If you own or plan to own a drone, you might want to get familiar with the current regulations. Even more if you plan to travel in another country. There are many drone brands and types but if you are looking for quality for most budgets, i would recommend DJI.
I have now used my drone in multiple countries and also scrolled through the web to find the proper information. To avoid that you guys loose/spend the same time i had to spend looking for infos, I’ll summarize it as good as possible here!
General rules, True for every country, Never fly without authorization:
- Never fly a drone with a radius of 5km from an airport
- More than 150 m above ground level within a control zone. – This will go down to 120m with new EU Regulations
- Don’t fly above a private property.
- Don’t fly close to a rescue or police intervention site.
- Above or within 100 m of a gathering of people.
- Without keeping a permanent visual contact with it.
- If its total weight in flight exceeds 30 kg.
- During the night.
Switzerland:
Find the updated official page here. In short below!
Switzerland is not that restricted so far. Respect above common rules and you are good. Some cities have restrictions and require an authorization. Please don’t fly if you don’t have any! For any flight please refer before to this webpage of the swiss federal office. If your drone weights more than 500 g you need a dedicated insurance for it! Your civil liability might already include it!
While drones bellow 250 g are tolerated close to airports, it is common sense not to fly there.
HOWEVER ! The new EU Rule will also restrict drones with weights equal to 250g or above!
Also avoid Natural protected areas. You can find more details here. I see a lot of people flying in natural protected habitats such as « Creux-du-van » in Neuchâtel and some others. While they are not all on the DJI map or the Swiss federal map, they usually have a clear sign « you are entering a natural protected habitat ». Think about this, animals are scared of the sound of drones. An Ibex climbing the steep walls of Creux-du-Van panics and falls. Is his death worth your picture? I guess not.
You can also register here to pass an online test that gives you a short certificate. is it legally useful? I don’t think so, but at least it checks if you know how to ready and if you went through the basic rules for Switzerland
You can also find general information about both Switzerland and Europe here.
Europe:
In Europe, you need a « License plate » on your drone. You can buy them online (i got mine here or here). You can find the regulations here. Also there are a few information on traveling abroad (EU and around) here.
While drone rules are kind of blurry and are being updated and uniformized throughout EU, always make sure to check the rules in the specific country you want to fly.
Youn can find the guidelines for some countries below (will be updated)
General EU laws require pilots to be registered!
Find the EU rules here and here!
If you are from Switzerland, the registration will come soon (check this webpage to be up to date)
For any country below, if you have questions – ask me directly!
Additional note to Italy: Print the regulation (A copy in italian and one in english). The cops might stop you and say it is not legal or ty to fine you. You can show the rules and support the fact that you are flying responsively.
Fyling a drone in Greece
Flight map can be found here. Make sure to fill the document and send that document to the indicated email at the top. Attach a screenshot form the map with the areas you are planning to fly at.
Flying in the USA:
If you are planning on flying in the USA you need to get a license.
you can get your license through the FAA.gov page. You will have to register as a recreational flyer and pay a fee of 5 $, valid for 5 years.
Please note, Do NOT fly in any national park or cities!
Flying in Caribbean islands
Bahamas: Flying a drone in Bahamas is technically authorized. However it requires an up-front registration and authorization. For this you need to contact the responsible (Gregory ;D) per Email or phone. Both work. you send your flight, holiday and drone information you get the authorization. Where it gets more complicated is to actually get your drone on the island. By boat you will have less troubles but by aircraft, good luck. To fill their pockets, the police will tax you 50% of the drone’s value or the drone itself. Money you are supposedly getting back when you leave the island. However, when you leave, the custom is closed and the internet is full of stories of people who left their drone or the money behind. When we arrived, our bags were checked and were were explicitly asked if we had a drone. Luckily, I didn’t take it. While being illegal (I even asked Gregory), you can’t really do anything against it.
Flying in the South America:
While the landscapes are extremely tempting and breathtaking, i be very careful with taking my drone along.
Many of these countries are extremely poor and taking your drone (fancy, high tech and expensive toy) might attract some attention. From what I saw and experienced during my trips, there is a high probability of ending up with an illegal entry fee into the country, a confiscation of the drone or other practices. While being not legal, there is not much you can do about it. Long story short – read many blogs of the country you are interested in before taking your done along!
Chile: Flying a drone in Chile is authorized. However, taking it along depends on the type of trip you are doing to do. All the nation parks and Patagonia in general is completely forbidden to drones. So if you plan to treck and visit some of these parks, you might as well leave it home.
Bolivia: Flying a drone requires it to be registered if above 250 g (that pretty much includes any drone from Mavic Mini and up). The country is simply beautiful and breathtaking. We really had a blast shooting pics there. Yet remember. while on tours and in the desert, it might be ok, respect cultureal, natural and religious places. Avoid crowded places and cities!
Planning on buying your own drone?
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Some informative webpages about Drone flying:
MavicPilots: A great forum, actif and very informatif with drone pilots all over the world!
UAV Coach: groups multiple countries and places with specific rules and regulations.
Drone Traveler: groups multiple countries and places with specific rules and regulations.
