Check2FlyEuropean drone flight rules at a glance

Western Europe

Netherlands

The Netherlands applies the common EASA framework but combines it with very dense airspace restrictions, local bans for the open category and practical flight planning via GoDrone. In practice, before each flight you must check the GoDrone or Aeret Kaartviewer map, the operator registration status in the RDW and the required pilot 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 with a camera and for drones of 250 g or more. The operator number issued by the RDW must be placed on the drone, and for many drones Remote ID has also been required since 1 January 2024. An operator from another EU country generally uses the registration from their home country, whereas a non-EU operator registers in the first EU country of the planned flight.

Local points to double-check

Do not fly higher than 120 m, keep VLOS and do not fly at night in the open category.
The minimum pilot age in the open category is 16, unless the flight is carried out under the supervision of a person aged 16+ with the appropriate vliegbewijs; for C0 under 250 g, safe use has milder conditions. The night flight ban in the Netherlands applies explicitly to the open category.
In open you may not fly over gatherings of people, over roads with a limit of 80 km/h or higher, over railways, military areas, airports, certain Natura 2000 areas and other areas designated by the state or land managers.
Drones labelled C1, C2 and C3 and operations in specific must have Remote ID; C0 and C4 are generally exempt.
As of 2026, many new no-fly zones have been introduced around industrial sites and critical infrastructure (including power plants, treatment plants, chemical factories, major traffic junctions); at the same time, the outer rings of the CTRs around the main airports (Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague, Groningen Eelde, Lelystad, Maastricht Aachen) have been opened for open category flights. Always verify the current status in GoDrone or Aeret Kaartviewer.
If a flight does not meet the conditions of the open category - e.g. near an airport, above 120 m, BVLOS or over people - you must move to the specific category and obtain an authorisation or submit a declaration to the ILT.

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 correctly registered in the RDW or another relevant EASA state and whether the operator number is marked on the drone.Step 2Confirm the required vliegbewijs and pilot age: A1/A3 for many flights in the open category, an additional authorisation for A2 for flights closer to uninvolved people, and generally a minimum of 16.Step 3Verify in GoDrone or Aeret Kaartviewer whether the flight location is in a prohibited zone, near an airport or in an area with additional conditions.Step 4Check whether the drone requires Remote ID and whether the configuration matches the Cx class and the planned flight category.Step 5If the operation does not fall within the open category, prepare the process for the specific category and the required coordination with the ILT or the airspace manager.

Official sources

Where to confirm current information

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

Authority websiteRijksoverheid / RDW / ILTOpen source Flight mapGoDrone / Aeret KaartviewerOpen source

Information sources

Rijksoverheid: general drone flight rules Rijksoverheid: open category Rijksoverheid: where you can fly RDW: operator registration GoDrone

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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.