How Much Does Skydiving Cost in Italy: 2026 Price Guide

Wondering what it actually costs to jump out of a plane — whether for a one-time experience or to get seriously into skydiving?

The honest answer is: it depends on what you want to do. A tandem jump — where you jump with an instructor and need no technical preparation on your part — is a very different cost from an AFF course, which is the progressive training programme that leads to an ENAC skydiving licence. And personal equipment is a whole other chapter.

This guide gives you real prices from the Italian market in 2026, explained straight. No made-up figures, no sales pitch — just what you need to know before you open your wallet.

The Tandem Jump: for those who want to try it once

A tandem jump is one where you're harnessed to the front of a certified instructor — the Tandem Master, a role requiring a specific ENAC qualification. You don't need to know anything: they handle everything, from the exit to the landing. Your preparation typically lasts 20–30 minutes.

A tandem jump does not lead to a licence: you don't earn any certification from it. It's an experience, not a lesson. If you want to learn to jump on your own, the path is different (see the section on the AFF course).

Typical price range in Italy:

Basic tandem jump (no video): €180–240

Tandem jump with GoPro mounted on the instructor: €220–280

Tandem jump with a dedicated camera flyer (a third skydiver who films you during freefall): €280–380

These prices always include: use of equipment, pre-jump briefing, the aircraft flight, and the Tandem Master. They almost never include: optional supplemental insurance, extra photos, or merchandise.

Something I often see cause confusion: the price of a tandem jump almost never depends on exit altitude. The standard altitude is around 4,000 metres — which is where this site gets its name. Some dropzones offer higher exit altitudes at an added cost, but that's an option, not the norm.

What Affects the Price of a Tandem Jump: the real variables

Same jump, different prices — why? Here are the factors that actually make a difference.

1. Geographic location Dropzones in northern Italy (especially Lombardia, Veneto, and Piemonte) tend to charge slightly more than those in central and southern Italy. It's not an absolute rule, but it reflects local operating costs.

2. Season Summer and weekends are more expensive. Some schools offer reduced rates on weekdays or during the off-season (October–April). If you're flexible, you can save €20–40 without giving anything up.

3. The video package The difference between "no video", "instructor video", and "dedicated camera flyer" is significant — both in price and in the result. A dedicated camera flyer (an experienced skydiver who flies around you during freefall) produces far more spectacular footage, but costs more.

4. Last-minute or group deals Many dropzones offer discounts for groups (4+ people) or for those who book well in advance. It's always worth asking.

A concrete example: Giulia is 28 and wants to do a tandem jump for her birthday with three friends. She books in advance for a Tuesday in September, with no video. Price per person: around €190. The same four people on a Saturday in July with a dedicated camera flyer: easily €320–350 each.

What Is NOT Included in the Tandem Price (and what to watch out for)

Before booking, always check these points:

Is video included or charged separately? Many dropzones advertise a base price without video and then offer it as an add-on. That's not dishonest, but it's good to know upfront.

Is there a weight limit? Yes, almost always. The typical limit is around 100–110 kg, but it varies by school and depends on the available equipment. For the Tandem Master, this is a safety issue, not an aesthetic one.

What happens if the weather prevents the jump? Reputable dropzones will reschedule at no penalty. Check the policy before you pay.

Is a medical certificate required? For a tandem jump, generally no: you just sign a self-declaration of good health on the day. The ENAC Class 2 medical certificate is not required (that's needed for the AFF course and the licence). If you have heart conditions, epilepsy, or other relevant health issues, speak with your GP first and let the dropzone know.

On that last point, I want to be clear: don't conceal health conditions. The Tandem Master is not a doctor, but they have both the right and the responsibility to assess your fitness to jump. A false self-declaration doesn't protect you — it exposes you to real risk.

The AFF Course: the path for those who want to learn for real

AFF stands for Accelerated Freefall. It's the progressive training method now standard at most ENAC-certified skydiving schools in Italy.

The core idea: rather than having you do dozens of low-altitude jumps with automatic deployment (as in the traditional Static Line method), AFF takes you straight into freefall from altitude, alongside qualified instructors. The progression is faster and far more rewarding.

A complete AFF course typically includes:

A full day of theory and ground training (ground school)

7–9 progressive jump levels, each with specific technical objectives

Consolidation jumps after the levels

A final assessment

Once you've met all the requirements, you can apply for an ENAC skydiving licence — the only document in Italy that authorises you to jump independently. It's not called a "licence A" or "licence B": ENAC issues a single licence, not divided into levels. The A/B/C/D letters you hear at schools are an international convention derived from FAI/USPA standards, used to describe experience levels, but they carry no regulatory weight in Italy.

How Much Does the AFF Course Cost: a realistic estimate

Costs here vary more than for a tandem jump, because they depend on how many jumps you need (not everyone passes every level on the first attempt), the equipment used, and the school.

Realistic estimate for a complete AFF course in Italy:

Ground school (theory): often included in the package, or €50–100 separately

7–9 AFF level package: €1,200–1,800

Consolidation jumps (typically 10–15 extra jumps): €20–35 per jump

Equipment rental during the course: often included in the package, otherwise €15–25 per jump

ENAC Class 2 medical certificate (required for the licence): €80–150 from an authorised ENAC medical examiner

Membership at an AeCI-affiliated aero club (required for the sporting side): €40–80 per year

Indicative total to reach the ENAC licence: between €1,800 and €2,500, depending on the school, location, and number of extra jumps needed.

Note: if you need to repeat a level (it happens — it's not a failure), each extra jump has a cost. Budget a 10–15% margin on top of the base package.

A concrete example: Marco is 32, weighs 78 kg, and has no flying experience. He starts an AFF course at an ENAC-certified school in northern Italy. He passes every level on the first attempt, completes 12 consolidation jumps, gets his medical certificate, and joins the local aero club. Total cost: around €2,200.

The ENAC Class 2 Medical Certificate: don't overlook it

To start an AFF course and obtain an ENAC licence, you need a Class 2 medical certificate issued by an authorised ENAC medical examiner — not your GP, and not a general sports medicine doctor.

An ENAC medical examiner is a specific role, authorised by the agency. The examination assesses cardiac, visual, neurological, and general health parameters. It is not a routine check-up.

Indicative cost: between €80 and €150, depending on the practitioner and city.

To find an authorised ENAC medical examiner in your area, the official reference is the ENAC website (enac.gov.it). You can also ask your school directly — they usually have up-to-date contacts.

The certificate has a validity period that should be checked against current ENAC regulations. To keep your licence active, you'll need to renew it periodically — it's not a one-time document.

After the Licence: the cost of jumping regularly

Once you have your ENAC licence, skydiving becomes a recurring activity. Here are the costs you'll encounter:

Cost per jump (renting equipment, no gear of your own):

Full rig rental (the parachute system): €20–35 per jump

Aircraft slot: €20–35 per jump

Total per jump: typically €40–70

Fixed annual costs:

AeCI membership renewal: €40–80

ENAC Class 2 medical certificate renewal: €80–150 (at the frequency required by regulations)

Currency requirements (to keep your licence active): ENAC regulations require you to complete at least 15 jumps in the last 12 months, including at least 1 in the last 3 months, and at least 10 minutes of freefall every 12 months. If you fall outside these parameters, your licence becomes inactive and returning to currency requires check jumps with an instructor.

If you jump 20–25 times a year (a comfortable average for an active skydiver), the annual cost of the activity — excluding personal equipment — comes to around €1,000–1,800, including membership and medical renewal.

Personal Equipment: when to buy it and how much to spend

The most common mistake beginners make is wanting to buy gear straight away. The unanimous advice from instructors — and mine after 3,100 jumps — is: wait until you have at least 200 jumps before buying your first rig.

Why? Because in your first 200 jumps, you'll change your mind about everything: the canopy you like, the size, the disciplines you want to pursue. Buying too early almost certainly means selling again soon — at a loss.

When the time comes, here are the indicative costs:

Used equipment (the sensible choice for beginners):

Complete used rig (container + harness + main canopy + reserve + AAD): €3,000–5,000

New equipment:

New container + harness: €2,500–4,000

New main canopy: €1,500–2,500

New reserve canopy: €1,200–2,000

New AAD (automatic activation device — e.g. Cypres, Vigil, MARS): €1,000–1,500

Total new: €6,000–10,000

The AAD deserves an explanation: it's an electronic device that measures altitude and speed. If you're still in freefall at too low an altitude — an emergency situation — it automatically activates the reserve, your emergency canopy. It is not legally required in all situations, but every serious school considers it essential safety equipment. Never jump without a functioning AAD.

Additional accessories:

Analogue or digital altimeter: €80–300

Audible altimeter (beeps at preset altitudes during freefall): €200–400

Helmet: €100–600 (from basic open-face to advanced full-face)

Jumpsuit: €150–500

Buying Used Equipment: what to check

The used gear market in skydiving is active and relatively safe — provided you follow a few firm rules.

Checklist before buying a used rig:

Check the container's manufacture date. Containers have an operational lifespan. Always ask for the year of production and compare it against the manufacturer's limits.

Check the date of the reserve's last repack. The reserve must be repacked by a certified rigger at intervals specified by ENAC regulations. A rig with an out-of-date reserve cannot be used until it has been repacked.

Check the AAD's status. Every AAD has an operational lifespan (typically 10–12 years for the most common models) and requires periodic servicing. Check the manufacture date and the date of the last service. An AAD that is overdue for service provides no guarantees.

Have everything inspected by an ENAC-certified rigger before purchase. A rigger — the technician qualified to maintain and inspect parachute equipment — can identify problems that an untrained eye will miss. It costs little and is worth a great deal.

Never buy from unknown private sellers without documentation. Ask for the rig's maintenance logbook, the AAD documentation, and the date of the reserve's last repack.

On this point I won't be ambiguous: a rig without documentation is a rig you should not buy, regardless of the price.

The Cost of Advanced Disciplines

After getting your licence, skydiving opens up in many directions. Some disciplines require additional training — and additional cost.

Freefly (head-down, sit-fly): flying in a vertical orientation at much higher speeds than traditional belly-to-earth freefall. Requires specific courses with a freefly instructor. Indicative cost for a basic course: €300–600 (3–5 jumps with an instructor).

Wingsuit: the suit that turns your body into a gliding surface. In Italy, to fly a wingsuit you must hold a CS (Special Techniques Certification) for wingsuit — an ENAC qualification with specific requirements: a minimum number of recent jumps and a first flight course with a certified wingsuit instructor. Cost of the first flight course: typically €400–800. The wingsuit itself: €800–2,000 new.

Canopy Piloting / Swoop: advanced canopy flight with high-speed landings. Requires significant experience and specific training. Not a discipline for someone who has just earned their licence.

Canopy safety courses: strongly recommended for everyone, even without competitive ambitions. A 1–2 day course on canopy emergency management can literally save your life. Cost: €200–400.

Summary: how much will I spend in each scenario

Here's a summary breakdown for the three most common profiles.

Scenario 1 — I just want to try it (tandem jump)

Tandem jump without video: ~€200

Tandem jump with dedicated camera flyer: ~€300–350

No other mandatory costs

Medical certificate: not required (self-declaration only)

Scenario 2 — I want to get my ENAC licence (AFF course)

Complete AFF course + consolidation jumps: €1,800–2,500

ENAC Class 2 medical certificate: €80–150

AeCI membership: €40–80

Total: approximately €2,000–2,700

Scenario 3 — I have my licence and want to buy my own equipment

Complete used rig: €3,000–5,000

Altimeter + helmet + jumpsuit: €400–1,000

Total equipment: approximately €3,500–6,000

Annual activity cost (20–25 jumps, no rig rental): €600–1,200 + medical + membership

These are indicative figures, not quotes. Prices vary by location, season, and school. Always ask the dropzone you've chosen for a detailed breakdown — a reputable school will answer transparently.

How to Choose the Right School (and not waste your money)

The lowest price isn't always the best choice. Here's what to check before signing up for an AFF course:

Is the school ENAC-certified? That's the minimum requirement. Without ENAC certification, it is not a legally operating skydiving school in Italy. Ask directly or check the ENAC website.

Do the instructors hold ENAC qualifications? An AFF instructor must hold a specific qualification noted on their ENAC licence. You can ask to see it.

Does the package include equipment rental? Some packages look affordable but don't include rig rental during the course. Add up the full total before comparing.

How many instructors are at the dropzone? A school with few instructors may have long waits between levels. Continuity through the course matters for learning.

How do they handle repeated levels? Ask explicitly what a repeat jump costs. A transparent school will answer without hesitation.

A final note on safety: skydiving is an activity with managed risk, not zero risk. The safety standards at ENAC schools are rigorous, and the instructors are qualified. But no jump is "risk-free". Choose a school that talks to you honestly about this — not one that only tells you what you want to hear.