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European drone regulations

Official civil aviation authorities info, official geozone airspace maps and cross-border EASA operations across Europe.

Netherlands • Home Base

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, airspace is governed by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) and Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL).

Official Authority ILT (Civil Aviation Inspectorate)

Official Airspace Map GoDrone (LVNL)

View drone map Netherlands

Permit check GoDrone map

EASA Member State

Belgium

Belgian airspace is regulated by the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA / DGLV) and air navigation service provider Skeyes.

Official Authority BCAA / DGLV (FPS Mobility)

Official Airspace Map Droneguide (Skeyes)

View rules & map

Permit check Droneguide map

EASA Member State

France

The French Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) enforces strict rules for flights over urban areas (Scénarios Nationaux & EASA STS).

Official Authority DGAC (Ministère des Transports)

Official Airspace Map Géoportail Drones (IGN / SIA)

View rules & map

Permit check Géoportail map

EASA Member State

Germany

In Germany, the Federal Aviation Authority (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt - LBA) regulates drones, with the digital dipul platform providing official geozones.

Official Authority LBA (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt)

Official Airspace Map dipul Geoportal (BMDV)

View rules & map

Permit check dipul map

EASA Member State

Spain

The Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA) and air traffic manager ENAIRE govern Spanish airspace and flight authorizations.

Official Authority AESA (Aviation Safety Agency)

Official Airspace Map ENAIRE Drones

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Permit check ENAIRE map

EASA Member State

Italy

The National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) oversees operations, with D-Flight as the mandatory registration and airspace geozone portal.

Official Authority ENAC (Civil Aviation Authority)

Official Airspace Map D-Flight Portal

View rules & map

Permit check D-Flight map

Special Track Record

Monaco

The Principality of Monaco enforces strict airspace governance under the DAC. Drone Department holds a proven track record during events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Official Authority DAC Monaco (Civil Aviation)

Regulation Direct Ministerial Authorizations

View rules & map

Permit check View F1 Monaco

EASA Member State

Austria

Austro Control regulates Austrian airspace, featuring the dedicated Dronespace platform for rapid flight clearances in alpine and urban terrain.

Official Authority Austro Control

Official Airspace Map Dronespace.at

View rules & map

Permit check Dronespace map

EASA Aligned State

Switzerland

The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA / BAZL) operates under European EASA drone standards with official Swisstopo geodata.

Official Authority BAZL / FOCA

Official Airspace Map Swisstopo Drone Map

View rules & map

Permit check Swisstopo map

EASA Member State

Portugal

The National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) and the DNT GeoPortal regulate all drone flights and commercial aerial filming in Portugal.

Official Authority ANAC Portugal

Official Airspace Map GeoPortal DNT

View rules & map

Permit check GeoPortal map

EASA Member State

Norway

The Civil Aviation Authority Norway (Luftfartstilsynet) provides real-time NOTAM and CTR information via Ninox Drone / Safetofly.

Official Authority Luftfartstilsynet (CAA Norway)

Official Airspace Map Safetofly.no / Ninox Drone

View rules & map

Permit check Safetofly map

EASA Member State

Sweden

In Sweden, Transportstyrelsen is the governing body, with LFV Drönarkartan providing official airspace maps for no-fly zones and R-areas.

Official Authority Transportstyrelsen

Official Airspace Map LFV Drönarkartan

View rules & map

Permit check LFV map

EASA Specific Operator License

Why Drone Department is licensed to fly in no-fly zones

UAS Operator ID: NLDoyhg6yl91zgtj Active & Certified

Standard drone pilots operate in the Open category and are legally prohibited from flying in controlled CTR airspace, congested urban centers or port security zones. Drone Department holds an official EASA Specific operational authorization, allowing us to execute complex aerial filming 100% legally across Europe.

2-Way Radio ATC Direct VHF link with Schiphol, Rotterdam & international towers

CTR & Port Clearances Legal operations in CTR 1, major ports and industrial hubs

Urban Areas & Cities Filming above Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Paris & European cities

Night Flights & 8K Cinema DJI Inspire 3 ProRes RAW & high-speed cinema FPV operations

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We arrange all required ATC clearances, NOTAM filings and risk assessments for your shoot quickly and seamlessly.

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Frequently asked questions about European drone regulations

Practical answers for international productions and commercial clients

Does Drone Department's EASA Specific license apply across all European countries?

Yes. Across all EASA member states (such as France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, etc.), our EASA Specific operational authorization can be applied directly via cross-border notification procedures (EASA Article 13) and Standard Scenarios (STS), ensuring international cinema productions face zero regulatory delays with local authorities.

What is the difference between Open and Specific categories under EASA in Europe?

The Open category (A1, A2, A3) carries strict EU-wide restrictions: 120m altitude limits, Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) only, no flights in CTRs or above uninvolved crowds, and weight caps. The Specific category allows Drone Department to operate high-end cinema drones (such as the DJI Inspire 3 8K and heavy-lift FPV rigs) legally in urban centers, ports, controlled airspace, and at night.

How does the EASA cross-border notification procedure work for international shoots?

As an EASA Specific operator, Drone Department submits an Article 13 cross-border notification to the civil aviation authority of the destination country (e.g. DGAC in France, AESA in Spain, LBA in Germany). Because our primary operator certificate is issued by the Dutch CAA (ILT) and complies with all EASA requirements, approval requires only a streamlined administrative review of local mitigation measures.

What regulations govern drone filming in Monaco, and how does this differ from EASA?

The Principality of Monaco is not an EU/EASA member state and governs its airspace independently under the Direction de l'Aviation Civile (DAC). Filming in Monaco requires direct ministerial exemptions and specialized safety protocols. Drone Department holds a proven track record in Monaco, including official productions during the Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Are Remote ID and C-class markings mandatory across Europe?

Yes. As of January 1, 2024, active Direct Remote ID broadcasts and C-class markings (C0 through C6) are mandatory across European airspace geozones. In the Specific category, Drone Department operates aircraft equipped with compliant Remote ID transmitters and redundant safety systems aligned with EASA SORA 2.5 standards.

How quickly can operational flight clearances be secured in another European country?

With our pre-approved EASA ConOps, Standard Scenarios (STS-01/STS-02), and PDRA risk frameworks, cross-border notifications can be processed efficiently across many EASA member states. However, exact processing times vary considerably depending on the destination country and civil aviation authority: while some authorities clear operations within a few business days, others require several weeks or even months. We always advise production teams to initiate international airspace applications as early as possible.

Which official airspace restriction maps must be consulted before flying in Europe?

Each EASA country maintains an official designated digital geozone portal (such as GoDrone in the Netherlands, Droneguide in Belgium, Géoportail in France, dipul in Germany, ENAIRE in Spain, and D-Flight in Italy). Drone Department verifies real-time NOTAMs and local restriction layers through these official platforms prior to every operation.