Drone laws in Europe

New EU rules for drones since 2021

The EU Drone Regulation uniformly regulates flying with drones ("unmanned aerial vehicles") in the EU. The operation of model aircraft also falls under this regulation.

The EU Drone Regulation has been applicable in all EU member states since December 31, 2020. However, individual states can still define zones where flying is not permitted under any circumstances (no-fly zones), for example near airports or military installations.

These regulations also apply in the United Kingdom as well as in the other member states of the European Aviation Safety Agency EASA, including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This has resulted in uniform regulation of airspace within the European Union. These regulations must be followed from December 31, 2020.

The EU's new regulations take a risk-based approach. The required conditions for a drone flight vary depending on the potential hazard. No distinction is made between private and commercial flights.

Drone categories

Category "open"

Open Category A1

Open Category A2

Open Category A3

The category "open" is particularly relevant for private use and includes - depending on the take-off weight - different classes of drones:

• C0: Drones under 250 grams take-off weight.
• C1: Drones from 250 grams to under 900 grams take-off weight
• C2: Drones from 900 grams to under 4 kilograms takeoff weight.
• C3 and C4: Drones from 4 kilograms to under 25 kilograms takeoff weight

Category "specific"

In the "specific" category, out-of-visibility flights (BVLOS) are allowed. This category is used for camera flights over populated areas or for flying over infrastructure.

Category "certified"

The "certified" category is intended for drone operations in which the risk is comparable to that in manned aviation. This provides for certification of the aircraft. A certification is necessary in any case if the aircraft

• for the transportation of persons or hazardous materials; or
• for flying over crowds of people with drones over three meters in size

CE-Definition

For the information of purchasers, manufacturers are obliged to label the products with a CE marking (C0 - C4) and to enclose an information sheet on obligations of the operator.

During the transition period, "older " drones already purchased before December 31, 2020, can also be used in the "open" category without CE marking under certain conditions. However, the operator of the drone must register online.

• Open Category with CE
• Open Category without CE

Registration and drone license

Since December 31, 2020, all operators of drones weighing 250 grams or more (and also less than 250 grams for high-speed drones or drones with cameras) are required to register. This online registration obligation also applies to operators of model aircraft.

When operating or flying drones with a take-off weight of 250 grams or more, a drone operator's license is also mandatory. On the other hand, drones in the "open" category do not require a license.

Authorization by the authorities

According to the EU Drone Regulation, drone operations are categorized as "open", "specific" and "certified" based on weight and operational environment.

Official permits are only required for flying with drones in the categories "specific" or "certified", for the latter it is currently not yet possible, as the regulation for this is still being developed at the European level. In the category "open", which is mainly relevant for private use, a permit is only required if the requirements of this category are not met.

An operating license must then be obtained under the "specific" category.

Consolidated version of the regulation (EU) 2019/947, diese Fassung enthält in einem Dokument die Verordnungen (EU) 2019/947, 2020/639 und 2020/746, the text is for information purposes only and is not a binding version.

More Links

• https://europeandronecompany.com/european-drone-authorities-and-nofly-zones/