If you fly a drone or model aircraft in the UK, there are important regulation changes coming into effect from January 1, 2026.<\/p>\n
These include:<\/p>\n
UK class marks and recognition of European C-class marks.<\/p>\n
Flyer ID now required for anyone flying a drone weighing 100g or more.<\/p>\n
Introduction of Remote ID.<\/p>\n
Green flashing light requirements.<\/p>\n
Drone laws: What’s new for 2026?<\/p>\n
Let’s take a deeper dive into what’s new for 2026. <\/p>\n
For a more in-depth review of UK drone laws, read our full UK drone rules guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n Drone class markings come into play in 2026<\/p>\n Class markings are a big one for 2026.<\/p>\n From January 1, 2026, all new drones placed on the UK market will use the UK class-marking system (UK0 to UK6). <\/p>\n However, in a big step forward, the current EU C-class marks will now be recognised under the equivalent UK-class mark. <\/p>\n E.g a C0 class drone will come under the same rules and regulations as if it were a UK0 class drone, C1 as UK1, all the way through to C6 as UK6.<\/p>\n This prolongs their use, and in some cases, means that UK operators will benefit from greater freedoms than previously.<\/p>\n Recognition of the EU C-class marks in the UK will run until the end of December 2027, after which, the class marking system will be replaced in the UK by the UK version. <\/p>\n Products without an EASA class marking (\u2018legacy products\u2019) can continue to be used by following the regulations in the UK classes, based on their weight.<\/p>\n The table below shows the operational subcategories for class-marked drones.<\/p>\n UK Class Mark\/EU equivalent<\/p>\n Open Category Sub-categories<\/p>\n UK0, UK1 (C0, C1)<\/p>\n Over People (A1)<\/p>\n UK2 (C2)<\/p>\n Near People (A2, A2 CofC certification needed)<\/p>\n UK2, UK3, UK4 (C2, C3, C4)<\/p>\n Far From People (A3)<\/p>\n For more details on class markings, read our in-depth guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n Greater flight freedoms for drone operators<\/p>\n A2 CofC<\/a> holders can now fly UK2-marked drones (or EU C2 drones until December 31, 2027) weighing up to 4kg and with feature-enhanced safety systems to:<\/p>\n Users of class-marked drones weighing up to 900g can now fly in the A1 subcategory – allowing them to fly over people, but not crowds.<\/p>\n Flyer ID required for drones over 100g<\/p>\n The UK CAA has changed the threshold for drone registration, especially in relation to the Flyer ID.<\/p>\n Previously, a Flyer ID was required for anyone flying a drone weighing 250g or more. <\/p>\n Now, anyone flying a drone weighing 100g or more must obtain a Flyer ID – available by completing the free test on the UK CAA website<\/a>.<\/p>\n The table below shows the new rules for Flyer ID, as well as the requirements for an Operator ID (if you own or are responsible for the drone).<\/p>\n Weight of drone or model aircraft<\/p>\n Class<\/p>\n Flyer ID<\/p>\n Operator ID<\/p>\n 250g to less than 25kg <\/p>\n UK1, UK2, UK3, UK4<\/p>\n Required <\/p>\n Required <\/p>\n 100g to less than 250g; with a camera <\/p>\n UK0 with a camera<\/p>\n Required <\/p>\n Required <\/p>\n 100g to less than 250g; without a camera <\/p>\n UK0 without a camera<\/p>\n Required <\/p>\n Optional<\/p>\n Less than 100g<\/p>\n Not applicable <\/p>\n Recommended<\/p>\n Optional<\/p>\n Remote ID<\/p>\n Before 2026, Remote ID was not mandatory in the UK. But from January 1, 2026, drone pilots will need to start to adhere to Remote ID requirements.<\/p>\n But this will not apply to everyone straight away.<\/p>\n From 2026, all UK class-marked drones (UK1, UK2, UK3, UK5, and UK6) will need to broadcast their Operator’s Remote ID and information when flying.<\/p>\n From January 1, 2028, Remote ID will become a requirement for a greater number of drone pilots, including those with non-UK class-marked drones.<\/p>\n