Flying a drone in Germany: the regulations guide

1 · The open category

The European regulation applies in Germany, supplemented by the Aviation Act (LuftVG) and the Air Traffic Regulations (LuftVO). The federal portal dipul (Federal Ministry of Transport) summarises the open category — the European framework — as follows:

• ▸A1 — class C0 drone or privately built drone under 250 g: flying over uninvolved people is permitted, never over crowds. Class C1 (under 900 g): no flying over uninvolved people; a European certificate of competency is required.
• ▸A2 — class C2 (under 4 kg): no flying over people; A2 certificate of competency, with a supplementary exam.
• ▸A3 — classes C2, C3, C4 or privately built drone under 25 kg: at least 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas; risks to uninvolved people must be excluded.

In A3, the horizontal distance from uninvolved people is at least 30 m, at least the flight height (1:1 rule) and at least the distance the drone covers in 2 seconds at its maximum speed. Unclassed drones placed on the market before 1 January 2024 may still fly in A1 (under 250 g) and in A3 (under 25 kg).

2 · Geographical zones: § 21h of the Air Traffic Regulations

Airspace is free for drones as long as no law restricts it — and § 21h LuftVO restricts several zones, which the official dipul map displays. A few of them, including those that affect recreational flying most:

• ▸Aerodromes (other than airports): above them and within 1.5 km of their boundary, with the consent of the air traffic control body, the flight director or the operator — or in the specific category.
• ▸Airports : within 1,000 m of their boundary, and within 5 km of their extended runway centrelines, only in the specific category. In a control zone: air traffic control clearance is required.
• ▸Sensitive facilities — industry, prisons, military sites, power plants, federal authorities, police services, hospitals, accident or emergency sites: within 100 m, only with the express consent of the operator or authority.
• ▸Federal motorways, federal waterways and railway lines : within 100 m, with exceptions — consent of the operator, or a flight height always below the lateral distance, which is itself always above 10 m.
• ▸Nature reserves, national parks and protected sites : the consent of the nature conservation authority is the rule; outside national parks, an exception exists but it does not apply to sport or recreation.
• ▸Residential property : flying over it only with the express consent of the owner or occupant — except for a drone of 250 g or less with no recording equipment, or at a height of at least 100 m under strict conditions (no flying between 22h and 6h).
• ▸Open-air swimming pools and beaches : outside opening or bathing hours.

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

3 · Registration, age, training and insurance

• ▸Operator registration with the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA): mandatory for a drone of more than 249 g, or a lighter one with a personal data sensor (camera, microphone…). An electronic number (e-ID) is issued, unique to each person, to be affixed to all of their drones.
• ▸Training : the A1/A3 certificate of competency (LBA online training and test) is required before the first flight from 250 g; below that, it is recommended. For A2, a supplementary theory test at an approved centre.
• ▸Minimum age : 16 — except toys, privately built drones of 249 g or less, and flying under the direct supervision of a remote pilot who meets the conditions.
• ▸Third-party liability insurance : mandatory (LuftVG, § 43), with proof to be carried during the flight; its minimum cover is set in § 37 of the same act, which the page does not quantify. Flying without proof of insurance is an administrative offence.
• ▸Model flying pilots also fly within associations approved by the LBA: the DMFV and the MFSD.

4 · FPV and immersive flying

The German sources consulted set no FPV-specific rule: the European framework applies. In the open category, the remote pilot keeps the drone in direct line of sight, or is assisted by an observer — immersive flying therefore requires an observer.

5 · Before every flight

• ▸Check the official dipul map (and the temporary restrictions it publishes): aerodromes, control zones, protected sites.
• ▸Have the e-ID number on the drone, proof of insurance on hand and the certificate if the drone exceeds 250 g.
• ▸Do not fly over residential property without consent; do not enter a nature reserve or national park without the authority’s consent.

This guide simplifies — it replaces neither the official texts nor an up-to-date check. When in doubt: LBA, dipul map, the Land’s aviation authority.

6 · Penalties: what the law says

In Germany, these breaches are administrative offences (Ordnungswidrigkeiten), committed intentionally or through negligence. Here is what the text provides, with nothing added:

• ▸Flying in a geographical zone outside the conditions of § 21h LuftVO : fine of up to €50,000 (§ 44, para. 1, point 17d, of the Air Traffic Regulations; § 58, para. 1, point 10, and para. 3, of the Aviation Act).
• ▸Failing to comply with the open category requirements of the European regulation — distances from people, sub-category conditions, competency — : fine of up to €50,000 (§ 58, para. 2, LuftVG).
• ▸Flying without third-party liability insurance : fine of up to €50,000 (§ 58, para. 1, point 15, LuftVG).
• ▸Registration: data not provided or number not affixed : fine of up to €50,000 (§ 58, para. 1, points 18 and 19, and para. 2, point 4, LuftVG).

These are maximums: the authority assesses each case. Other laws — criminal, data protection — may also apply: they are not detailed here. The texts are those in force at 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 itself an official source, does not guarantee that they are exhaustive or up to date, and does not constitute authorisation to fly.

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