Check2FlyEuropean drone flight rules at a glance

Central Europe

Germany

Germany applies the common EASA framework but combines it with national geographical zones under § 21h LuftVO, mandatory liability insurance and practical flight control via the dipul platform. In practice, before each flight you must check the dipul map, the operator registration status with the LBA and the required A1/A3 or A2 qualifications.

Altitude: 120 m AGLRegistration: May be required depending on the operation or aircraft.

Flight rules

Quick overview for this country

This is a short overview of the most important requirements. Always confirm details and exceptions in official sources.

Registration requiredYes, depending on the operation or equipment.

Training requiredYes, often needed for compliance in the open category.

Maximum altitude120 m AGL

Camera / registration noteOperator registration is required for drones over 250 g and for drones with a camera or another sensor that collects personal data. After registration with the LBA, the operator receives an electronic identification number (e-ID) that must be placed on every drone. For many drones of classes C0–C3, independent broadcasting of the e-ID via the remote identification system is also required.

Local points to double-check

Do not fly higher than 120 m, keep VLOS and do not fly over gatherings of people. In Germany the minimum pilot age is generally 16, but there is an exception for toys and privately built drones up to 249 g; younger pilots may also fly under the direct supervision of a person who meets the requirements.
In A3, keep at least 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas; in A2, an additional remote pilot certificate is required.
Before each flight, check the geographical zones in dipul, because in Germany local restrictions, ED-R and time-based restrictions are numerous and may require additional conditions or consent.
Around ordinary airfields other than airports, a geo-zone of 1.5 km from the airfield boundary applies. Around airports, 1000 m from the airfield boundary applies, as well as less than 1000 m from the extended centrelines of all runways over a length of 5 km; such flights require at least the specific category.
Within 100 m, additional restrictions apply at industrial facilities, prisons, military units, power plants and energy grids, constitutional and government facilities, embassies, police, hospitals and sites of emergency service operations.
Over residential property, the consent of the owner or authorised user is generally required, unless the drone weighs no more than 250 g and has no optical or acoustic recording or transmission function.
In Germany, liability insurance for drones is mandatory; the insurer's details and the policy number are needed already at the operator registration stage, and proof of insurance must be carried during the flight.
Night flights in the open category are permitted only with a green flashing light on the drone.
If a flight does not fall within the open category conditions or involves entering zones with additional requirements, you must move to the specific category and the appropriate process in dipul or with the relevant federal state (Land).

Pre-flight checklist

Check everything before takeoff

Tick off the steps to verify the most important points before the flight.

0/5 done

Step 1Check whether the operator is registered with the LBA and whether the e-ID number is marked on the drone.Step 2Confirm the required pilot qualifications and age: A1/A3 for many flights in the open category, A2 for operations in subcategory A2, and generally a minimum of 16 with local exceptions.Step 3Verify in dipul whether the flight location is in a geographical zone, ED-R or an area with additional conditions; pay particular attention to 1.5 km around airfields, 1000 m around airports and the 100 m zones around sensitive facilities.Step 4Make sure you have valid liability insurance and policy details matching the operator registration.Step 5If the flight involves night, check whether the drone has a green flashing light; if the flight does not fall within the open category, prepare the appropriate process for the specific category and any local consents.

Official sources

Where to confirm current information

Open the authority or official flight map to confirm zones and current restrictions.

Authority websiteLuftfahrt-BundesamtOpen source Flight mapdipul Map Tool / DFS drone flight informationOpen source

Information sources

dipul: registration and qualification dipul: minimum age and mandatory insurance dipul: legal basis for geographical zones dipul: geographical zones DFS: checklist for drone pilots

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Important

Check2Fly provides a simplified overview and does not replace official aviation regulations or current airspace data. Always verify local restrictions in official sources before flying.