rue Lou Hemmer
L-1748
Senningerberg
Luxembourg
B.P. 283, L-2012 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 74 900
- Email address:
- civilair@av.etat.lu
- Website:
- https://dac.gouvernement.lu/en.html
Closed ⋅ Opens at 8.30
- Friday:
- 8.30 to 12.00 , 13.00 to 17.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.30 to 12.00 , 13.00 to 17.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.30 to 12.00 , 13.00 to 17.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.30 to 12.00 , 13.00 to 17.00
- Thursday:
- 8.30 to 12.00 , 13.00 to 17.00
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
Legal references
on the rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft (Text with EEA relevance.)
