Flying a drone in Austria: the regulations guide

1 · The open category

European regulations apply in Austria, and the authority is Austro Control, which runs the dronespace.at portal. It presents the open category as follows — see the European framework: flight in uninterrupted direct sight without technical aids, at no more than 120 m above the ground, with no dangerous goods or dropped objects. The subcategories:

• ▸A1 — drones under 900 g; overflight of uninvolved people is only permitted with a class C0 drone (under 250 g).
• ▸A2 — drones up to 4 kg, at least 30 m from uninvolved people.
• ▸A3 — drones up to 25 kg, at least 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas, with no uninvolved person in the flight area.

• ▸Drones with no class: since 1 January 2024, they fly in the open category — up to 249 g in A1, the others in A3.
• ▸Age: 16 to take the “drone licence”; 18 to be an operator (LFG § 24j). Otherwise, the flight is made under the direct supervision of a qualified remote pilot.
• ▸Remote identification: mandatory since 1 January 2024 for classes C1, C2, C3, C5 and C6, not for a C0 under 250 g.
• ▸Land: overflight is free (LFG § 2), but the landowner’s consent is needed to take off and land.

2 · Zones: the Austrian rules of the air

The official map is Austro Control Dronespace (website and apps), maintained by Austro Control; zones are set by the rules of the air (LVR 2014, § 18 and § 18b) and are cumulative. The main ones, for leisure flying:

• ▸Control zones (CTR) — Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz, Salzburg, Vienna-Schwechat: air traffic control consent is required; exception: a drone under 250 g up to 30 m height.
• ▸Aerodrome zones: a separate authorisation is needed.
• ▸Restricted-access zones — Vienna, Neusiedler See, Rheindelta, and the “ESC-WIEN-CITY” zone that came into force in 2026: Austro Control authorisation, for a fee; exception for a drone under 250 g up to 30 m height.
• ▸Military aerodrome safety zones (LFG § 24m): consent of the military flight directorate.
• ▸Protected natural areas: they do not appear on the Austro Control map; information must be sought from the competent authorities, often those of the Länder.

⚠️ Glydar’s map does not display Austria’s regulations: the Austro Control Dronespace map prevails, to be consulted before each flight — see coverage, country by country.

3 · Registration, drone licence and insurance

• ▸Operator registration: mandatory for a drone of 250 g or more, or one that can transfer more than 80 joules, or one fitted with a personal data sensor — a camera is enough, except for a toy. It is done online on Austro Control Dronespace, costs €46.80 and is valid for three years. The number goes on every drone. The registration certificate and proof of insurance are carried on every flight (LFG § 24j).
• ▸Drone licence: mandatory for all remote pilots of drones over 249 g in the open category; free online course then a 40-question test (A1/A3), to be carried on every flight. For A2: a 30-question exam on site at Austro Control, 75% correct answers, €69.60. Under 250 g with a camera: registration yes, online test no.
• ▸Third-party liability insurance: Austro Control writes that every drone must be insured, with cover of at least 750,000 special drawing rights under the LFG. The LFG provides other amounts by weight (§ 151): their application to small drones is not settled by these sources.

4 · FPV and immersive flight

The Austrian pages consulted set no rule specific to FPV or night flying: the European framework applies. Yet Austro Control requires uninterrupted visual contact without technical aids: in immersive flight, an observer is therefore needed beside the pilot, in direct sight, with clear communication.

5 · Before every flight

• ▸Check Austro Control Dronespace: control zones, aerodrome zones, restricted-access zones; seek information for natural areas.
• ▸Carry the registration certificate, proof of insurance and the drone licence if the drone exceeds 249 g.
• ▸Obtain the landowner’s consent to take off and land.

This guide simplifies — it replaces neither the official texts nor an up-to-date check. In case of doubt: Austro Control, RIS.

6 · Penalties: what the law says

In Austria, these breaches are administrative offences. Here is what the text provides, without adding anything:

• ▸Violation of aviation law — including the European drone regulations (LFG § 169, para. 1; it expressly cites regulations 2019/945 and 2019/947): a fine of up to €22,000, imposed by the district administrative authority; in the case of aggravating circumstances, up to six weeks’ deprivation of liberty in addition.
• ▸Confiscation: a drone that is the object of the offence may be declared forfeit.
• ▸The penalty only applies if the act is not criminally punishable by a court. The police assist the authority in case of suspected unlawful flight, and the pilot is identifiable by the registration number.

These are ceilings: the authority exercises its discretion. They are those of the text on the date this guide was checked (October 2026) — the text of the law prevails, not this page.

7 · Your responsibility, and what Glydar does

Glydar informs; it exempts from nothing. This guide draws on official sources but is not an official source, does not guarantee their completeness or that they are up to date, and does not constitute flight authorisation.

The remote pilot remains solely responsible for their flight and its compliance, as the terms of use recall. Everything needed to check is within reach: coverage, country by country, the official map and the texts cited below.