Can you fly your drone in Austria?
Whether you can fly depends on your drone, your registration and exactly where you fly. Here is what applies: key rules, no-fly zones and the official sources, in one place.
Regulator
Austro Control
Framework
EU 2019/947 (EASA Open Category) + national enforcement framework
Pilot credential
Drone License
Mapped zones
238
KEY RULES (EASA OPEN CATEGORY)
- A maximum of 120 m above ground level (EASA Open category)
- Register as a UAS operator (€46.80, valid for 3 years) if the drone weighs 250 g or more or is equipped with a camera
- A1/A3 online training required — minimum age 16
- Mandatory liability insurance — at least 750,000 SDR in coverage
- Vienna is located within the LO R 15 flight restriction zone: Flights are permitted only with a paid permit from Austro Control—except for drones weighing less than 250 g flying at a maximum altitude of 30 m above ground level.
- Always maintain visual line of sight (VLOS) with the drone
- Do not fly over assemblies of people. Rules for uninvolved persons depend on subcategory, class mark and operating conditions; check the official matrix.
- Please note the geographic UAS areas (§ 18b LVR) on the Dronespace map—at airfields without an airfield zone, flying within the protection radius is permitted only outside of operating hours; airfield zones require a permit.
- Night flights in the Open category are permitted with a flashing green light (EASA since 2022) — check specific zones on Dronespace.at
- National Parks and Nature Reserves: Additional Restrictions Apply
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence or certificate to fly a drone in Austria?
Two separate things are easily confused here. Registration as a drone operator is required as soon as your drone weighs 250 g or more, or has a camera or sensor able to capture personal data — so it covers many sub-250 g drones too, unless they qualify for the toy exemption. The Drone License competency certificate is something else: you need it once your drone weighs 250 g or more, or carries a C1 or higher class mark. A camera drone under 250 g therefore needs registration, but no exam. You get the certificate by passing an online theory test with Austro Control, and it is then valid across the whole EASA area, not just here.
Can I fly a drone as a tourist or foreign visitor in Austria?
Yes — EU drone rules apply to visitors too. If you are already registered as a drone operator in another EASA country, that registration and your A1/A3 certificate (also A2) are valid in Austria as well. Coming from outside the EASA area, you register once — in the first EASA country where you plan to fly, here with Austro Control. Austria additionally requires drone liability insurance with at least 750,000 SDR of cover. Make sure your home policy, or a travel drone policy, explicitly covers flights in Austria before you go.
What are the most important drone rules in Austria?
The short version: A maximum of 120 m above ground level (EASA Open category). On top of that: Register as a UAS operator (€46.80, valid for 3 years) if the drone weighs 250 g or more or is equipped with a camera. Also: A1/A3 online training required — minimum age 16. These are central aviation rules — location-specific airspace, land, nature, privacy and photography requirements can also apply in Austria, so always check the official sources.
Where am I not allowed to fly a drone in Austria?
The no-go areas are the restricted zones — typically around airports, prisons, military sites and protected nature. In Austria you can see every zone on the interactive map on this page, and in the DroneKoll app wherever you are standing.
Who regulates drone flying in Austria?
Drone flying in Austria is regulated by Austro Control, which handles both the rules and the airspace. Their official pages are linked under Sources below — that is where changes appear first.
Good to know
OFFICIAL SOURCES
- Austro Control — Drone Regulations Official drone regulations and resources from Austrian Air Traffic Control dronespace.at
- Austro Control — Register as an operator Register as a UAS operator (€46.80, valid for 3 years, valid in all EU/EASA countries) dronespace.at
- Dronespace.at — Airspace Map Official interactive map showing drone zones and airspace restrictions dronespace.at
- Austro Control — Training and Exams Information on A1/A3 and A2 Training Courses and Exams dronespace.at
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Always check the official sources from Austro Control and Dronespace.at before every flight. This app is a tool—not a legal source. Austria follows EASA regulations with national additions.
The app
The whole picture, up to date — in your pocket
DroneKoll shows no-fly zones, weather and NOTAMs on one interactive map — with flight log and checklists built in.
More in the app: Interactive zone map · Flight log · Planning & measuring · Pre-flight checklists
