Sweden SE
EU baseline plus Swedish extras: a paid annual operator registration, camera-surveillance/privacy duties when people are identifiable in footage, and a free Lantmäteriet dissemination permit required before publishing any aerial photos or video of Swedish territory.
Your plan
Choose your home country (top right) to see steps tailored to you.
1 thing to sort out before you fly
- Register your drone in Sweden
Required from 250 g, above 80 J impact energy, or with a camera/personal-data sensor in most cases. Registration is via Transportstyrelsen's Drönarsidan e-service. Fee: 190 SEK (One-time registration fee, plus a recurring 250 SEK (approx. €22) annual maintenance fee (registerhållningsavgift).). 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.
- Bringing your drone in
Personal luggage from outside the EU: goods up to €430 (air/sea travel) or €300 (land travel) are duty- and VAT-free. Above that, customs duty (tariff-code dependent) and 25% VAT apply. 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 · Never fly over crowds or assemblies of people · If people are identifiable in your footage, the Camera Surveillance Act (Kamerabevakningslagen) and GDPR apply: you become responsible for that personal data, must be able to inform people about the filming, and must provide contact details on request
Flying
- Max 120 m above ground, always in visual line of sight
- Never fly over crowds or assemblies of people
- If people are identifiable in your footage, the Camera Surveillance Act (Kamerabevakningslagen) and GDPR apply: you become responsible for that personal data, must be able to inform people about the filming, and must provide contact details on request
- Before publishing, selling or otherwise disseminating any aerial photo, video or other recording of Swedish land territory, you need a free dissemination permit from Lantmäteriet (or from the Swedish Maritime Administration for footage over sea) — apply well ahead, as processing can take around 45 working days
- Class-marked (C1/C2/C3) drones need a flashing green light at night
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.
Registration & classes
| Registration | Yes (from 250 g or camera) Required from 250 g, above 80 J impact energy, or with a camera/personal-data sensor in most cases. Registration is via Transportstyrelsen's Drönarsidan e-service. |
|---|---|
| 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 | Depends Not required under EU Regulation (EC) 785/2004 for leisure, display or recreational flights with a drone under 20 kg. Required for commercial use and for Specific/Certified category operations. |
| 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
- Personal luggage from outside the EU: goods up to €430 (air/sea travel) or €300 (land travel) are duty- and VAT-free. Above that, customs duty (tariff-code dependent) and 25% VAT apply.
- CE marking is required for sale in Sweden/EU; personal imports of non-CE radio equipment can be seized at customs.
- 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 (HS) code.
Export
- EU dual-use regulation applies to professional drones with long range or high payload.
Costs
| Operator registration | 190 SEK (≈ €17) · One-time registration fee, plus a recurring 250 SEK (approx. €22) annual maintenance fee (registerhållningsavgift). Validity: Ongoing, subject to the 250 SEK annual maintenance fee |
|---|---|
| EU A1/A3 online certificate | Unknown |
| Import taxes | ? % duty + 25 % VAT Usually only for drones you buy abroad and bring in to keep. |
Guides
Start flying in Sweden Residents
- Register as an operator
Pay the 190 SEK registration fee plus the 250 SEK/year maintenance fee via Drönarsidan. Open
- Pass the A1/A3 test
Free online training and exam, valid across the EU for 5 years.
- Know your privacy duties
If people are identifiable in your footage, follow the Camera Surveillance Act and GDPR: be ready to explain the filming and give contact details.
- Apply for a dissemination permit before publishing
Free application via Lantmäteriet; allow around 45 working days before you plan to share or sell footage. Open
- Label your drone
Mark your operator e-ID on the drone.
Sources
- EASA – Civil drones (Open category) · accessed 23 Sept 2026
- Transportstyrelsen – Guide to UAS operations in Sweden · accessed 24 Sept 2026
- Lantmäteriet – Dissemination Permit · accessed 24 Sept 2026
How the score is built
- Operator registration−10
- Pilot test (online)−10
- Remote ID−4
- Mandatory insurance−3
- Visitors must register locally−5
- Duty + VAT ≈ 30 %−18
Every score starts at 100 and loses points for each requirement. How scoring works