Drone no-fly zones in Germany.

Yes, if you register as a drone operator with the German Federal Aviation Office (LBA) – or with the first EU country where you fly –, hold the EU proof of competency A1/A3 for drones from 250 g, have liability insurance and follow the geographical zone rules shown on the map above.

No. In the EU, only an EU operator registration and EU pilot certificates are accepted. Register online with the LBA and take the A1/A3 online course before you travel; the registration then applies in all EU countries.

Not without permission. The sea canal and the Warnow are federal waterways: a lateral distance of 100 m applies and ships and shipping facilities must not be overflown. The cruise terminal, the pier and the ferries are therefore off limits for hobby pilots.

There is no official drone spot. Avoid the bathing beach during the season, the waterway, the Stoltera cliffs, residential property and the Rostock-Laage control zone. Check the exact spot on the map above, read the conditions for every zone on dipul and check the weather – the coast is often windy.

For drones with a take-off mass of 250 g or more and for class C1 drones, you need at least the EU proof of competency A1/A3 – an online course with a test at the German Federal Aviation Office (LBA). For subcategory A2 (class C2, closer to people), the EU remote pilot certificate A2 is also required. No proof is required for drones under 250 g or class C0 – but you still have to know the rules.

Yes, if your drone weighs 250 g or more or has a camera or other sensor able to capture personal data (toys excepted). You register online with the LBA as an operator and receive an e-ID. It must be clearly displayed on each of your drones and, for drones with remote identification (Remote ID), also entered into the drone.

The class label determines where and how close to people a drone may fly: C0 (under 250 g) and C1 (under 900 g) in subcategory A1, C2 (under 4 kg) in A2, C3 and C4 (under 25 kg) in A3. Since 1 January 2024, drones without a class label may only be operated in A1 (under 250 g) or A3 (250 g to 25 kg).

Yes. In Germany, every drone needs liability insurance – regardless of weight and purpose. Many private liability policies exclude drones or only cover light models, so check the terms. For commissioned flights, dedicated aviation liability insurance is customary.

Never over assemblies of people – this is excluded in the open category. Uninvolved persons may only be overflown with very light drones (class C0 or under 250 g), not deliberately with C1 drones. In A2, a distance of 30 m from uninvolved persons applies (5 m in low-speed mode); in A3, no uninvolved persons may be present in the flight area.

Depending on the subcategory, 30 m from uninvolved persons in A2 and 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas in A3. In addition, the geographical zones under Section 21h LuftVO apply, for example 100 m lateral distance from motorways, federal roads, railways and federal waterways as well as from hospitals, authorities and industrial sites, 1.5 km from airfields and 1,000 m from airports. The map above shows all zones.

In the open category, a maximum of 120 m above ground and always within direct line of sight. Flying higher or beyond line of sight requires an authorisation in the specific category. In control zones, the heights in the air traffic control clearance also apply.

Only under conditions: with the consent of the owners or occupants, with a drone up to 250 g without camera, microphone or radio recording, or at a height of at least 100 m – but then only for a legitimate purpose, with prior notice and not between 10 pm and 6 am.

Only with an air traffic control clearance. At the 15 airports where DFS provides aerodrome control, a general clearance for low flights in the outer part of the control zone has applied since 6 August 2026, with height limits graded by zone. In the inner part and above these limits, an individual clearance via the DFS portal is required. At military-controlled airfields such as Rostock-Laage, clearance must always be requested directly.

Not over the bathing beach during bathing hours. Rostock’s beach bylaw also requires a permit to take off and land on the beach, and flying is completely prohibited at the Stoltera cliffs. Outside bathing hours, overflying is permitted under aviation law – but the sea canal, pier and cruise terminal remain restricted because of the federal waterway.

Under EU law, it does not matter whether you fly privately or commercially – what counts is the risk. Flights within the open category need no operational authorisation. Anything beyond that – e.g. closer to people, with heavier drones or beyond line of sight – falls into the specific category and requires an authorisation from the LBA or a declaration for a standard scenario. Geographical zones may require additional consent.

Shortly after sunrise and before sunset, when the sun is between about −4° and +6° above the horizon. In Rostock, it lasts around an hour or longer depending on the season. The calculator above shows the exact times for any place and day – also as an event for your calendar.