Can you fly your drone in Austria?

KEY RULES (EASA OPEN CATEGORY)

1. 01In the open category, the maximum height is 120 m, measured as the distance to the closest point on the Earth's surface — not simply straight down, so near a slope the ground beside you can also count. Within 50 m of a tall man-made obstacle (over 105 m), the maximum height may be increased up to 15 m above the height of the obstacle at the request of the entity responsible for the obstacle.
2. 02You must register as a drone operator if your drone weighs 250 g or more (or could transfer more than 80 J of kinetic energy on impact) — this also applies to toys. Below 250 g, registration is still required if the drone has a sensor capable of capturing personal data, unless it counts as a toy under the EU Toy Safety Directive. Pilot training/certificate requirements are regulated separately and depend on the drone's class and subcategory.
3. 03The A1/A3 proof of competency (free online course with a 40-question test) has a minimum age of 16; you can only register as an operator on your own from age 18. Younger pilots may only fly under the direct supervision of a certified remote pilot. The drone license (A1/A3 proof of competency) is valid for 5 years and must then be renewed — the first certificates issued in Austria from 2021 expire in 2026.
4. 04Mandatory liability insurance — at least 750,000 SDR in coverage
5. 05Vienna is within the restricted area LO R 15. Drones under 250 g may fly up to 30 m in height without a permit — but only if there is no aerodrome without an aerodrome zone within your flight area: in Vienna, these are ten heliports with a radius of about 1,500 m, where an operating permit from Austro Control GmbH for "restricted areas" is required during operating hours. From 250 g, a paid Austro Control permit is always required.
6. 06In the open category, you must keep the drone within your own line of sight, with the naked eye (glasses/contact lenses are fine; binoculars or a screen do not count) — or fly with the support of an observer, with clear and effective communication between you at all times so that you can jointly scan the airspace and avoid collisions. Follow-me mode is a separate exception, permitted up to 50 m from the pilot.
7. 07Do not fly over assemblies of people. Rules for uninvolved persons depend on subcategory, class mark and operating conditions; check the official matrix.
8. 08Observe the UAS geographical zones (§18b LVR) on the Dronespace map. Operating unmanned aircraft (UAS) within a certain radius of aerodromes without their own aerodrome zone is generally only permitted outside operating hours. Before the flight, drone operators must find out the aerodrome's current operating hours — either via aviation publications (e.g. AIP, NOTAM) or directly from the aerodrome operator or aerodrome management. During the aerodrome's operating hours, drone operations are only permitted under the following conditions: for recognized rescue and emergency organizations, health services or civil protection authorities, provided the operation falls within their statutory remit; with an operational authorization for the "specific" category under EU Regulation 2019/947, if the risk assessment covers operations near aerodromes; with an LUC (light UAS operator certificate) under EU Regulation 2019/947, if it permits operations in the vicinity of aerodromes; or with an authorization under Article 16 of EU Regulation 2019/947, provided all conditions and requirements are met.
9. 09UAS with a take-off mass under 250 g flown no higher than 30 m above ground are exempt from the consent requirement in control zones and from the permit requirement in restricted areas. In restricted areas, however, the exemption only applies if there is no aerodrome without an aerodrome zone within your flight area.
10. 10Night flights in the open category are permitted with a flashing green light (EASA since 2022) — check specific zones on Dronespace.at
11. 11National parks and nature reserves: additional restrictions apply

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