Flying Drones in Germany: What Every Pilot Must Know (OPEN A1/A3, FPV, national specifics)

Are you looking for a clear and understandable overview of flying drones in Germany?

This article is based on the PDF guide from the DronDelivery.eu project. The link leads to a separate online shop on a different web address, which is dedicated exclusively to the distribution of thematic PDF guides.

👉 www.drondelivery.eu

Flying Drones in Germany: What Every Pilot Must Know
(OPEN A1/A3, FPV, national specifics)

Official, neutral, and non-binding overview · Not a legal document · No official authority interpretation

Germany is one of the most visited countries in Europe – and at the same time, one of the states where drone operations must be planned with particular care.

Whether in Bavaria, Berlin, Hamburg, Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, or in the Alpine regions near the borders with Austria and Switzerland: The combination of dense population, strict nature protection requirements, and extensive infrastructure makes flying more complex than it may appear at first glance.

This article provides a practice-oriented overview of flying drones in Germany within the OPEN A1 and OPEN A3 categories, including FPV operations.

It is based on the PDF guide “Drones OPEN A1/A3 – Germany” from the DronDelivery.eu project, a parallel knowledge project of FPVVIDEO.cz.

DronDelivery is not a delivery service platform, but a project dedicated to providing clear and understandable information for drone pilots in Europe.

⚠️ Important Legal Notice

This text:

• is not a law,
• is not legal advice,
• is not an official interpretation of German regulations,
• cannot be used as a legal basis.

Each pilot bears full responsibility for their flight, their preparation, and the verification of current official rules, geographical zones, and restrictions.

All information must be verified before every flight via official sources.

🇩🇪 Why Germany Is Special for Drone Pilots

• high population density,
• extensively protected natural areas,
• large amounts of critical infrastructure,
• strict data protection and privacy laws,
• and very consistent enforcement of regulations.

What may be easily permitted in other EU states can be prohibited or heavily restricted in Germany – even if it would theoretically be allowed under EASA rules.

Germany does not assess intent, but risk.

Would you like to have all rules for Germany clearly structured in a single document?

The complete PDF guide “Drones OPEN A1/A3 – Germany” is available via a separate online shop:

👉 www.drondelivery.eu

This website is not part of this blog and serves exclusively for the distribution of thematic PDF guides.

❓ Which Questions Should a Drone Pilot Ask in Germany?

(Neutral, informative, without legal responsibility)

Germany is a country where drone operations depend heavily on the specific location, the actual use of the area, and the national interpretation of risk.

For this reason, it is advisable to ask certain questions before every flight – regardless of whether you are operating a mini drone, an FPV setup, or a classic camera system.

These questions do not replace official information, but merely help to structure one’s own decision-making.

❓ 1. Is the location really as “empty” as it appears?

• Is the area typically used by pedestrians?
• Are there hiking trails, cycling paths, or tourist routes?
• Could people appear suddenly, even if no one is present at the moment?
• Is the area marked as protected in DIPUL?

In Germany, it is not the current moment that matters, but the typical use of the location.

❓ 2. Am I near infrastructure?

• Are there railways, roads, bridges, industrial facilities, or energy installations?
• Is the area possibly part of an infrastructure protection zone?
• Could a low-altitude flight be classified as a risk, even if “nothing is happening right now”?

Germany evaluates infrastructure very strictly, regardless of flight altitude.

❓ 3. Is the area part of a nature or landscape protection zone?

• Is the location within a nature reserve, landscape protection area, or wildlife protection zone?
• Is the area color-coded in DIPUL?
• Could the flight disturb animals, even if they are not visible?

Many of these zones are subject to blanket prohibitions, regardless of drone weight.

❓ 4. Is my drone type appropriate for the environment?

• Is it an FPV drone with a higher risk profile?
• Am I flying a legacy drone without C-class identification?
• Am I operating in A1 or A3 – and is that realistic at this location?
• Do I have a spotter when flying FPV?

The OPEN category is a risk-based concept, not a blanket permission.

❓ 5. Do I have altitude under control in relation to the terrain?

• Does the terrain change rapidly (hills, valleys, slopes)?
• Could a flight along a slope unintentionally exceed 120 m AGL?
• Is visibility sufficient to realistically assess altitude?

In Germany, AGL altitude is interpreted strictly, especially in hilly regions.

❓ 6. Is the flight responsible in this environment?

• Could the flight be perceived as disturbing?
• Could I abort the flight safely at any time?
• Is the environment predictable enough for FPV or fast maneuvers?
• Would I consider the same flight responsible if viewed from an external perspective?

Germany does not assess intent, but the possible outcome.

❓ 7. Have I checked DIPUL – really checked it?

• Did I open the exact point, not just the surrounding area?
• Did I verify altitude restrictions?
• Did I take temporary restrictions into account?
• Do I understand whether authorization would be required?

DIPUL is mandatory, not a recommendation.

❓ 8. Is the flight necessary in this situation?

• Could I capture the same shot more safely at another location?
• Is the location too complex, too busy, or too sensitive?
• Is the flight planned “just for a short moment” – and is that truly a valid argument?

In Germany, it often applies:
If you are in doubt, the doubt itself is a warning signal.

❓ 9. Have I verified all official information?

• Is my knowledge up to date?
• Have I understood the national specifics?
• Have I not relied solely on apps or forums?
• Have I checked whether rules have changed since my last flight?

This article is not an official legal framework.
All information must be confirmed via official sources.

❓ 10. Am I prepared to bear full responsibility?

• Am I aware that responsibility is not transferable?
• Am I prepared to stand by every decision?
• Do I have valid insurance, if required?
• Am I confident that I could explain the flight in a serious situation?

Germany places great emphasis on formal and practical responsibility.

Would you like to have all key decision-making criteria for flying drones in Germany in one place?

This section is based on the PDF guide from the DronDelivery.eu project. The link leads to a separate online shop on a different web address, which serves exclusively for the provision of thematic PDF guides.

👉 www.drondelivery.eu

🧩 Final Considerations: Which Questions Remain Open Before Every Flight in Germany?

(Neutral, informative, without legal responsibility)

Germany is a country where drone flights depend heavily on the specific location, the actual use of the terrain, and the national interpretation of risk.

Even after thorough preparation, questions remain before every take-off that each pilot should ask themselves – regardless of experience, drone type, or flight style.

These questions do not replace official information; they merely serve to structure one’s own thinking.

The responsibility always lies with the pilot.

❓ 1. Have I truly understood all relevant information?

• Are the rules clear enough to make a safe decision?
• Have I taken Germany’s national specifics into account?
• Have I interpreted DIPUL correctly?
• Do I understand that apps and maps do not display all restrictions?

❓ 2. Is the planned flight compatible with my drone type?

• Does my flight style fit the environment?
• Is FPV realistically justifiable at this location?
• Is A1 or A3 meaningful at this location?
• Could my flight be perceived as risky or disturbing?

❓ 3. Could the flight have unintended consequences?

• Could I surprise or endanger people?
• Could I disturb animals, even if I do not see them?
• Could I affect infrastructure, even if I am flying far away?
• Could the flight trigger conflicts with residents or tourists?

❓ 4. Have I considered alternatives?

• Is there a safer location with similar conditions?
• Could I postpone the flight to another time?
• Could I adjust altitude or flight path?
• Could I refrain from certain maneuvers?

❓ 5. Am I prepared to explain the flight in a serious situation?

• Could I justify why I am flying at this location?
• Could I explain how I minimized risks?
• Could I demonstrate that I checked DIPUL?
• Could I show that I acted responsibly?

Germany places great importance on traceability and responsibility.

❓ 6. Have I accepted that “not flying” is sometimes the best decision?

• Is the location too complex?
• Is the environment too busy?
• Is the risk difficult to assess?
• Is the benefit of the flight low compared to the potential risk?

In Germany, it often applies:
If you hesitate, the hesitation itself is an indicator.

🧭 Why Structured Information Makes Sense for Germany

Germany is a country with:

• strict nature protection requirements,
• extensive infrastructure,
• high population density,
• complex urban environments,
• and very consistent enforcement of regulations.

For this reason, pilots in Germany often face more questions than in other countries.

And this is exactly why projects like DronDelivery.eu exist – a parallel knowledge project of FPVVIDEO.cz, which does not deliver parcels, but information.

DronDelivery.eu:

• is not a delivery service platform,
• is not an official legal framework,
• is not a substitute for official authority sources,
• but a project that helps pilots ask questions before problems arise.

🛡️ Final Legal Notice

This article:

• is not a law,
• is not legal advice,
• is not an official interpretation of German regulations,
• cannot be used as a legal basis.

Every pilot is required to:

• check current rules,
• verify DIPUL,
• assess the environment realistically,
• and act responsibly.

The responsibility always lies with the pilot.

🎯 Final Thought

Germany is a fascinating country for aerial imagery – from coastlines and forests to historic cities.

However, this very diversity makes flying demanding.

Anyone flying in Germany should not only ask:
“Am I allowed to fly here?”
but also:
“Is it sensible, responsible, and safe to fly here?”

The answers to these questions do not arise from a single document, but from knowledge, preparation, and sound judgment.

Would you like to have all these considerations and rules clearly structured in a single document?

The complete PDF guide “Drones OPEN A1/A3 – Germany” is available via a separate online shop:

👉 www.drondelivery.eu

This website is not part of this blog and serves exclusively for the provision of thematic PDF guides.

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