Germany DE

EASA rules plus strict national extras: insurance for every drone, no camera drones over private homes, and wide buffers around roads, railways and industrial sites.

Draft: not yet reviewedUpdated 23 Sept 2026Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA)

65Fly score

86Import score

73Combined

Your plan

Choose your home country (top right) to see steps tailored to you.

2 things to sort out before you fly

Register your drone in Germany
One operator registration (not per drone) for drones of 250 g or more, or any drone with a camera that isn't a toy. Valid in every EASA state. Fee: 20 EUR. Allow about 1 day before your trip.
Open official page
Remote ID may apply
Direct Remote ID is required for C1, C2 and C3 class drones and in some geographical zones.
Carry liability insurance
Required. Check that your policy covers flights in Germany.
Bringing your drone in
Personal luggage from outside the EU: goods up to €430 (air travel) are duty-free. Drones bought abroad above that pay import VAT. Batteries: Carry-on only. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100–160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares).
Before each flight
Max 120 m above ground, always in visual line of sight · Check geographical zones on the dipul map before take-off · No flights over residential properties with camera drones or drones of 250 g or more without the owner's consent
Open official page

Flying

VisitorsAllowed

Max altitude120 m

Line of sightRequired

Night flightsAllowed

Max 120 m above ground, always in visual line of sight
Check geographical zones on the dipul map before take-off
No flights over residential properties with camera drones or drones of 250 g or more without the owner's consent
Keep lateral distance from federal roads, railways, power plants, prisons and industrial sites
Never fly over crowds or assemblies of people

Commercial use: The Open category covers most low-risk commercial work. Riskier flights need an operational authorisation or a standard-scenario declaration in the Specific category.

Official airspace map

Registration & classes

Registration	Yes (from 250 g or camera) One operator registration (not per drone) for drones of 250 g or more, or any drone with a camera that isn't a toy. Valid in every EASA state.
Pilot test	Yes (online, from 250 g) EU A1/A3 online certificate. Online training + 40-question multiple-choice exam, valid 5 years. The A2 certificate (extra exam) allows C2 drones closer to people.
Remote ID	Some classes Direct Remote ID is required for C1, C2 and C3 class drones and in some geographical zones.
Insurance	Yes Liability insurance is mandatory for every drone, including toys (§ 43 LuftVG).
Foreign registration accepted	Depends EASA registrations and certificates are valid in every EASA state. Residents of non-EASA countries register in the first EASA state where they plan to fly.

Weight classes

Class	Weight	Rules
C0	< 250 g	Subcategory A1: may overfly uninvolved people (never crowds). No test; register if it has a camera.
C1	< 900 g	A1: avoid overflying people. A1/A3 certificate and Remote ID required.
C2	< 4 kg	A2: 30 m from people (5 m in low-speed mode) with the A2 certificate; otherwise A3.
C3 / C4	< 25 kg	A3 only: far from people and 150 m from residential, commercial and industrial areas.
No class mark	any	Under 250 g → A1. 250 g and more → A3 only (legacy transition ended 1 Jan 2024).

Import & export

ImportAllowed (with customs)

Customs dutyVaries

VAT / sales tax19 %

Radio certificationNo

Personal luggage from outside the EU: goods up to €430 (air travel) are duty-free. Drones bought abroad above that pay import VAT.
CE marking required for sale; personal imports of non-CE radio gear can be refused.
Batteries: Carry-on only. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100–160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares).
No customs within the EU. The duty rate on drones from outside the EU depends on the tariff code; check the TARIC database.

Export

EU dual-use regulation applies to professional drones with long range or high payload.

Costs

Operator registration	20 EUR Validity: 5 years
EU A1/A3 online certificate	25 EUR
Import taxes	? % duty + 19 % VAT Usually only for drones you buy abroad and bring in to keep.

Guides

Start flying in Germany Residents

Get liability insurance
Required for every drone. Check whether your private liability policy covers drones; many don't.
Register with the LBA
Register as an operator (€20) and receive your e-ID. Open
Pass the A1/A3 test
Online training and exam on the LBA portal (€25 certificate fee). Open
Label your drone
Put the e-ID on the drone and set it in the app for Remote ID.
Check the dipul map
Official German map of geographical zones. Open

Sources

EASA – Civil drones (Open category) · accessed 23 Sept 2026
LBA – FAQ on the EU certificate of competency · accessed 23 Sept 2026
LBA – Drones FAQ overview · accessed 23 Sept 2026

How the score is built

Fly score 65

Operator registration−10
Pilot test (online)−10
Remote ID−4
Mandatory insurance−6
Visitors must register locally−5

Import score 86

Duty + VAT ≈ 24 %−14

Every score starts at 100 and loses points for each requirement. How scoring works