Drone Rules 2026: The Comprehensive Guide for the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria
Drone Rules 2026: The Comprehensive Guide for the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria
Legal notice: This text is provided solely as an informational overview and does not constitute legal advice. Operating a drone involves a high level of personal responsibility on the part of the pilot as the aircraft commander. Before every take-off, it is your legal obligation to verify the current status of the airspace in official national applications and to comply with the applicable EASA framework as well as national regulations.
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👉 Open DronDelivery.eu (PDF Guides)Flying a drone in 2026 is no longer primarily about the pilot’s technical skill, but above all about the ability to navigate a complex digital airspace with precision. Even though the European Union has introduced a unified EASA regulatory framework for the OPEN A1 and A3 subcategories, the reality in the field changes dramatically the moment you cross a national border with your drone. National specifics in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria differ to such an extent that a lack of detail can lead to immediate seizure of equipment or financially devastating fines.
This article serves as an authoritative comparison for owners of camera drones from the DJI Mini, Air, and Mavic product lines, pilots of custom-built FPV drones, and owners of older aircraft without a class identification label, i.e., so-called Legacy drones.
1. Official national sources: The first step of every legal flight
One of the most widespread—and most dangerous—myths in the drone community is relying on maps in manufacturers’ applications (e.g., DJI Fly). These maps are not legally binding and often do not include critical temporary restrictions or specific national nature-protection zones. As the commander of an unmanned aircraft, you have a legal obligation to perform pre-flight preparation using official national tools.
Czech Republic: DroneMap.gov.cz
In the Czech Republic, the only binding source is the DroneMap.gov.cz portal, operated by Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic (ANS CR / ŘLP).
In 2026, this system integrates not only static zones (airports, prisons, power plants), but also dynamic restrictions (NOTAMs) and coordination within U-Space in densely populated areas.
What to monitor: Red zones (prohibited), yellow zones (altitude limits and/or coordination required), and blue zones (temporary restrictions).
Important: In the Czech Republic, strict rules apply around government buildings and Prague Castle, and these are clearly marked in DroneMap.gov.cz.
Germany: Federal DIPUL portal
Germany has consolidated unmanned aviation information under DIPUL.de (Digital Platform for Unmanned Aviation).
German airspace is among the busiest in Europe, and DIPUL is the only place where you can see the combination of airspace zones and specific German prohibitions, such as privacy protection in residential areas or military corridors.
Austria: Dronespace.at
Austria uses the Dronespace system, administered by Austro Control.
It is available as a web application and as a mobile tool.
Austrian authorities require pilots to monitor zones in Dronespace in real time.
In Austria, any flight near airports or in national parks without prior authorization indicated in this application is penalized without leniency.
If you want all of this as a quick checklist (A1/A3 + FPV), open DronDelivery.eu. After clicking, the project will open in a new window.
👉 DronDelivery.eu (PDF)2. Drone insurance: Where the hobby ends and legal risk begins
Liability insurance for damage caused by drone operations is treated far more strictly abroad in 2026 than domestically. While in the Czech Republic it is still often viewed more as a recommendation within the OPEN category, in neighboring countries it is a "ticket" to the sky.
Germany: Here, liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) is mandatory for all drones. It does not matter whether your drone weighs 249 g or 10 kg. During spot checks in tourist areas (e.g., the Bavarian Alps), German police require an insurance certificate that explicitly covers unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
Austria: Austria’s aviation law (Luftfahrtgesetz – LFG) is even more specific. It requires coverage limits expressed in SDR units (Special Drawing Rights). Standard household “general liability” policies are not sufficient here. If you fly in Austria without dedicated aviation liability insurance, you expose yourself to the risk of fines that start at hundreds of euros even if no damage is caused.
Czech Republic: The obligation applies to commercial operations and the SPECIFIC category. For the OPEN category (hobby), insurance is not strictly mandated by law, but from the perspective of liability for personal injury or property damage, it is considered an essential standard for every responsible pilot.
3. National specifics: Why EASA rules are not sufficient in practice
EASA has unified definitions of classes and categories (A1, A2, A3), but it has left Member States the right to define their own geographical zones. This is where most pilots make mistakes.
Germany: Infrastructure protection and LuftVO
Germany’s operating regulation (LuftVO) contains strict restrictions around infrastructure:
100-meter separation: You must maintain at least a 100 m horizontal distance from motorways, federal roads, railways, and waterways.
Residential areas: Flying over private property with a camera-equipped drone is prohibited without the explicit consent of the owner. In practice, this largely rules out flying in German cities.
Government facilities: Separation distances from government administration buildings, embassies, and consulates are monitored in Germany using detection systems.
Austria: Mountains, lakes, and the A3 trap
In Austria, the greatest risk is the definition of “places with a likely presence of persons.”
Tourist destinations: Even if you are standing alone on an alpine meadow, the proximity of a cable car, a viewing platform, or a mountain hut in operation makes the area a place where you are not operating legally in subcategory A3 (due to the requirement to keep 150 m from people and buildings).
Nature protection: Austria protects its Alps very aggressively. Many valleys are in geographical zones with blanket flight prohibitions due to nesting of protected birds. You can find these zones in Dronespace.at, and ignoring them is the most common reason for high fines.
4. In-depth breakdown of technical classes (C labels vs. Legacy)
In 2026, the gap between drones with a class identification label and older aircraft without a label (Legacy drones) is substantial and directly affects where you are permitted to fly.
Class C0 (up to 249 g)
For example, DJI Mini 4 Pro. This class is the "most permissive". You may fly close to uninvolved persons (but not over assemblies of people). However, in Germany and Austria, operator registration and insurance obligations still apply.
Class C1 and C2 (up to 900 g / up to 4 kg)
For example, DJI Air 3 or Mavic 3 Pro. These drones require the A1/A3 pilot competency, and for C2 also the additional A2 competency. In 2026, these drones are mandatorily equipped with Remote ID, which broadcasts your location and registration number.
Legacy drones (no label, above 250 g)
If you own an older Mavic Pro, Phantom, or custom-built FPV drones, you are across the EU (and especially in strict Germany and Austria) effectively "confined" to the OPEN A3 subcategory.
No flight in built-up areas: You must fly at least 150 metres away from residential, recreational, commercial, and industrial zones. With such a drone, in 2026 you cannot legally photograph a castle in Austria or the historic city centre in the Czech Republic from close range.
5. FPV drones: Speed under scrutiny in 2026
FPV pilots form a specific community that authorities view with both respect and concern. Operations with goggles on (Goggles) have strict rules:
Visual observer (Spotter): In the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria, the rule applies without exception: if you fly using goggles, you must have a briefed person next to you who monitors the drone and surrounding traffic (including emergency-service helicopters) in direct visual contact (VLOS). Without a spotter, the flight is unlawful in the OPEN category.
Custom-built aircraft and A3: Most custom-built 5" drones do not have a class identification label. This means they fall into subcategory A3. Flying in parks or between buildings ("bando") is, in this subcategory, practically impossible in Austria and Germany without the risk of conflict with the police.
FPV pilots—important!
Our PDF guides on DronDelivery.eu include a dedicated bonus chapter on how to operate FPV drones legally in these countries and how to avoid specific pitfalls. By clicking, you will open the DronDelivery.eu project in a new window.
👉 Get the PDF with the FPV bonus chapter on DronDelivery.eu6. Air travel and battery handling (LiPo)
In 2026, rules for transporting Li-Polymer batteries are stricter than ever. As a drone operator travelling by air to Germany or Austria, you must comply with:
Carry-on luggage only: Batteries must not be placed in checked baggage. In the event of a fire in the cargo hold, they cannot be extinguished.
State of charge (SoC): Regulations require batteries to be charged to a maximum of 30%.
Contact protection: Each battery must have its contacts taped over or be kept in its original packaging to prevent short circuits. We recommend using LiPo Safe Bags.
7. Inspections, penalties, and detection technologies
Police in Germany and Austria are equipped with technologies such as Aeroscope or national remote identification systems. These devices capture the signal between the controller and the drone and immediately show the police:
The drone’s position and current altitude.
The pilot’s position (where you are standing with the controller).
The drone’s serial number and the operator’s registration number (e-ID).
Penalties in 2026:
Austria: A fine for flying in a protected area or without insurance starts at EUR 500; for serious violations (endangering a helicopter) it can reach up to EUR 22,000.
Germany: Exceeding the 120 m altitude limit or breaching the 100 m separation from a motorway is handled in administrative proceedings, with fines typically ranging from hundreds to thousands of euros.
Czech Republic: The CAA (ÚCL) often addresses offences based on videos from YouTube or Instagram, where pilots themselves provide evidence of rule violations (e.g., flying over people or in clouds).
8. FAQ: The most common pilot questions (SEO Power)
Can I fly a drone at night?
In the Czech Republic and Austria, yes—provided the drone is equipped with a green flashing light that is independently visible from the ground and enables orientation of the drone. In Germany, the rules are similar, but always verify the current geographical zones in DIPUL to confirm whether any night restriction applies (e.g., due to bird protection).
Do I have to display my registration number on the drone?
Yes. Your operator registration number (e-ID) must be visibly affixed to the drone. Registration in one EASA Member State (e.g., with the CAA in the Czech Republic) is valid across the entire Union, including Germany and Austria.
What about privacy protection?
EASA rules address flight safety. Privacy is regulated nationally. In Germany, filming people on their property without consent is not permissible. If your drone carries a camera, you are, from a legal perspective, a “processor of personal data” and you must comply with the GDPR.
What if I do not have a certified drone (Legacy)?
You fall under subcategory A3. You must fly at least 150 metres away from buildings and people. In practice, this means you cannot take close-up aerial photos of Austrian castles or Czech landmarks legally.
9. Why have the DronDelivery PDF guide with you?
The internet is full of fragmented information that is often outdated or contradictory. The DronDelivery.eu project was created to give pilots peace of mind and certainty. Our PDF manuals are not a tedious rewrite of legal provisions, but a practical guide for real-world conditions.
What you will find in the PDF that you will not find on the internet:
Model scenarios: "Can I fly at this viewpoint in the Alps?" – Our YES/NO examples provide a clear answer.
Communication templates: What to say during an inspection abroad so it remains calm, even if you do not speak German.
Updates: The drone world changes quickly in 2026. Our materials are always up to date.
Investing in high-quality information is a fraction of the cost of a potential fine. Instead of hours of searching, you have everything in one place on your phone.
By clicking the button, you will open the DronDelivery.eu project in a new window.
👉 View the PDF guide offer for the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria on DronDelivery.eu10. Quick checklist before every take-off
Registration: Is the e-ID on the drone, and do I have my pilot competency certificate with me?
Insurance: Do I have valid proof that meets the limits for the given country (especially Austria)?
Official map: Have I checked DroneMap.gov.cz, DIPUL, or Dronespace?
Flight subcategory: Do I know whether I am flying in A1 or A3, and what my separation distances are?
Spotter: Do I have a visual observer next to me if I am flying FPV?
Conclusion: Flying in 2026 is about awareness and respect
Drones give us an incredible freedom to see the world from a new perspective. This freedom is directly proportional to our responsibility. The difference between a great shot and seized equipment lies in the quality of your pre-flight preparation. Fly informed, legally, and with respect for the official maps DroneMap.gov.cz, DIPUL, and Dronespace.
With our guides on DronDelivery.eu, you will have confidence that your wings will remain where they belong—in the air.
This article is part of the educational series of FPVVIDEO.cz and DronDelivery.eu. Distribution without the author’s consent is not permitted.
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