Introduction: Payment Does Not Decide the Category
EU drone categories are based on operational risk, not whether a client pays for the flight. EASA describes the Open category as the main framework for both leisure activity and low-risk commercial work. A photographer, roof inspector or surveyor can operate in Open when every applicable condition is met; a recreational pilot may need the Specific category when the intended operation exceeds those limits.
A professional service therefore starts by defining the operation precisely: aircraft, people, location, height, visual line of sight, payload, airspace and contingency area. Business registration, insurance, privacy and client requirements sit alongside the aviation category rather than replacing it.
Define a Service You Can Deliver Compliantly
Aerial imagery, inspection, mapping, agriculture and construction monitoring create different operational and data risks. Avoid selling a broad promise such as “drone work anywhere”. Define the locations, deliverables, accuracy, weather limits, data handling and approvals included in the quote.
A professional estimate should separate creative or technical work from authority fees, site access, observers, risk assessment, travel and weather contingencies. State that a flight remains subject to safe conditions and required approvals.
Choose the Operational Category
Open category
Open-category work must remain within its full limits: an eligible aircraft under 25 kg, visual line of sight, no flight over assemblies of people, the applicable A1/A2/A3 conditions, normally no more than 120 metres from the closest point of the surface, no dangerous goods or dropping material, and compliance with geographical zones.
Open operations do not require prior operational authorisation or an operational declaration. A geographical zone can still require a separate flight authorisation. C0/C1 operations in A1, C2 operations in A2 and operations in A3 have different competency and distance requirements; select the subcategory from the actual job.
Specific category
If the operation does not meet an Open-category condition—for example certain BVLOS work or a plan whose people separation cannot fit the relevant subcategory—it normally moves to the Specific category. Possible routes include:
- EU Standard Scenario: submit a declaration for an operation that meets every STS condition; STS-01 uses a C5 aircraft and STS-02 a C6 aircraft.
- PDRA: use the relevant predefined risk assessment as the basis for an operational-authorisation application when the operation fits it.
- Risk assessment/SORA: develop the required assessment and mitigations for an operation not covered by a simpler route.
- LUC: an organisational approval for eligible operators, with privileges defined by the authority; it is not an entry-level pilot certificate.
A declaration is not the same as an operational authorisation. For an STS, submit the declaration to the authority in the operator’s state of registration and wait for confirmation of receipt and completeness before operating.
Build the Authorisation Package
Follow the national authority’s current process. The package may require an operations manual, risk assessment, technical details, pilot competency, maintenance controls, emergency response, ground and air risk mitigations and evidence that the location and people plan are realistic.
An operational authorisation does not automatically grant access to a geographical zone, private property or a protected site. Check those layers separately. For cross-border Specific operations, use the procedure in Regulation 2019/947 and the authorities involved; do not assume an authorisation can simply be carried into another state.
Competency Is Operation-specific
A1/A3 or A2 competency may be sufficient for an Open-category job but not for a Specific operation. STS remote pilots must meet the theory and practical-skill requirements of the scenario. Other authorisations specify the competency and recurrent practice appropriate to their risk.
Keep training and recent-experience records, practise abnormal procedures and brief observers or other crew on their exact roles. A commercial portfolio is not evidence of regulatory competency.
Aircraft, Maintenance and Data Quality
Select equipment for the authorised operation and deliverable rather than marketing appeal. Record firmware configuration, maintenance, defects, batteries and any payload calibration needed for the product. C5 or C6 class marking is mandatory when using the corresponding EU Standard Scenario.
For mapping or inspection, state expected accuracy and limitations. GNSS reception, ground control, sensor settings, overlap and processing can matter more than image resolution. Do not promise survey-grade output without the controls and professional competence required in the destination.
Insurance Without a Generic Europe-wide Limit
Insurance duties vary by country, aircraft mass, purpose and operation. Regulation 785/2004 sets the EU liability framework relevant to aircraft of 20 kg and above; below that, national rules can differ. Clients or authorisations may impose higher or additional cover.
Ask the insurer to confirm commercial use, territory, aircraft and payload, the exact authorised operation, third-party liability, data or professional risks where relevant, and exclusions. Do not copy a popular generic coverage figure into every proposal without establishing the legal and contractual requirement.
Business, Contracts and Privacy
Use the appropriate business, tax and professional framework for the country in which you operate. A client contract should define scope, weather and authority contingencies, site access, deliverables, intellectual property, retention, cancellation, liability and who provides information or permissions.
When footage or sensor data identifies people, the operator or client may be a controller under data-protection law. Establish roles, lawful basis, transparency, minimisation, security, retention and handling of individual requests before collection. Infrastructure, thermal or location data can also be commercially or security sensitive.
A Repeatable Job Workflow
- Define the exact operation and deliverable.
- Classify it as Open, Specific or Certified.
- Check the official UAS map and site permissions.
- Obtain declarations, authorisations and insurance evidence.
- Document crew, aircraft, maintenance and data controls.
- Brief stop conditions and contingencies.
- Fly only within the approved scope.
- Secure, review and deliver the data under the contract.
Official Sources
- EASA: Open category for leisure and low-risk commercial work
- EASA: EU Standard Scenarios
- EASA: Easy Access Rules for UAS
- EUR-Lex: Regulation 785/2004 on insurance requirements
Conclusion
A professional drone business is built on repeatable scope control, not a special commercial licence. Use Open for genuinely low-risk work that fits every condition, and the correct Specific-category route when it does not. Price the real planning, permission, insurance and data obligations into the job before promising the flight.
Rules change and vary by country. Check the national authority before you fly — every country page links straight to it.