Screenshot from the Consulate-General of China in Florence

The Consulate-General of China in Florence issued a notice on Wednesday to remind Chinese citizens in Italy to strictly comply with local laws and regulations, exercise caution when using drones, and must not fly drones without authorization in or around sensitive areas such as religious or military sites.

Recently, some individual Chinese tourists in Italy were found to have used drones in violation of regulations, leading to the confiscation of their equipment by Italian law-enforcement authorities and the imposition of fines. Such cases not only cause financial losses but also result in significant inconvenience to personal travel plans, said the Consulate-General.

According to Italian law, individuals must complete the relevant category of online training and pass the corresponding exam before using a drone, as well as purchase third-party liability insurance. For drones equipped with cameras or weighing over 250 grams, operator registration is required. Also, drones must not exceed a flight altitude of 120 meters, and real-time airspace restrictions must be checked via the D-Flight map before operation. It is strictly prohibited to fly drones within 5 kilometers of airports, over military facilities, historical and cultural heritage sites, or densely populated areas, according to the notice. 

The Consulate-General of China in Florence reminds Chinese citizens in Italy to always bear in mind that they are primarily responsible for their own safety overseas, strictly comply with local laws and regulations, exercise caution when using drones, and familiarize themselves with no-fly zones in advance. In particular, they must not fly drones without authorization in or around sensitive areas such as religious or military sites, said the notice.


Global Times