Flying a drone in Denmark: the regulations guide

1 · The open category

The European regulation applies in Denmark, supplemented by the national executive order on drones (BEK 1649, amended by BEK 527 on 1 July 2025). The authority is Trafikstyrelsen (the Danish Transport Authority), which runs the droneregler.dk website. In the open category: never more than 120 m, never out of sight, and a safety distance of 1:1 with the flight height (at 50 m height, 50 m distance) — see the European framework. The subcategories:

• ▸A1 — C0 drones (up to 249 g) and C1 drones (250 to 899 g): no intentional flying over uninvolved people, never over crowds.
• ▸A2 — C2 (900 g to 3.99 kg): at least 30 m from uninvolved people (5 m below 3 m/s), with the 1:1 rule.
• ▸A3 — at least 150 m from residential, commercial and recreational areas; the flight is interrupted if someone enters the operating area (at 30 m at the latest).

• ▸Drones without a class: under 250 g, A1; above, A3.
• ▸Minimum age (BEK 1649, § 6): 15 years; 12 years for a drone under 250 g; no age limit for a toy.
• ▸At night: allowed, if the drone emits a flashing green light.

The Trafikstyrelsen pages consulted carry 2025 dates, sometimes earlier than BEK 527: for distances from aerodromes, the guide gives the figures of BEK 527.

2 · Zones: Dronezoner and the drone executive order

The official map is “Dronezoner” (Trafikstyrelsen; data from Trafikstyrelsen and the Defence): red zones (aerodromes, medical helicopters — in principle prohibited), blue (palaces, sensitive sites, military sites), green (Natura 2000), orange (caution), yellow (NOTAMs). The main rules of the executive order:

• ▸Aerodromes (BEK 527): no operation within 8 km of an IMC aerodrome runway or a military base, nor within 4 km of a VMC aerodrome; within 2 km of a medical helicopter site (HEMS).
• ▸Sensitive sites: 150 m from embassies, prison facilities, police property (and courts, since BEK 527); 150 m around royal palaces and prohibited in their gardens; 1,000 m from military zones (300 m in an urban area).
• ▸Natural areas (§ 14): no operation in bird protection zones and habitats without the permission of Trafikstyrelsen, with protection periods set for each site. And (§ 15): over or near animals, including wild birds, only for necessary tasks.
• ▸Dwellings (§ 19): flying over a house or its enclosed garden requires the agreement of the owner or occupant; not within 2.5 m of an unfenced dwelling.
• ▸Roads where the permitted speed exceeds 70 km/h: prohibited without permission. 1,000 m from an incident site (police, fire brigade). 5 m from live power lines, 15 m from railway lines. Exemptions exist with a certificate of competency.

⚠️ Glydar’s map does not display Denmark’s regulations: the Dronezoner map prevails, to be checked before every flight — see coverage, country by country.

3 · Registration, certificate and insurance

• ▸Operator registration: online with Trafikstyrelsen using MitID; mandatory for a drone over 250 g, or a lighter one with a sensor (a camera) — not for a toy or a drone under 250 g without a sensor. Once is enough, even with several drones. 65 DKK (2026); valid for 3 years since BEK 527. The number must be legible and visible on the drone.
• ▸Certificate: A1/A3 online (40 questions, valid for five years), 130 DKK with three attempts; A2: after practical self-study, an in-person exam. Up to 249 g with camera and equipment, no certificate.
• ▸Third-party liability insurance: compulsory (BEK 1649, § 4), with a minimum of 0.75 million special drawing rights (about 7 million DKK). BEK 527 removes this minimum for a micro-drone under 250 g and under 19 m/s used for leisure: sufficient cover is still required.

4 · FPV and immersive flying

Trafikstyrelsen is explicit: with video goggles, an observer always stands next to the pilot. Only one observer is allowed per operation; the observer needs no certificate, and must use no instrument (binoculars included). Outside the Modelflyvning Danmark club, FPV flying falls under A3: 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas.

5 · Before every flight

• ▸Consult Dronezoner: aerodromes (8 and 4 km), HEMS, sensitive sites, Natura 2000 and protected zones.
• ▸Operator number on the drone, A1/A3 certificate if the drone exceeds 249 g, insurance.
• ▸An observer alongside for FPV; a flashing green light at night.

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

6 · Penalties: what the law says

This is what the texts provide, without adding anything:

• ▸Drones (Aviation Act, § 149, para. 16): breach of § 126 b (flying outside the zones critical to aviation safety, security or sensitive natural areas) and of § 126 c (insurance) is punished by a fine; the law sets no maximum amount.
• ▸Alcohol, drugs, unfitness (§ 126 e, § 149 para. 17): fine; up to one year in prison in case of a previous conviction.
• ▸General aviation cases (§ 149, paras. 7 and 11: failing to comply with an order or a prohibition based on the law or on Union law): fine or up to four months in prison.
• ▸The executive order (BEK 1649, § 33) punishes with a fine the breach of a series of articles, including those on zones. The police carry out checks; fines are a matter for the courts.

These are maximums: the judge decides. 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 that they are exhaustive or up to date, and does not amount to authorisation to fly.

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.