Authority for Business and Innovation
Apply for drone flight permit

To be allowed to fly a drone over certain geographical areas, you must apply for a permit.

Use Online-Service

Apply for permission to operate drones within geozones

Detailed description

Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles. Together with their remote control, they form a system called an "Unmanned Aircraft System" (UAS). If you want to fly a drone over UAS-designated geographical areas, you must apply for a permit.

A geographical UAS area is a part of the airspace defined by the relevant aviation authority in which the flying of drones is permitted, restricted, or prohibited.
This is intended to avoid risks for

public safety,
the protection of privacy and personal data or
the environment.

Nationally applicable geographical UAS areas include, for example:

Federal highways,
Federal waterways or
Residential properties.

Information

Important notes

Prerequisites

They have taken out adequate aviation liability insurance.
They possess the required proof of competence.
The planned operation and use of the airspace will not lead to
- Dangers to air traffic safety,
- Dangers to public safety and order,
- Data protection breaches,
- Violations of nature and environmental protection.

Documents required

Application for entry into a geographical UAS area
Proof of aviation liability insurance
if applicable:
- Certificate of competence A1/A3 or certificate of competence A2 (remote pilot certificate A2)
- Self-declaration of practical skills
- Site plan
- written consent of the property owner
- Order of the affected authorities, bodies or operators
- Release by German Air Traffic Control
- SORA risk assessment (SORA – Specific Operations Risk Assessment) with a detailed operational description (ConOps)
- Expert report on the suitability of the site and the affected airspace
- further assessments and expert opinions, for example in the areas of noise and nature conservation

Please note

There are no special considerations.

Deadlines

There is no deadline.

Procedure & Fees

Procedure

You submit an application and attach all the required documents.
The relevant authority will review your application.
If the decision is positive, you will receive a permit.

Processing time

The processing time depends on the individual case.

Fees

The fees are between 100.00 and 200.00 EUR.

Legal notes

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

Section 21i paragraph 1 of the Air Traffic Regulations (LuftVO)

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/luftvo_2015/__21i.html

Section 21h paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Air Traffic Regulations (LuftVO)

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/luftvo_2015/__21h.html

Article 15 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 of 24 May 2019 on the rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX%3A32019R0947&from=DE

Joint principles of the Federal Government and the Länder for the operation of unmanned aircraft

https://dipul.de/homepage/de/aktuelle-meldungen/gemeinsame-grundsaetze-des-bundes-und-der-laender/grundsaetze-unbemannte-luftfahrzeuge.pdf

Downloads & Links

Links on hamburg.de

Address and contact information