Drone Rules in Germany: Where Are You Allowed to Fly?

Where can you fly a drone in Germany — and where can you not? This page explains the no-fly zones and restricted areas that matter, what the official DIPUL geozones mean, and how to check in about a minute whether the spot you have in mind is clear. The airspace check is free in the Hoverpoint app and in your browser.

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What geozones actually are

A geozone (UAS geographical zone) is an area in which drone operation is prohibited, restricted or tied to conditions. The legal basis is EU regulation 2019/947 together with § 21h of the German air traffic regulations (LuftVO). Germany’s geozones are published by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport on the digital platform for unmanned aviation, DIPUL — the one official drone map for Germany, and exactly the data Hoverpoint shows on its map.

One thing worth getting right: a geozone does not automatically mean a ban. Plenty of zones allow flight under conditions — with the operator’s consent, at a limited altitude, or after giving notice. Hoverpoint shows you the rule text belonging to each zone, so you know what actually applies.

The main no-fly zones for drones in Germany

  • Aerodromes and airports: without clearance, operation is prohibited within 1.5 km of an aerodrome, and larger airports add their extended approach and departure corridors. In the control zones (CTR) of the 15 DFS airports, a zone model has applied since 6 August 2026 (NfL 2026-1-3960): right at the airport you always need an individual clearance from air traffic control; further out, a general clearance allows flights only up to a fixed height – 25 m, 45 m or a value that depends on terrain and airport elevation, depending on the area – and only under the conditions of the NfL. Other control zones have their own rules.
  • Residential property: for drones over 250 g or with a camera, overflight requires the residents’ consent. Privacy takes precedence.
  • Nature reserves and national parks: closed in principle, with exceptions only by permission of the conservation authority. Many landscape protection areas have rules of their own as well.
  • Transport infrastructure: federal highways, railway installations and federal waterways may only be overflown with 100 m of lateral separation unless an exception applies.
  • Sensitive sites: industrial plants, power stations, hospitals, prisons, military installations, police and government sites, and the scene of any police or emergency operation — keep 100 m clear. Operational scenes always, whatever the map says.
  • Crowds: flying over an assembly of people is not permitted in the open category.
  • Maximum altitude: 120 m above ground in the open category, uniform across Europe. Higher needs an authorisation — Hoverpoint warns you before your plan crosses that line.

On top of that come temporary closures issued by NOTAM: large events, state visits, exercises, crane operations. None of that appears on a static drone map. Hoverpoint reads the NOTAMs for your position live, turns the cryptic aviation code into plain language and sorts them by distance. There is a separate guide on how to read a NOTAM.

Visiting Germany with a drone

If you registered as an operator anywhere in the EASA area — the EU plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland — that registration and your A1/A3 or A2 certificate are recognised in Germany; you do not register a second time. Coming from outside that area, you need to register in one EU state before you fly. And one rule catches visitors out regularly: Germany requires third-party liability insurance for every drone, regardless of weight. Carry the policy, ideally in English.

How to check before you take off

  1. Pick the spot on the map: type an address or coordinates, drop a pin or use your location — in the app or in the browser airspace check.
  2. Read the zones around it: Hoverpoint lists every DIPUL geozone near the point with its distance, type and rule text. Green means clear, orange means conditions apply, red means closed.
  3. Check NOTAMs and weather: temporary closures, wind, gusts, visibility and the Kp index — measured against the limits of the drone in your hangar.
  4. Mind the country’s rules: for flights outside Germany, Hoverpoint carries the drone rules for 140 countries — registration, insurance, altitude limits and the local quirks.
  5. Apply for permission where you need it: the permit assistant in the app helps you prepare applications for the responsible state aviation authority.

Drone map of Germany: app or browser

The full map with live airspace, camera footprint, sun position and mission planning is in the Hoverpoint app for Android and iOS. The airspace check, weather check, community spots and the country rulebook work without installing anything and without an account at web.hoverpoint.info. Every core feature is free.

Frequently asked questions about flying a drone in Germany

Where can I fly a drone in Germany?

Anywhere no geozone under § 21h LuftVO and no temporary NOTAM restriction stands in the way — in the open category up to 120 m above ground, within visual line of sight and away from crowds. The airspace check in Hoverpoint tells you whether your spot is clear, using the official DIPUL data.

What is DIPUL?

DIPUL is the digital platform for unmanned aviation run by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. It publishes the official UAS geozones for Germany as a map service. Hoverpoint pulls that data in live, so you see the same zones as on dipul.de, with the rule text, the distance and the weather alongside.

Can I fly in a nature reserve?

As a rule, no. Nature reserves and national parks are geozones in which drone operation is prohibited without permission from the responsible nature conservation authority. Landscape protection areas and Natura 2000 sites may have rules of their own — Hoverpoint shows them to you.

How far do I have to stay from an airport?

Without clearance, at least 1.5 km from any aerodrome, plus the extended approach and departure corridors at larger airports. In the control zones (CTR) of the DFS airports a zone model has applied since August 2026: individual clearance right at the airport, further out a general clearance only up to a fixed height (25 m, 45 m or depending on terrain and airport elevation). The Hoverpoint airspace check shows which zone and height apply at your take-off point; DIPUL and NfL 2026-1-3960 are binding. The exact boundaries are on the Hoverpoint map.

I am visiting from another country. Does my licence count?

If it was issued in the EASA area — the EU plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland — then yes: your operator registration and your A1/A3 or A2 certificate are recognised in Germany. If you are coming from outside that area, you have to register as an operator in one EU state before you fly. Note that Germany requires third-party liability insurance for every drone, whatever its weight.

Is the airspace check free?

Yes. The map, airspace check, NOTAMs, weather and the community spots are all free in the Hoverpoint app and in the browser. Hoverpoint Pro unlocks extras such as unlimited waypoint routes and the full camera assistant.

Try everything for free: Hoverpoint for Android and iOS, or straight in your browser at web.hoverpoint.info.

Note: this page reflects the situation as of September 2026 and is neither legal advice nor an official clearance. The regulations in force at the time of your flight are what count.