š In this blog post weāll share all law links & known rules about recreational & commercial drone use in Denmark (Copenhagen). Give a š at the end of this post if you enjoyed it & feel free to ask any questions or share your experience in the Danish Drone Forum. Keep in mind that the content below is updated to the best of our knowledge & does not replace official sources & your research.
š” This article is also available in French.
Recreational vs Commercial drone use in Denmark
Denmark differentiates commercial & recreational drone uses. Both are subject to restrictions and code of conduct. Additionally, depending on the weight of your drone and where you want to fly your drone, different rules will apply.
ā In Denmark, drone regulation falls under the Danish Civil Administration (CAA), which is available in Danish & in English š They can be contacted anytime via:
Email: info@tbst.dk
Phone: (+45) 7221 8800
ā Denmark classifies drones by weight:
below 250 g (micro drone)
between 250 g & 25 kg (small drone)
over 25 kg (big drone)
Can I bring my drone to Denmark?
ā Currently, there doesn't seem to be any restrictions on bringing drones within Denmark as long as your import is considered as legitimate (generally one drone per person).
šØ Be aware of the airline you purchase to travel as some main ones will only accept your drone on-board if its batteries are detached & placed in a firecase during travel time. Most airlines will have a battery voltage limit based on the recommendation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can find more info about a specific airline here.
š” Smart! Get your drone batteries' firecase today and make sure you're complying with aviation safety rules.
Where can I fly my drone in Denmark?
ā A detailed drone flight map can be found for recreational drone use mainly. The map is organised in a 4 (main) color scheme to help drone owners to fly responsibly and safely within the country:
Red = restricted zone
Orange = controlled zone
Green = nature zone
Blue = security zone
The map also showcases Denmark's military operations & temporary restrictions should any apply on your day of flight (in Brown & Yellow respectively).
Drone Fly Map Denmark
š¦ For Nature reserves zones, a case by case permission might be needed & you would need to check directly with the local park or reserve authorities before flying your drone.
šØ You're not allowed to fly above campsites without permission.
ā You can report drone flights you believe aren't right to the local police station.
š” Smart! Pack some spare drone batteries, you never know how close is the next power plug overseas. Also make sure you have a travel adaptor for Denmark.
Recreational Drone use in Denmark
ā Before anything, to be eligible, you will need to be at least 16 years old; if younger, you will need an adult with you. To fly safely in the Danish sky, you will need to register your drone & undertake a little online test to prove your capacities:
To register your drone, click here (in Danish): you will be asked all info about your drone & your personal details. š² It will cost you about 3ā¬ - you will receive an identification number. *Note: if your drone weights less than 250 g & flies less than 50 km/h, you're exempt.
Once registered, you will need to undertake a short online test and answer basic questions about Danish airspace rules and regulation - start here.
Once completed, within the permitted zones, you will need to follow a few rules:
mark your drone with the provided information from your registration results.
fly at a maximum altitude of 100 m above the ground.
have a third party insurance for a minimum amount of about 1 Million ā¬.
fly a drone that weights less than 25 kg (for drones over 7 kg, you must be 16 yo+).
fly your drone always in sight & within daylight (nature areas exempt but you will need to alert local police force at least 24h ahead).
fly at least 5 km away from airports & 8 km from military airports. You must also give priority to all other categories of aircraft & if you see a plane or helicopter during your flight, land immediately your drone.
fly your drone away from people (50 m), offshore installations (including boats, 50 m), private (100 m) & public property/facilities (150 m), urban areas (150 m) & respect individuals' privacy.
fly away from urban areas (flight for 'fun' are not allowed there).
if flying within a permitted urban zone, police should be alerted by written 24h prior.
šØ Note, some rules differ based on if you fly within an urban space or not, you will find full legal document copies in 'Other Ressources' at the end of this research.
šæš¬ See a little video sum up to make think easier (time to get the popcorn out!)
What do I risk for flying a recreational drone illegally in Denmark?
šØ The amount & scope of the fine will depend on the nature & severity of your infraction. The judges will also evaluate if you intentionally committed the infraction and/or if you had any commercial purposes to do such. The Danish' authorities however explain that it might be a / or a combination of:
a financial fine
jail for up to 2 years
Commercial Drone use in Denmark
ā Before anything, to be eligible, you will need to be at least 18 years old.
Each pilot will need a license & to register their drone(s) towards relevant authorities. To register your drone, click here (šØ Different registration process than for recreational drone use): you will be asked all info about your drone & your personal & company's details.
ā Once obtained you will be able to fly above urban areas (up to 120 m) but have to alert police at least 24h prior your flight. You must respect all other rules for recreational drone use.
How to obtain my drone license for commercial use in Denmark?
ā Depending on your drone's weight, you will need a different kind of license (the heavier your drone, the more detailed is your test):
For drones up to 1.5 kg, you will need a license 1A
For drones up to 7 kg, you will need a license 1B
For drones up to 25 kg, you will need a license 2
Each license has 2 parts:
a theoretical training in a approved education building
a practical training in the same education building; you will need at least 15 flights of a total flight time of at least 5 hours outside built-up areas.
š² Consider a little over 1100ā¬ the total costs of your license & up to 3 days to complete.
What do I risk for flying a commercial drone illegally in Denmark?
šØ The amount & scope of the fine will depend on the nature & severity of your infraction. The judges will also evaluate if you intentionally committed the infraction and/or if you had any commercial purposes to do such. The Danish' authorities however explain that it might be a / or a combination of:
a financial fine
a criminal liability sentence
jail for up to 2 years
Once you got everything in order, you can start flying above Denmark's awesome landscapes & create videos like this one:
ā Please leave a comment when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone in Denmark! Have fun and safe flight! #denmark #danish #regulation #rule #rules #law #laws #legislation
š” You're a local, have a question or want to share a travel experience? Head to our Denmark Drone Forum.
Disclaimer: Although greatĀ care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information researched, we take no responsibility for any loss, harm or damage caused as a direct or indirect consequence of relying on this information. It is your responsibility to seek advice from qualified local & relevant authoritiesĀ for needed information about local drone regulations.
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